It is in September 1940 that Doctor MENETREL charged Captain EHRET with designing a badge ' symbolizing the French unit with the orders of his Head, Marshal PETAIN. Its choice was made on the francisque one in the desire symbolically to bring closer two dramatic periods our history. That of 19 centuries ago when the weapon with two edges was carried by the Gallic ones and their Head Vercingétorix at the time of the first great national test from where was to leave our country and that of 1940 with the rallying around the Marshal, of France plunged in the suffering and mourning.

The francisque one was to be "the symbol of the sacrifice and courage and to point out unhappy France reappearing of its ashes".

The project was accepted by the Marshal on September 30, 1940.

But it is the law of October 16 1941 which declared Francisque "distinguished of the Marshal of France Head of the French State" and determined the bases of the new Order and the conditions of attribution.

It is the "Council of Francisque" chaired by the Large Chancellor of the Legion of Honor which had the responsibility of grant decoration intended to reward the services rendered at the French State or to its Head.

The future member elect was to sign his request for attribution and "to have in particular expressed since the war an active attachment with the work and the person of the Marshal". When decoration was given to him, it lent the following oath: "I make gift of my person to Marshal PETAIN like it made gift of his in France. I engage have to serve his disciplines and to remain faithful to his person and have his work ".

There were approximately 2000 holders of this decoration. François (Marie Maurice) MITTERRAND born on October 26, 1916 in Jarnac (Charente), delegated national Service of the students, domiciled in VICHY, 20, National street, had the honor to be one two!

"the Order of Francisque" Publication Henry COSTON