FRANCE MILITARY MEDAL Military medal of the Third Republic, presented to Charles de Gaulle in 1944 Silver plated, gilt and sky blue enamel. With ribbon. With wearing bar and decoration reminder. 45 x 27 cm Enclosed is the mailing envelope addressed to General de Gaulle at two addresses (one crossed out: Ministère de la Guerre, boulevard St Germain 231, Quai Branly Paris VII and Colombey les 2 églises) and an envelope in Philippe de Gaulle's hand annotated "Médaille militaire envoyée à mon père peu après la libération de Paris 1944" ("Military medal sent to my father shortly after the liberation of Paris in 1944"). Historical background: This military medal, an extremely rare mark of honour when awarded to a general officer, was reportedly vigorously refused by the person concerned. There is indeed evidence of a desire to decorate General de Gaulle with the military medal on 8 May 1945, which he is said to have refused. We do not know the reasons for this refusal, but several facts may explain it: the General's great sobriety (which can also be seen in his phaleristics); we can also assume that the indictment at the same time of the most important recipient of the military medal, Marshal Pétain (who only appeared in court with this decoration), explained this choice. Provenance : - Charles de Gaulle (1890-1970) - Then Admiral Philippe de Gaulle (1921-2024) - Then descendants