History

This Medal was originally conferred to recognize the voluntary and meritorious service of military personnel from 1935-1936, in the armed actions of the Italian Army in East Africa. It was also awarded to individuals who had participated in planning the military operations in East Africa. The Medal continued to be awarded for long and faithful personnel who continued to serve in Africa after 1936.

The medal was designed by F. Perrone, and each medal may be stamped with designer and manufacturer marks, such as “Z G.ROMAGNOLI V. PERRONE,” and “S.J. V.PERRONE,” or have no marks at all.

The ribbon may be decorated with a bronze gladius clasp inscribed "FERT" to recognize recipients who had actively fought in East Africa, and with clasps reading "1935," "1936," "1937," "1938," "1939," 1940," to denote a recipient’s years of service.