Recusant's insignia

The Recusant's Insignia is a French medal to honour French citizens who evaded the Compulsory Work Service (S.T.O.) in Nazi Germany and therefore participated in the fight against the invader.

The law of August 22, 1950, establishing the status of “recusant”, stated in its first article: "The Republic, grateful to those who accepted all the risks in their fight against the enemy's war potential, considering the suffering and the prejudice that this courageous and patriotic attitude caused them, proclaimed and determined the right to reparation for recusants and their successors.

Thirteen years later, on October 21, 1963, Jean Sainteny, minister for veterans and war victims, signed the decree creating this medal, officially called "Recusant's Insignia" (French: Insigne du réfractaire). The service of the National Office of the Veterans and Victims of War of the department of residence delivers the card of the Recusant authorizing the wearing of this insignia.

The National Recusants' Group (French: Groupement National des Réfractaires) initiated the National Recusant's Day, held annually in France on 6 June.