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Category: Italy

The Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus

The Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus is a Roman Catholic dynastic order of knighthood bestowed by the House of Savoy.

The Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus (or Ordine dei Santi Maurizio e Lazzaro in Italian) is a Roman Catholic dynastic order of knighthood bestowed by the House of Savoy, founded in 1572 by Emmanuel Philibert, Duke of Savoy, through amalgamation approved by Pope Gregory XIII of the Order of Saint Maurice, founded in 1434, with the medieval Order of Saint Lazarus, founded circa 1119, considered its sole legitimate successor.

The order was formerly awarded by the Kingdom of Italy (1861–1946) with the heads of the House of Savoy as the Kings of Italy. Originally a chivalric order of noble nature, it was restricted to subjects of noble families with proofs of at least eight noble great-grandparents.

After the abolishment of the monarchy and the foundation of the Italian Republic in 1946, the legacy of the order is maintained by the pretenders of the House of Savoy and the Italian throne in exile.

The order is estimated to include about 2,000 members around the world.

The Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus Medal Design

The badge of the order is in gilt, it displays a white-enameled cross bottony of the Order of Saint Maurice with a green-enameled Maltese Cross (the Cross of the Order of Saint Lazarus) placed between the arms of the cross botonny. The badge of each class except that of Knight and Dame is topped by a gilt crown.

The star of the Order is a silver faceted star, with eight points for Grand Cross and four points for Grand Officer, and with the badge (minus the crown) superimposed upon it.

The breast cross for the Commander “jus patronato” class is identical to the badge, minus the crown.

The ribbon of the Order is apple green, with slight variations for the several classes.

The Supreme Order of the Most Holy Annunciation

The Supreme Order of the Most Holy Annunciation was the pinnacle of the honors system in the Kingdom of Italy.

The Supreme Order of the Most Holy Annunciation (or Ordine Supremo della Santissima Annunziata in Italian) is a Roman Catholic order of knighthood, originating in Savoy.

It was the pinnacle of the honors system in the Kingdom of Italy, which ceased to be a national order when the kingdom became a republic in 1946.

The origins of the Supreme Order of the Most Holy Annunciation begin in 1362, when Amadeus VI, Count of Savoy (1343-1383) instituted the order’s earliest designation, under the title of Order of the Collar. Even at this time, the order was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, who is celebrated as “Our Lady of the Annunciation.” Thus, the order is a dynastic religious (or Catholic) order of chivalry. Under its first formulation, the order had fifteen knights.

Today, the order holds the following other regulations:

  • The number of knights of the Supreme Order of the most Holy Annunciation shall be, as in the past, twenty.
  • The right to appoint knights and officers of the Order appertains exclusively to the Sovereign Head. Nevertheless, when there are vacancies, the Sovereign Head meets with the Chapter of knights to hear their advice on the proposal of candidates whom he alone may select.
  • The knights shall be chosen from distinguished individuals in recognition of their eminent services in high military positions, as well as from those who have distinguished themselves in senior positions in the civil service, and from those who, as private citizens have brought distinction upon Italy as exemplary benefactors of the Nation or of Mankind, or have rendered particularly noteworthy services to the Royal House of Savoy.
  • Knights must have already been awarded the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus.
  • Knights must be Catholic. In rare occasions, a non-Catholic may be awarded the order. However, they may only be honorary members of the order.

The order has only one class, i.e. Knight. The full Italian title is Cavaliere dell’Ordine Supremo della Santissima Annunziata.

The Supreme Order of the Most Holy Annunciation Design

Although the order has only one class, it has two sets of insignia, the Piccola Collana and the Grande Collana. The two hold similar designs, though the Grande Collana has some different features than the Piccola Collana and is worn only on the most special of occasions.

The insignia of the order has the following regulations:

  • The large collar (Grande Collana) is worn on the first day of the year, on the feast of the Most Holy Annunciation, and on all of the principal national holidays and at important royal functions.
  • The small collar (Piccola Collana) is worn on every other occasion which necessitates the display of order insignia.
  • Knights also wear, on the left breast, a star badge bearing the image of Holy Mary of the Annunciation.

Today, the order continues as a dynastic order under the jurisdiction of the Head of the House of Savoy, Vittorio Emanuele, Prince of Naples, who is the order’s hereditary Sovereign and Grand Master.

The War Cross for Military Valor

The War Cross for Military Valor is a decoration for military valor established in 1922. The cross may only be awarded in times of war.

The War Cross for Military Valor (or Croce di guerra al valor militare in Italian) is a decoration for military valor that was established in 1922.

It was created to honor acts of valor in combat by Italian soldiers, recognizing extraordinary bravery and heroism in the face of the enemy. The medal is awarded for individual acts of courage, whether during wartime or in significant military operations. It serves as a testament to the recipient’s gallantry and dedication to duty, reflecting Italy’s rich military tradition and commitment to honoring its courageous service members.

The cross may only be awarded in time of war.

The War Cross for Military Valor Design

The medal is a Greek cross made of copper.

Inscribed on the horizontal arms, in the obverse, is Al Valore Militare (For Military Valor). On the top arm of the cross is the monogram of the Italian Republic. The bottom arm depicts a Roman sword sheathed in bay leaves.

