page_title: Croix de guerre (Belgium)
section_title: Award statute
hierarchical_section_title: Croix de guerre (Belgium) / World War II / Award statute
caption_attribution_description: English: Belgian 1940-45 War Cross Français&#160;: Croix de Guerre Belge 1940-45 Unknown oorlogskruis 1940-45
context_page_description: The Croix de guerre or Oorlogskruis, both literally translating as "Cross of War", is a military decoration of the Kingdom of Belgium established by royal decree on 25 October 1915. It was primarily awarded for bravery or other military virtue on the battlefield. The award was reestablished on 20 July 1940 by the Belgian government in exile for recognition of bravery and military virtue during World War II. The post-1940 decoration could also be awarded to units that were cited. The decoration was again reestablished by royal decree on 3 April 1954 for award during future conflicts.
context_section_description: The World War II Croix de guerre was established on 20 July 1940 by the Belgian government in exile, it differed from the World War I version in its statute and slight changes to the reverse of the central medallion and the ribbon.
  It was still mainly awarded to individuals, but was now also authorized as a unit award.  A war cross being presented to a unit was denoted by a ribbon of the war cross being affixed to the unit colours
  The Belgian fourragère was awarded by the Belgian Government to a unit that was cited twice.  Award of the fourragère was not automatic and required a specific decree of the Belgian Government.  The fourragère is in the same colours as the ribbon of the World War II Croix de guerre.  The Belgian fourragère was only worn by those who were members of the unit at the time of the award.
caption: World War II Croix de guerre with Palm (obverse)
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