France: National Defence Medal, Gold grade, 2 clasps: Marine Nationale and Aeronautique Navale.
Condition: Nearly Extremely Fine
The Medal was instituted by the decree of 21 April 1982 by Charles Hernu, Minister of Defence, from an idea of General de Boissieu (Grand Chancellor of the Légion d’Honneur and former head of the French Army) to reward military on National Service, as well as career soldiers.
The Medal is awarded in three classes - gold, silver and bronze – and awards are based on a complex points system based on length and places of service, good conduct and other factors.