The reverse of the cross depicts a five-pointed star, with rays radiating from behind that star out to the arms of the cross. The cross is suspended from a solid blue ribbon.

The Order of Vittorio Veneto

The military Order of Vittorio Veneto was founded as national order by Giuseppe Saragat in 1968 to express the gratitude of the nation.

The military Order of Vittorio Veneto was founded as a national order by the fifth President of the Italian Republic, Giuseppe Saragat, in 1968, “to express the gratitude of the nation” to those decorated with the Medal and Cross of War for Military Valour who had fought for at least six months in World War I and earlier conflicts.

Awarded in the single degree of Knight, a small annuity was granted in favor of those recipients who did not enjoy an income above their tax allowance, payable to the widow or minor children on death. The allowance was also granted to those that fought in the former Austro-Hungarian armed forces who became Italian citizens after annexation.

The order was bestowed by decree of the President of the Republic, its head, on the recommendation of the Minister of Defence. A Lieutenant General chaired the council, which screened applications made by eligible parties to the municipality of residence. With the death of the last surviving Knights of Vittorio Veneto in 2008, the order fell into abeyance and in 2010, it was formally wound up by repeal of the original legislation.

The Order of Vittorio Veneto Medal Design

The Order of Vittorio Veneto Medal is made of bronze and shaped like a Greek cross with pointed ends to the arms.

The obverse shows a circular central medallion bearing the five-pointed star of the Italian Republic circumscribed ‘ORDINE VITTORIO VENETO’, the arms decorated with oak leaves.

The reverse is a circular central medallion bearing an Adrian helmet, the arms decorated with laurel leaves; on original ribbon.

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The Silver Medal of Military Valor

Time Period: Pre World War I, The Great War
Institution: 21 May 1793
Country: Italy

The Silver Medal of Military Valor (or Medaglia d’argento al valor militare in Italian) is a medal for gallantry.

Italian medals for valor were first instituted by Victor Amadeus III of Sardinia on 21 May 1793, with a gold medal, and, below it, a silver medal. These were intended for junior officers or common soldiers who had distinguished themselves in combat.

Although these medals fell into disuse during the period of Napoleonic domination, they were reinstated on 1 April 1815, by Victor Emmanuel I of Sardinia, who replaced them with the Military Order of Savoy (l’Ordine militare di Savoia), now known as the Military Order of Italy.

In 1833, Charles Albert of Sardinia re-instituted the medals for valor (gold and silver) as awards for noble acts performed by soldiers in both war and peace. During World War I, the medal was awarded to military personnel, units above the level of company and civilians for exceptional valor in the face of the enemy. During World War I, the medal was given out some 38,614 times for individual acts of heroism (compared to 368 Gold Medals and 60,244 Bronze medals). Thus, the Italian Silver Medal for Military Valor is equivalent in frequency and prestige to the British Military Cross, which was awarded some 40,253 times during World War I.

The Silver Medal of Military Valor Design

The Italian Silver Medal of Military Valor is made of silver. The medal measures 33.5 mm in diameter. On the obverse is engraved “VICARIOTTO CLAUDIO” in the centre, surrounded by the engraved inscription “COSTONE DI QUOTA 1940 – KONITZA (FRONTE GRECO) 14 NOV. 1940 XIX” on the reverse.

The Sardinian Crimea Medal 1855-1856

The Sardinian Crimean War Medal is a campaign medal issued by King Victor Emmanuel II for those who participated in the Crimean War.

The Sardinian Crimean War Medal (or Medaglia d’Argento al Valor Militare per la spedizione d’Oriente 1855-1856 in Italian) is a campaign medal issued by King Victor Emmanuel II for those who participated in the Crimean War (1854-1856) against the Russian Empire.

In addition to awards to Sardinians and other allied soldiers, the medal was awarded to 450 specially selected officers and men of the Royal Navy and British Army. Queen Victoria gave permission for the medal to be worn by British servicemen in uniform.

The Sardinian Crimean War Medal Design

The medal is made in silver with a blue watered ribbon. The obverse shows a crown with laurel and palm branch surrounding the arms of Savoy, with the inscription “Al Valore Militare“. In the reverse is inscribed “Spedizione d’Oriente 1854-1856”.

The Order of the Roman Eagle

The Fascist Order of the Roman Eagle was founded in 1942 with civil and military divisions, and abolished in Italy in 1944.

The Fascist Order of the Roman Eagle was founded in 1942 with civil and military divisions and abolished in Italy in 1944 – although it continued to be awarded by Benito Mussolini in the short-lived Italian Social Republic until 1945.

A self-styled order of the same name was founded by Romano Mussolini, fourth and youngest son of Benito Mussolini, in 1997. The separate Order of the Patron Saints of Italy (Ordine dei Santi Patroni d’Italia), St. Francis of Assisi and St. Catherine of Siena, was also conferred by the so-called Republic of Salò between February and April 1945. An organisation of this name was also founded by Romano Mussolini in 1997.

The Fascist Order of the Roman Eagle Design

The medal measures 32 mm diameter.

