This award was instituted in April 1915, some two million being awarded to the French Army up to 1920. Many thousands were also awarded to Allied troops. The bronze star denotes Brigade or Battalion mention in despatches.

This silver award, struck by the Ministry of the Interior for Land Gallantry (eg coal mines, etc), comes with an original, but fragmentary, silk ribbon. The medal is 30mm in diameter. The inscription on the back is: 'MINISTERE DE L'INTERIEUR' around 'ACTES DE DEVOUMENT' in the centre.