The Italian War Merit Cross was awarded to members of the armed forces with a minimum of one year’s service in contact with an enemy who received the Medal of the Wounded, or to those who, when mentioned for war merit, received a promotion. Also, if an act of valour was deemed insufficient for the Medal of Military Valour, the War Merit Cross could be awarded instead; from 1922 onwards, a bronze sword on the ribbon showed this class of award.
Bronze, 38mm wide (1 1/2 inches), blue ribbon with two silver stripes. The reverse side bears a 5-pointed star on a background of rays. The obverse has the royal cypher (“VE III” under a crown) in the upper arm, “MERITO DI GVERRA” (War Merit) on the horizontal arms and a Roman sword pointing upwards on oak leaves in the lower arm.
Condition
Good
