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
Instituted in 1927, it is awarded at three levels: Gold, Silver and Bronze.
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.
