War Merit Cross (Italy)

War Merit Cross, lapel

The War Merit Cross ( Italian : Croce al merito di guerra ), not to be confused with the "Croce di Guerra al Valore Militare", was awarded on January 18, 1918 by King Vittorio Emanuele III. Donated by Italy and awarded to members of the Italian armed forces who have proven themselves during a long war mission. A loan to foreigners is permitted.

The award is a simple cross made of bronze with a five-pointed star in the middle. The inscription MERITO DI GVERRA (war merit ) horizontally on the reverse . In the lower arm of the cross a vertical sword , which is surrounded by oak branches . Until the end of the monarchy in Italy in 1949, the crowned and entwined initials VE (Vittorio Emanuele) and below the Roman numeral III could be seen in the upper cross arm . Since the proclamation of the republic, the award has been given with the code RI (Repubblica Italiana).

The award is worn on a blue ribbon with two white central stripes on the left side of the chest.

literature

• Paul Ohm Hieronymussen: Handbook of European orders in colors. Universitas Verlag, Berlin 1975, ISBN 3-8004-0948-8 .