Italian War Merit Cross (Croce al Merito di Guerra)

[stratasfan]

Italy's War Merit Cross was instituted in 1918, and while undergoing some changes during the 20th Century, it is still awarded today. There are several criteria that this decoration can be given for:

 

• For war merit in land, sea, or air operations either for at least five months service in a war zone or elsewhere in contact with the enemy.
• To those who were wounded in action and who had earned the award of the Medal for Wounded or had fallen in action.
• To those who had performed acts of bravery but not warranting the award of the Medaglia al valore militare (Medal for Military Valor).
• For those who had received promotion for a mention for war merit.

 

This decoration was awarded to most of the Armed Forces active fighters in WWI and WWII, as well as personnel who actively fought in the Italo-Ethiopian was (1935-36), as it did not always require execution of acts of particular military value or merit.

 

Awarded to military personnel and militarized people who had recognise service of at least five months in a war zone; to seafarers who completed service of at least 100 days of active sea service; to flight personnel who completed at least sixty hours of flight in a war zone. 

 

Also awarded to any soldiers, sailors or airmen who had been captured and deported (for longer than five months) to Germany or German-controlled territories after Sept 1943.

 

All the fallen, missing and German or Japanese prison camp casualties were posthumously awarded the War Merit Cross.

 

There are multiple versions of this medal - one awarded by the Kingdom of Italy and one by the Italian Republic. There was a version approved by the Italian Social Republic late in WWII, but it was never adopted. 

 

DESCRIPTION

Kingdom of Italy 

Obverse: A Greek cross bearing the inscription "MERITO DI GUERRA" on the two horizontal arms. On the vertical arm at the top is the crowned monogram of Vittorio Emanuele III, who instituted the decoration. At the bottom there is a Roman gladius, surrounded by laurel. Reverse: A five-pointed star, radiant on the arms of the cross.

 

Italian Republic

Obverse: A Greek Cross bearing the inscription "Merito Di Guerra" across the horizontal arms. On the top vertical arm is the monogram of the Italian Republic. At the bottom there is a Roman gladius, surrounded by laurel. Reverse: A five-pointed star, radiant on the arms of the cross.

 

MULTIPLE AWARDS

Originally, the War Merit Cross could only be awarded three times, with each subsequent award indicated by a small bronze crown affixed to the drape (and/or ribbon). In 1938, it was changed to a maximum of 3 awards per war. December 1942, it was changed to allow up to ten awards (although only one Cross could be awarded each 12 month period), but only a single decoration with devices to indicate multiple awards could be worn.

 

In September 1947, the Italian Republic amended it once again, and it was limited again. Never more than one Cross for each period of 12 consecutive months in war, and a limit of three per conflict, even if the war lasted more than 36 months. Recipients of Crosses from multiple wars are entitled to wear one ribbon/one insignia for each war. Consecutive awards for the same war are indicated by one or two 5-pointed bronze stars applied to the ribbon.

 

DEVICES

1918-1942: For original and each subsequent award:

1. Plain ribbon without crowns
2. 1 Bronze Crown
3. 2 Bronze Crowns

 

1942-47: For original and each subsequent award:

 

1. Plain ribbon without crowns
2. 1 Bronze Crown
3. 1 Silver Crown
4. 1 Gold Crown
5. 1 Bronze and 1 Gold Crown
6. 1 Silver Crown and 1 Gold Crown
7. 2 Gold Crowns
8. 1 Bronze Crown and 2 Gold Crowns
9. 1 Silver Crown and 2 Gold Crowns
10. 3 Gold Crowns

 

1947-present: 

1. Plain Ribbon without Crowns
2. 1 Bronze Star
3. 2 Bronze Stars

 

Front:

(Kingdom of Italy version)

 

 

Back:

(Kingdom of Italy Version)

 

 

If you have one of these medals to show, a picture of a soldier wearing it, or a story about this medal being awarded/earned . . . please feel free to share it here!

[S.ChrisKelly]

From my collection:

 

[RRA227]

Nice minature.  Rich A. in Pa.

[S.ChrisKelly]

Sources:

 

https://miles.forumcommunity.net/?t=54147945&st=105

 

https://miles.forumcommunity.net/?t=61602645

 

https://www.numismaticaranieri.it/archivioscheda/15039-regno-ditalia-vittorio-emanuele-iii-1900-1943-croce-al-valore-militare-1941.aspx

 

[S.ChrisKelly]

Source:

 

https://attinghamww1stories.wordpress.com/2021/01/16/medals-of-achievement-after-the-war/

 

[Bearzot]

My contribution: a set acquired separately after obtaining the photo of the Bersagliere.