In 1962, the Medal of Honor for Epidemics was replaced by the Medal of Honor of the Health Service of the Armies, which was created by the Decree of August 30, 1962. It also replaced the Medals of Honor of: (1) the Military Health Service; (2) Health Service of the Navy and (3) Health Service of the Air Force.
The Medal of Honor of the Health Service of the Armies is a 27 mm round medal, engraved by Hubert Ponscarme. The obverse depicts the winged effigy of the Republic surrounded by the inscription, REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE. The reverse contains a rectangular cartouche surmounted by a caduceus and a palm with the curved inscription, MINISTERE DE LA DEFENSE above and the DEVOUENT - SERVICE DE SANTE DES ARMEES below. It is awarded in four classes bronze, silver, vermeil and gold.
The medal is suspended from a 36 mm ribbon of white/blue/white/red/white/blue/white
The bronze medal may be awarded for 10 years of services; the silver medal for 15 years of service, the vermeil medal for 20 years of services and the gold medal only in exceptional cases. Each medal requires that the recipient has earned the prior award. For example, the award of the silver medal requires that the individual has been previously awarded the bronze medal. In exceptional circumstances, particularly during an actual epidemic, these conditions, service time and prior award, may be waived. Holders of the Legion of Honor do not have to qualify for the lower grade medals to be awarded either the silver or vermeil medals. Awards are made on January 1 and July 14 annually, except for exceptional situations.
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