France, Republic. Four French Orders & Awards

Order of Liberation (in bronze, measuring 31.5 mm (w) x 60.5 mm (h), original ribbon); Order of Military Merit, Officer (in bronze gilt, measuring 33.2 mm (w) x 36.3 mm (h), large rosette on its original ribbon); Order of Military Merit, Knight (in silvered bronze, measuring 33.2 mm (w) x 36.3 mm (h), original ribbon); and Order of the Cross of France (in bronze gilt with red enamels, unmarked, measuring 40 mm (w) x 65 mm (h) inclusive of its wreath suspension, on its original full-length neck ribbon). Extremely fine.

Footnote: The Order of Liberation was awarded to heroes of the Liberation of France during the Second World War. It is a very high honour, second only after the Legion of Honour. Very few people, military units and communes were ever awarded it; and only for their deeds during the Second World War. A different order, the Resistance Medal, was created and awarded for lesser but still distinguished deeds by members of the Resistance. The Order of Military Merit, created by Law No. 57-353 of March 22, 1957, was intended to reward, in time of peace, the voluntary activities of reserve cadres, in the training of Reserves and the preparation of national defense. It could also be awarded to executives active in the training of reserves outside their usual job. This order replaced the Cross of Voluntary Military Services which was created in 1934. The Order of Military Merit was issued in three classes: Commander, Officer and Knight. 

This offering is a part of the "Dr. Albert Goodwin Collection", a preeminent assemblage of world Orders, Medals, and Decorations composed solely by Dr.Goodwin between 1946-1967. Dr. Goodwin had a successful career as an educator and prominent physician in New York as well as actively serving in both World Wars with the United States Medical Corps. He acted as both President and Vice-President of the Orders and Medals Society of America (OMSA) and is responsible for organizing their first convention in 1960. He maintained further membership with the American Society of Military Collectors, the International Orders Research Society, and the American Numismatic Society. His knowledge and passion for history and awards is evident in this meticulously compiled collection that is now available in its entirety for the first time exclusively on eMedals.com.