The French Croix De Guerre may either be bestowed as a unit award or to individuals who distinguish themselves by acts of heroism involving combat with enemy forces. The French Croix De Guerre medal is also awarded to those who have been "mentioned in despatches", meaning a heroic deed was performed meriting a citation from an individual's headquarters unit. The unit award of the French Croix De Guerre was issued to military commands who performed heroic deeds in combat and were subsequently recognized by headquarters.