The National Security Voluntary Militia’s Long Service Cross

• Time Period: Interwars Period
• Institution: 23 January 1933
• Country: Italy

The National Security Voluntary Militia’s Long Service Cross (or Milizia Volontaria per la Sicurezza Nazionale in Italian) is a medal established in Italy on 23 January 1933 by royal decree and awarded for 10 years of good services within the militia.

In 1943, it became necessary to also create a decoration for 20 years service. Due to the critical wartime situation, the decision was made to not strike a new cross with a 20 year reverse but instead to institute a ribbon device. This device, a Roman swords colored red, was instituted on 28 January 1943.

The National Security Voluntary Militia’s Long Service Cross Design

The medal is a cross-pathée with fasces between the arms. It’s struck in bronze and measures 38 mm wide by 42.3 mm high. The suspension is a laterally-pierced ball.

The obverse shows the initials ‘MVSN’ for the Milizia Volontaria per la Sicurezza Nazionale (National Security Volunteer Militia), popularly referred to at the ‘Blackshirts’.

The reverse has the inscription “DIECI / ANNI” (Ten Years).