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Presented to Kiffin Rockwell of the Lafayette Escadrille. The Volunteer Combatant's Cross 1914–1918 (French: "Croix du Combattant Volontaire 1914–1918") was a French decoration recognizing those who volunteered to serve in a French combat unit at the Front during World War I. The medal was awarded to both French citizens and foreign nationals serving in the ranks of the French armed forces.

American citizen Kiffin Rockwell volunteered to fly with the French Air Service during World War I prior to the United States' entry into the conflict. Rockwell was the first American pilot to shoot down an enemy aircraft in World War I. He was killed in action in September 1916, the second American airman to die in combat in France.

 Display Status

This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
Object Details
Country of Origin France Type AWARDS-Medals & Ribbons Physical Description Cross of Volunteer Combatants -- Combattant Volontaire; bronze Maltese cross; Obverse: a relief of a French soldier's bust in center disc, surrounded by inscription ring with embossed text "REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE"; Reverse: relief of wheat surrounded by an inscription with embossed text "COMBATTANT VOLONTAIRE" on center disc ring; red, green, and yellow striped ribbon. Dimensions 3-D: 4 × 9 × 0.5cm (1 9/16 × 3 9/16 × 3/16 in.)
 Materials Medal: Bronze
Ribbon: Silk
 Inventory Number A19620114000 Credit Line Donated by Mr. Paul A. Rockwell Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
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