The Croix de guerre 1939-1945 (Cross of War) is a French military decoration . Medal designed by the sculptor Paul-Albert Bartholom?. It is 37 mm in diameter showing four arms and two crossed swords . The center of the front side shows the symbolic profile of the French Republic : a young woman wearing a Phrygian cap . A bronze star for those who had been mentioned at the regiment or brigade level , a silver star , for those who had been mentioned at the division level , a silvergilt star for those who had been mentioned at the corps level , a bronze palm for those who had been mentioned at the army level . France .