In addition to the Decoration of the Legion of Honour, the Emperor of the French sent the French Military War Medal for distribution to a proportion of the British Army. The ribbon is orange, watered, with a broad green stripe on the edges; the imperial eagle, in gold, surmounts a medal, the obverse bearing the head of the Emperor, with the words "Louis Napoleon" in gilt letters on a blue enamelled circle, within a wreath of laurel in silver; the reverse has the words "Valeur et Discipline" [PB: Valour and Discipline - the word "Valeur" means Value or Worth as well as Valour] on a gold ground, within a circle of blue enamel and wreath of silver laurel.
[PB, Jan 2014: "Valeur et Discipline" - Valour and Discipline. Interestingly, the word "Valeur" means Value or Worth as well as Valour.]
The deeds of the following non-commissioned officers and men, who were selected for recommendation to His Majesty, to receive the above Medal, not only furnish exciting episodes, but are valuable as examples of military daring, endurance, and kind-heartedness.
FOURTH LIGHT DRAGOONS
Regimental Sergeant-Major James W. Kelly, Sergeant John Andrews, Private Thomas Guthrie, and Private George McGregor. Gallant and distinguished conduct in the charge of the Light Cavalry Brigade on the 25th of October, 1854. Served during the whole campaigns of 1854-5. Were present at the battles of the Alma, Balaklava, Inkermann, Traktir, and expedition to Eupatorla in October, 1855...
EIGHTH HUSSARS
Troop Sergeant-Major John Pickworth, Sergeant Charles Macauley, Corporal James Donaghue, and Private John Martin. These men charged with the Light Brigade at Balaklava; were also present in the ranks at the Alma and Inkermann, and served with the regiment throughout the war.
ELEVENTH HUSSARS
Troop Sergeant-Major Rourke Teevan. Present at the battles of the Alma and Balaklava, in which latter he led a troop and behaved gallantly. Was also present at the battle of Inkermann. Sergeant Seth Bond. Battles of the Alma, Balaklava, and Inkermann. At the Alma, when ordered to pursue and capture prisoners, he exhibited great subordination in sparing (at the suggestion of a staff officer) a Russian, who had wounded him, and also at the action of Balaklava his coolness and gallantry were noticed.
Lance-Corporal Thomas Harrison. The battles of the Alma and Balaklava, where he behaved very gallantly in galloping to the rescue of several comrades who were fighting against overwhelming odds. Was also present at the battle of Inkermann.
Private Cornelius Teehan. Battles of the Alma and Balaklava, where he behaved gallantly. Was also at the battle of Inkermann. All served the campaign in Bulgaria, in 1854, and were present at the affair of Bouljanak, and throughout the campaign in the Crimea from 1854 to 1856.
Regimental Sergeant-Major G. L. Smith Recommended by the vote of his comrades, who with himself returned from the Crimea previous to the first issue of the French medal. Served until the 25th of January, 1856, and was present at the battles of the Alma, Balaklava, and Inkermann. Horse shot under him at Balaklava, where he behaved gallantly...
THIRTEENTH LIGHT DRAGOONS
Regimental Sergeant-Major Thomas G. Johnson. Served the Eastern Campaign, including the reconnoissance on the Danube under the Earl of Cardigan, battles of Balaklava and Inkermann, siege of Sebastopol, and expedition to Eupatoria.
Sergeant Richard Davis, and Privates George Dearlove and John Fenton. Served the Eastern Campaign, including the affairs of Bouljanak and McKenzie's Farm, battles of the Alma, Balaklava, and Inkermann, siege of Sebastopol, and expedition to Eupatoria.
SEVENTEENTH LANCERS
Regimental Sergeant-Major Charles Wooden, Sergeants John Shearingham and James Nunnerly, and Private Charles Watson. Alma, Balaklava, and Inkermann, and were never absent from their duties.
[Source: Thomas Carter, Medals of the British Army: The Crimean Campaign, London, 1861, pp. 109-112. Available online in various formats at https://archive.org/details/medalsbritishar01cartgoog (accessed 22.1.2014). NB The text above is the result of OCR and has not been checked against the original. Names and numbers are particularly unreliable.]
See also the Wikipedia article on the Medaille Militaire at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Médaille_militaire (accessed 22.1.2014).