The Order Insignias consist of a golden Roman Eagle on purple background; the Eagle is fixed on various crosses from Knight to Grand Officer, while it is a plaque for Knights Grand Cross.

On the obverse there are three Fasces. Military medals have two crossed Roman swords behind the image on the foreground, while military crosses have two crossed Roman swords with blade pointing high and passing between the crosses arms.

For the Knight: the Cross is 35 mm and is hanging by a ribbon; it is worn on the chest, left side; Officer: the Cross is 35 mm and is hanging by a ribbon; it is worn on the chest, left side; the ribbon has a rosette; Commander: the Cross is 50 mm and is hanging by a ribbon worn around the neck; Grand Officer: the Cross is 50 mm and is suspended by the ribbon worn around the neck; the Grand Officer also has a 65 mm four-pointed plaque-star. Knight Grand Cross (Gold and Silver): the Cross is 50 mm and is hanging by a band worn over the shoulder, from right to left. Alongside the band, there is a 80 mm eight-pointed plaque-star.

The Military Order of Savoy

The Military Order of Savoy was a military honorary order of the Kingdom of Sardinia first, and of the Kingdom of Italy later.

The Military Order of Savoy was a military honorary order of the Kingdom of Sardinia first, and of the Kingdom of Italy later. Following the abolition of the Italian monarchy, the order became the Military Order of Italy.

The origin of the Military Order of Savoy can be traced back to the first honorary degrees granted by Victor Amadeus III of Sardinia to its soldiers. Later this degree went into disuse because of the Napoleonic regime in Italy and especially in Piedmont. On 1 April 1815 these honorary degrees were used by Victor Emmanuel I of Sardinia and abolished on the 14th of August of the same year.

Later, all of these honorary degrees become part of one, and became, the Military Order of Savoy. This order was to be granted to the soldiers who fought in the Italian army of Napoleon and became part of the Legion of Honor (or either obtained the honorary degree of Order of the Iron Crown) due to military merit. This honorary degree was conceded to everyone no matter what religion or rank the soldier was.

Following the foundation of the Republic, the order was renamed the Military Order of Italy in 1947; it continues to be awarded under that title today.

The Military Order of Savoy Design

The Military Order of Savoy medal is a silver Savoy cross, for the militants, and golden for all the other rankings.

The cross is covered with white and red enamel and surrounded with a laurel crown covered with green enamel. On top of the medal there is the royal crown of Sardinia.

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The Military Order of Italy

The Military Order of Italy (originally of Savoy) is the highest military order of the Italian Republic and the former Kingdom of Italy.

The Military Order of Italy (or Ordine Militare d’Italia in Italian) is the highest military order of the Italian Republic and the former Kingdom of Italy.

It was founded as the Military Order of Savoy, a national order by the King of Sardinia, Vittorio Emanuele I, Duke of Savoy in 1815.

The order is awarded in five degrees for distinguished wartime conduct of units of the armed forces or individual personnel that has “proven expertise, a sense of responsibility and valour.” The order was continued on the unification of Italy in 1861 and was revived, under its new name, following the foundation of the Republic in 1946.

The Military Order of Italy Design

The badge is a golden matuna cross, enameled in white, with a wreath of green-enameled laurel and oak leaves between the arms of the cross.

The obverse during the monarchy was red enamel with a white enamel cross (the current version is in white enamel with the letters R.I. for Repubblica Italiana). The disc is surrounded by a red enamel ring bearing the inscription Al Merito Militare.

The reverse is in red enamel with crossed swords. During the monarchy it had the letters V.E. (for Vittorio Emanuele) on the sides of the sword and the year 1855 above it. The current version has no cypher but has the additional year 1947, the date of the promulgation of the Italian constitution, below the swords. The badge for the three higher classes are suspended by a wreath of green-enamelled laurel and oak leaves; the Officer’s badge is suspended by a golden trophy of arms instead and the Knight’s badge has neither emblems.

The Medal of Aeronautic Valor (Post WW2)

The Medal of Aeronautic Valor is a medal awarded for acts and enterprises of singular courage and skill aboard an aircraft in flight.

The Medal of Aeronautic Valor (or Medaglia al valore aeronautico in Italian) is a medal awarded “for acts and enterprises of singular courage and skill aboard an aircraft in flight.“

Proposals for a medal awarded to aviators had begun as early as 1913 but were put on hold with the outbreak of World War I. The medal was finally instituted by Victor Emmanuel III of Italy‘s decree of 27 November 1927. The criteria for conferral remained virtually unchanged until 1939, when a decree restricted its award solely to members of the Italian military. In 2010, the medal was absorbed into the Italian Military Code. The principal change was the restoration of eligibility to civilians.

Prior to the outbreak of World War II, the recipients were primarily those who had distinguished themselves in air races or had set speed and distance records. However, the medal was also awarded for participation in daring air rescues.

The Medal of Aeronautic Valor Design

From 1927 to 1945 the Obverse of the medal shows a winged horse surrounded by the words “Al Valore Aeronautico”.

The Reverse shows two oak branches with the name of the recipient and the place and date of the award engraved between them.