Thanks to a former colleague (N.M.) and follower of this blog the significance of the mystery medal (posted two days ago) has been solved.  I could not be more thankful for his discovery and Jeanine is thrilled with the result.  My assumption that it was a military medal had me searching in all the wrong places.

The French Academic Palms recognizes those who have rendered eminent service to French education and have contributed actively to the prestige of French culture.  For those who are named and promoted in the Order of the French Academic Palms (l’Ordre des Palmes académiques), this esteemed distinction acknowledges their merits, talents, and exemplary activities.

Napoleon I first created the palmes académiques as an honorary title to recognize members of the University in 1808.  The academic palms became a decoration in 1866, under Napoléon III, at which time the honor was also extended to non-teaching persons who had rendered illustrious service to French education. Thus, the academic palms is the oldest non-military French decoration.

By decree of Président René Coty, the Order of the Academic Palms was instituted in 1955 as the first of ministerial orders recognized by the French Republic and was defined by three ranks: Chevalier (Knight), Officier (Officer), and Commandeur (Commander).  Jeanine’s grandfather’s medal corresponds to the rank of Officier.

Details beyond the ones I have already copied here can be found at https://www.frenchacademicpalms.org/information.html