Editing Violette Szabo (section)

==Awards and honours==
[[File:George Cross.jpg|thumb|100px|[[George Cross]] and its [[ribbon bar]]]]

Szabo was the second woman to be awarded the [[George Cross]], bestowed posthumously on 17 December 1946.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.marionhebblethwaite.co.uk/gcindex.htm |title=George Cross facts |publisher=Marionhebblethwaite.co.uk |access-date=25 September 2013 |archive-date=9 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180909184851/http://www.marionhebblethwaite.co.uk/gcindex.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> The citation was published in the ''[[London Gazette]]'' and read:<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=37820 |supp=y |page=6127 |date=13 December 1946 }}</ref>

{{blockquote|''St. James's Palace, S.W.1. 17 December 1946''

[[George VI of the United Kingdom|The KING]] has been graciously pleased to award the GEORGE CROSS to: —

Violette, Madame SZABO (deceased), Women's Transport Service (First Aid Nursing Yeomanry).

Madame Szabo volunteered to undertake a particularly dangerous mission in France. She was parachuted into France in April 1944, and undertook the task with enthusiasm. In her execution of the delicate researches entailed she showed great presence of mind and astuteness. She was twice arrested by the German security authorities but each time managed to get away. Eventually, however, with other members of her group, she was surrounded by the Gestapo in a house in the south-west of France. Resistance appeared hopeless but Madame Szabo, seizing a Sten-gun and as much ammunition as she could carry, barricaded herself in part of the house and, exchanging shot for shot with the enemy, killed or wounded several of them. By constant movement, she avoided being cornered and fought until she dropped exhausted. She was arrested and had to undergo solitary confinement. She was then continuously and atrociously tortured but never by word or deed gave away any of her acquaintances or told the enemy anything of any value. She was ultimately executed. Madame Szabo gave a magnificent example of courage and steadfastness.}}

The ''[[Croix de Guerre 1939–1945|croix de guerre avec étoile de bronze]]'' was awarded by the French government in 1947 and the [[Médaille de la Résistance]] in 1973. As one of the SOE agents who died for the liberation of France, [[Lieutenant]] Violette Szabo, FANY, is listed on the [[Valençay SOE Memorial]].

Both Violette and Étienne Szabo were awarded the French [[Croix de Guerre]] for their bravery in the field. On 28 January 1947 their four-year-old daughter Tania was presented with Violette's George Cross (gazetted on 17 December 1946) from King [[George VI]] on behalf of her late mother. Violette and Étienne Szabo are believed to be the most decorated married couple of the Second World War.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/who-was-violette-szabo |title=Who Was Violette Szabo? |publisher=Imperial War Museum |access-date=28 January 2023}}</ref>{{sfn|Ottaway|2003|p=158}}{{efn|Odette Sansom and Peter Churchill did not marry until 1947 (dissolved 1956)}}

On 22 July 2015, Violette Szabo's medals and numerous associated items<ref>{{cite web|last1=Erskine-Hill|first1=David|title=The Important Posthumous Second World War George Cross Group awarded to Violette Szabó→|url=http://www.dnw.co.uk/media/auction_catalogues/The%20Important%20Posthumous%20George%20Cross%20Group%20to%20Violette%20Szab%C3%B3%2022%20Jul%2015.pdf |publisher=[[Dix Noonan Webb]]|access-date=23 July 2015}}</ref> were sold at auction, realising £260,000 (£312,000 including [[buyer's premium]]).<ref>{{cite web|title=Auction report Lot 1|url=http://www.dnw.co.uk/auction-archive/auction-reports/report.php?report_id=570|publisher=Dix Noonan Webb|access-date=23 July 2015|archive-date=23 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150723185439/http://www.dnw.co.uk/auction-archive/auction-reports/report.php?report_id=570|url-status=dead}}</ref> The purchaser was [[Lord Ashcroft]],<ref>{{cite web|last1=Ashcroft|first1=Michael|title=Why I am proud to add the Violette Szabó medal group to my collection|url=http://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2015/07/lord-ashcroft-why-i-am-proud-to-add-the-violette-szabo-medal-group-to-my-collection%E2%80%A8.html|publisher=Conservative Home|access-date=23 July 2015}}</ref> who placed the George Cross on permanent display at the [[Imperial War Museum]] from 7 October 2015.<ref>{{cite web|title=Violette Szabó's George Cross goes on display at Imperial War Museum London|url=http://www.iwm.org.uk/sites/default/files/press-release/Violette%20Szabo%20Press%20Release.pdf|publisher=IWM|access-date=19 October 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Second World War secret agent's George Cross goes on display at Imperial War Museum|date=7 October 2015|url=http://www.itv.com/news/london/2015-10-07/second-world-war-secret-agents-george-cross-goes-on-display-at-imperial-war-museum/|publisher=ITV News|access-date=19 October 2015}}</ref>