History

While the Medal is unofficial, it was founded to commemorate the very first flight across the Atlantic undertaken by Italo Balbo, with 14 planes and 56 aircrew personnel.

There are multiple models of this Medal, with various designs and inscriptions.

The first model features an image of the Atlantic Ocean and three planes on the obverse medallion, and the obverse inscription “A IX” and the reverse inscription “CROCIERA ATLANTICA ITALIANA ITALIA-BRASILE.”

The second model features the portrait of Italo Balbo on the obverse medallion, and the obverse inscription “A IX” and the reverse inscription “CROCIERA ATLANTICA ITALIANA ITALIA-BRASILE ITALO BALBO.”

The third model features the portraits of Victor Emmanuel III, Italo Balbo, and Mussolini on the obverse medallion, and the obverse inscription “A IX” and the reverse inscription “CROCIERA ATLANTICA ITALIANA ITALIA-BRASILE.”

The fourth model features the portrait of Italo Balbo on the obverse medallion, and the obverse inscription “S.E. ITALO BALBO COMANDANTE DELLA CROCIERA” and the reverse inscription “CROCIERA ATLANTICA ITALIANA ITALIA-BRASILE 1930 IX.”