History

This Medal was founded to reward Italian Red Cross personnel for rendering repeated aid to populations affected by wartime conflicts, and for service in peacetime that supported social progress and humanitarian development.

A recipient's level of merit, and their associated grade of medal, was evaluated and selected by the Central Committee of the Italian Red Cross.

The Medal is also known as the Benemerenti Medal.

When the Medal was awarded for wartime service the ribbon was decorated with a laurel branch clasp. The colour of the laurel branch reflects the grade of medal awarded to the recipient.

The ribbon may be decorated with clasps denoting the region of conflict in which the recipient rendered service, including "BALCANI,” "CAMPAGNA ITALO AUSTRIACA," and "CAMPAGNA ITALO AUSTRIACA 1915-16.” Also, the clasp "BENEMERENZA" was added to ribbons in recognition of local merit, and the clasp "FIDELITAS" was added to ribbons to recognize the service of civilian personnel.