(1890-1970)

1,038 individuals, five French communes and 18 combat units are Companions of the Liberation. Just over 700 Companions survived the war. 270 were acknowledged posthumously. 50 already-acknowledged Companions were killed in action or in the line of duty before the war ended.

General de Gaulle's consideration of the chance to create a new decoration led him to found a commission on 19 July 1942 to “recognise the remarkable acts of faith and bravery which, in France, throughout the Empire and abroad, have been contributing to the resistance of the French people against th

General de Gaulle, founder of the Order of Liberation, was its only grand master. Following his death on 9 November 1970, the Council of the Order of Liberation decided there would be no successor. When it was first established, a chancellor was appointed to run the institution.

The Museum of the Order of Liberation is dedicated to the order founded by General de Gaulle during World War II and to the Companions of the Order of Liberation.