France, Republic. A First War Group of Captain Louis Marie Édouard Houdard, 156e Régiment d’Infanterie

Comprising:

1. (Croix de Guerre 1914-15) War Cross 1914-1915, with three bronze palms and a bronze star on original ribbon, 37 mm x 46 mm, awarded for repeated citations at the Army level including engagements at Neuville-Saint-Vaast, the Lorraine front, and the Chemin des Dames. Ribbon shows signs of wear, near perfect condition. 
2. (Орден Белог орла V реда са мачевима) Kingdom of Serbia, Order of the White Eagle, 5th Class with Swords, in silver and enamels, with original ribbon, awarded for bravery in the field, documented by the official procès-verbal of 20 March 1917. 34 mm x 61 mm. Front enamels show slight signs of opaqueness, ribbon shows signs of wear. 
3. (Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur) France, Legion of Honour, Knight’s Badge , in silver, gilt, and enamels, with original ribbon, awarded 18 July 1916 for courage and moral conduct after multiple wounds. 42 mm x 62 mm. Ribbon shows signs of wear, small enamel staining in white ray with bent finial. In good condition.  
4. (Insigne des Blessés Militaires) Wound Decoration, ribbon with red stripe, awarded for his three wartime wounds (wrist, neck, chest), officially recognized.
5. Extensive associated archive, including: official citations and promotion certificates, named orders of the regiment and army, brevet certificates, correspondence from the Ministry of War and the Presidency of the Republic, letters of condolence and reports on his disappearance in May 1918, material relating to his mother’s long search for news of him, newspaper clippings, religious notes and reflections, as well as period photographs including a framed portrait of Captain Houdard in uniform.

6.    A pair of tunic buttons belonging to Captain Houdard comprising a front jacket closing button and a pocket button. 

7.    Légion d’Honneur presentation scroll and official awarding tube for document. 

8.   6th Corps citation scroll for 10th November 1915 for continuing to his command with energy and courage while injured. Signed by 6th Corps              Army commander General of Division Ernest Joseph Antoine Aubrun. 

9.   6th Corps citation scroll for 13th December 1915 for maintaining control of his position during a grenade engagement with the enemy.  Signed by 6th Corps Army commander General of Division Ernest Joseph Antoine Aubrun.  

10.   An army citation scroll signed by Marshall Petain for an engagement at Neuville-Saint-Vaast with a date of 6th June 1918. 

The medals are mounted on a display board which at one point of time was part of a framed display, with period photograph, newspaper cutouts, documents, award certificates, and an extensive collection of correspondence from 1914 until Captain Houdard's death and followed by the extensive correspondence of his mother looking for information on his disappeared son.  All preserved with some wear consistent with age. A large and poignant group, to a highly decorated officer of the 156e Régiment d’Infanterie, three times wounded, cited repeatedly for gallantry, and remembered for his religious conviction and devotion to duty. Condition ranges from very fine to extremely fine,