Colonial Medal reverse	Overseas Medal reverse

The "Médaille d'Outre-Mer" became the Colonial Medal's successor on 6 June 1962. The change was made apparent by substituting the inscription on the medal's reverse. Particular operations in which the recipient took part are commemorated by gilt clasps on the ribbon but service (minimum 6 years) in certain overseas areas entitled one to wear the Overseas Medal without clasp.

Manufacturers obviously tended to change as little as possible to make the conversion from the Colonial Medal to the new medal and, therefore, the various types of the Overseas Medal are very similar to the former. At least one unknown manufacturer's model has already been reported but known manufacturers are :

Monnaie de Paris (Paris Mint)

Arthus-Bertrand

Aubert Bacqueville

Delande

Mourgeon

A. Marie Stuart

Official ribbon clasps to date (all are gilded) are :

	for operations in that theatre since 15 March 1969
	for operations between 1 November 1977 and 1 July 1990
	for operations from 22 March 1978 onwards
	for operations between 13 May 1978 and 1 July 1990
	for operations between 30 July 1987 and 1 July 1990
	min. 30 days service from 2 August 1990 onwards
	min. 30 days service  from 12 November 1991 onwards
	min. 30 days service from 7 December 1992 onwards
	min. 7 days service between 22 June and 30 September 1994
	min. 7 days service between 18 May 1996 and 20 February 1997 or between 20 June 1997 and 15 April 1998
	min. 7 days service  from 6 June 1997
	min. 15 days service from 19 September 2002 onwards
	min. 15 days between 2 June and 26 September 2003

An example of a certificate for this medal, as awarded to a French Foreign Legion NCO for the Tchad operations, can be seen here (courtesy of Richard Mackay)

Many thanks is due to Mr. M. Champenois (website : http://www.france-phaleristique.com/index.htm) for his invaluable help in ascertaining the correct information on these bars.