Corporal of the Arditi

[Valerio]

Hi everyone,

 

with this post, I would like to share with you the history and memorabilia of my great-grandfather, a soldier who served Italy within the elite troops of the Great War. This is a collection of documents and items that belonged to a member of the XXVII Reparto d'Assalto, one of the most famous and decorated units of the entire Arditi corps.

Through this grouping, we can retrace not only his military career but also his private life and the recognition the State bestowed upon him in the years following the conflict.

Here is a detailed look at the elements that make up this extraordinary historical testimony:

• 1. Personal Documents: A collection of official records, including his birth certificate, marriage certificate, and subsequent pension applications.
• 2. Service Record: The fundamental document for any historical research, where promotions, campaigns, and the soldier's performance notes are recorded.
• 3. Letter of Commendation (1918): A very rare and touching piece. It is a handwritten letter from the battalion commander (Luigi Freguglia) shortly after the end of the war, expressing honor and deep esteem for the courage shown by my great-grandfather.
• 4. Pension Books: Documentation regarding social security and economic support post-conflict.
• 5. The Arditi Dagger: The symbolic weapon of these units. As per tradition, it was made by shortening old bayonets to create an agile and lethal close-combat weapon, perfect for trench raids.
• 6. Identity and Annuity: His identity card and the official certificate of enrollment for the annuity linked to the decorations earned in the war.
• 7. Uniform Insignia: The iconic black "two-point" collar patches and the Arditi arm badge (the gladius with a laurel wreath), which identified him as assault troops.
• 8. Knight of Vittorio Veneto: The original diploma certifying the honor of Cavaliere dell'Ordine di Vittorio Veneto, awarded to veterans who fought for at least six months during World War I.
• 9. Medal for Military Valor Diploma: The official document for the award of the Bronze Medal for Military Valor, certifying an act of bravery performed on the field.
• 10. Complete Medal Set: The display case containing all his original honors and decorations.

 

 

Analyzing the Medal Display (Point 10)

 

In the left quadrant:

We find the War Merit Cross (Croce al Merito di Guerra), followed by the Volunteer Merit Medal (Medaglia di Benemerenza per i Volontari), characterized by its red ribbon. Below is the Commemorative Medal for the Italo-Austrian War, known as "Enemy Bronze" (Bronzo Nemico) because it was struck from the metal of captured enemy cannons; this piece features 4 bronze bars, one for each year spent in the war zone. In the bottom right of this section, the quadrant concludes with the Medal in Memory of the Unification of Italy, with its classic tricolor ribbon.

 

In the right quadrant:

In the top right stands the Cross of the Order of Vittorio Veneto (Croce dell'Ordine di Vittorio Veneto), while to the left we find the Allied Victory Medal (Medaglia Interalleata della Vittoria). Positioned at the bottom is the Gold Medal for the Anniversary of the Victory and, finally, in the bottom right, the Arditi Cross. The latter is not an official state honor, but an exclusive and highly prestigious award granted only to those who served in the assault units.

 

In the center:

At the bottom center of the display is the ANMIG badge (National Association of Wounded and Disabled Veterans). This symbol certifies that my great-grandfather was wounded in combat specifically, he was shot in the chest. Historically, this badge is roughly comparable to the Purple Heart, as it identifies those wounded in action for their country.

At the top center, with the blue ribbon, is the most important honor: the Medal for Military Valor (Medaglia al Valor Militare). It was awarded to him for an act of immense bravery: saving a fellow soldier, on his own initiative and alone, voluntarily exposing himself to direct fire from an enemy machine gun. The Medal for Military Valor is comparable to high-level U.S. decorations such as the Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, or Silver Star.

 

 

Random pictures of Arditi in the WWI
 

 

 

 

As I previously mentioned in a post on USMF, my great-grandfather and my entire family collaborated with the partisans and the Allies during World War II for the liberation of Italy.

 

I hope this grouping is of interest to you. It is an honor for me to be able to preserve the memory of a man who was part of such a legendary unit.

 

[Bearzot]

Bravíssimo, Valerio! What a spectacular set, and how pleasing it is to see a family member valuing history by preserving everything with such care and dedication. It’s hard to say what stands out the most; The Arditi dagger, the bullion sleeve insignia, the Arditi Cross, the ANMIG pin, or the Medaglia al Valor Militare.

Do you happen to have a photo of him wearing the uniform during the war? I would be happy to see more images, especially close-ups, including the veteran’s portrait.

[RRA227]

Great group.  Rich A. in Pa.

[Valerio]

Thank you so much

Unfortunately, I don’t have a photo of him in uniform yet. I am still searching for one.
 

However, I have many photos of the Arditi in the exact area where he fought, and there's a good chance he is in one of them. Specifically, there is a photo dated June 17, 1918, showing an Italian soldier rescuing a wounded comrade under heavy enemy machine-gun fire.

This is the exact same date and action for which he was awarded his Medaglia al Valor Militare. Based on the official documents and the stories he used to tell, the details of that photo match his story 100%.

Since his face isn't clearly visible, I can't be 100% certain it is him. Those photos remain incredibly precious to me even if it's not him, they show his comrades and the very ground where he fought.

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

The Arditi Cross is one of my favorite medals!                                                            

 

But he was absolutely very proud of the Medaglia al Valore

 

 

I am currently working on research about some veterans and I hope to publish a few articles soon. Among these veterans, he will obviously be included.

 

[ScottG]

Really a fantastic story and so glad you are saving his items and telling his story for future generations. I hope you find a photo of him in uniform.   Scott

[Valerio]

I'm glad you like it, thank you so much