HomeVeterans of the 104th Division qualify for medals issued by foreign countries as listed below.
Those who served in Europe with the 104th, for any period of time, qualify for the following:
France
Croix du Combatant Voluntaire (1939-1945) (Combat Service)
(For service in a combat unit 1 Sept '39 - 8 May '45)
Medaille Commemorative de la Guerre (1939-1945) (Allied Service Medal)
(For Allies who served anywhere outside their Homeland)
Medaille des Services Volontaires dans la France Libre (Cross of Lorraine)
(All US Army units that participated in liberation of the Vosges, Alsace-Lorraine area are eligible)
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Those with the division while in France, also qualify for:
Medaille de la France Liberee (Medal of the Liberated France)
(For service in France between 25 June '40 & 8 May '45)
Medaille de Jubile (Normandy Commemorative Medal)
(For service in Normandy 6 June - 15 Sept '44)
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Also, 104th veterans may qualify for the following:
Croix du Combatant de la Resistance (if a POW)
Medaille des Blesses (if awarded a US Purple Heart)
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Belgium
All of
the 104th earned Belgian medals for liberating their country,
even if they did not serve on Belgian soil.
Medaille Commemorative (1940-1945) (Commemorative Service Medal)
Medaille de la Reconnaissance (Patria Grata 1940-1945) (Gratitude Medal)
Medaille du Volontaire (Volontaris 1940-1945) (Allied Service Medal)
Yogoslavia
The Royal Yugoslav Commemorative War Cross 1941-1945
For all who served in the military forces of the western allies.
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Those with the division in Holland, qualify for:
The Netherlands
Netherlands Cross of Liberation ("The Wilhemina")
For Allies who participated, in country, in the liberation of the Netherlands
Het Verzetsherdenkingskruis (Resistance Commemoration Medal)
Awarded to six US Army divisions, including the 104th, who had a part in the liberation of Holland.
This was awarded to units only & is not to be worn by individuals.
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Certain Timberwolves also were awarded individual foreign decorations, these included:
British
Distinguished Service Order
British Military Cross
British Military Medal
British Distinguished Conduct Medal
French
Legion d`Honneur- grade of Chevalier
Croix de guerre
Soviet
Order of Suvorov
Class II (gold)
Class III (silver)
Order of Alexander Nevsky
Canadian
The
"History of the 413th Infantry Regiment" states, "Decorations were awarded
to several
staff officers by the Canadians" (No further details were given).
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Wearing of Awards: "The policy has been expanded to permit former soldiers to wear FULL-SIZE or miniature medals on civilian attire on Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Armed Forces Day."
Site maintained by Peter Branton, National Timberwolf Association Member