The Medal of the Patriot, outlawed and forced to reside in enemy country

Instituted on 27 December 1954, this silvered bronze medal was awarded to persons of French origin, living in the Alsace and Lorraine provinces (once part of Germany) who, because of their patriotism, were arrested by the Germans and interned for a minimum period of three months.

The Medal for those Deported and Interned for Resistance Activities

This pentagonal medal was created on 6 August 1948 for those who, because of their resistance activities, were imprisoned for at least 3 months either in a French prison or, having been deported, in a prison or concentration camp outside France.

The ribbon indicates the difference : diagonal stripes for imprisonment in France, vertical stripes for deportees. The ribbon colours used are pale blue and white (symbolising the concentration camp uniform) with red edge stripes. Bars with either "DEPORTE" or "INTERNE" can be found on the ribbon but I have no further particulars on why these were added, the ribbon being already an indication of the recipient's status (feel free to inform me !).

The medal's obverse depicts two chained hands against a background of flames. The medal was made available retroactively to those who had undergone a similar fate in WW1 and this was indicated by a bar "1914-1918" on the ribbon.

The Medal for those Deported and Interned for Political Activities

On 9 September 1948, those deported or interned for political reasons were also recognized by the institution of a medal.

This circular medal has a different design but very similar ribbons when compared to the previous medal (awarded to persons having suffered the same fate but for resistance activities) : the red edge stripes were changed to yellow for this medal, otherwise the ribbons are identical.  As with the preceding medal, bars with either "DEPORTE" or "INTERNE" can be found on the ribbon and similarly a bar "1914-1918" denotes a retroactive WW1 award. Combinations of the two also exist but are probably unofficial.