History

This Medal was founded by Charles Albert, King of Sardinia, but it was the successor of the earlier Medal of Valour instituted by Victor Amadeus III in 1793.

Similar to the earlier valour award, the Medal was awarded to all ranks of military personnel for acts of extraordinary valour and courage in wartime.

The Medal was awarded during the reigns of Victor Emmanuel II (1833-1878), Umberto I (1878-1900), Victor Emmanuel III (1900-1946), and Umberto II (May 1946-June 1946). The obverse and reverse design generally remained the same during the rule of each King, but often the reverse inscription was altered to reflect the conflict in which the recipient participated.

The medals awarded from 1943-1945, in the Social Republic during the reign of Umberto II, replace the emblem of Savoy on the obverse medallion with a sword that has the inscription “ITALIA” in the hilt. There are doubts as to whether the 1943-1946 Italian Socialist Republic versions were ever awarded to their intended recipients.

The Medals awarded from 1887-1943 may be stamped by several engravers, including "F.G.," “F.G. Z.,” “Z,” “S.J.,” “TUA,” “F.AMOROSO,” “C.E.D.,” “38 MI.”

The reverse of the medals may be engraved with the name, date, and region of the recipient.

When the reverse features the name of the recipient, the overall value of the medal increases.

The Bronze Medal was added as a grade in 1887, and it was conferred upon Veterans and active military personnel to recognize any military service rendered since 1848.

See Medal for Valour, ITA240 in the Medals and Decorations of Kingdom of Sardinia & Kingdom of Italy for more information.