History

The Cross was based upon the War Merit Cross that was established by Victor Emmanuel III in 1918. In 1941, Victor Emmanuel III issued a Royal Decree that effectively replaced the War Merit Cross by changing the Cross’ name, inscription, and awarding criteria. This Cross was awarded to all Italians who had rendered combatant service during World War II.
It underwent several design alterations throughout its use and continued to be conferred into the Italian Republic.

There are three main versions of this Cross. The crosses minted in 1941 feature the reverse inscription “VE III CROCE AL VALOR MILITARE.” These crosses are worn on a ribbon with three blue stripes and two white stripes, and they are not stamped by any manufacturer or engraver marks.

The crosses minted in 1942 feature the reverse inscription “VE III AL VALOR MILITARE.” These crosses are worn on a ribbon with three blue stripes and two white stripes, and they may be stamped with the manufacturer mark “S.J.” (Stefano Johnson, Milan) or have no marks at all.

The crosses minted in 1943 feature the reverse inscription “VE III AL VALOR MILITARE,” or “VE III VALOR MILITARE.” These crosses are worn on a plain blue ribbon, and they are not stamped by any manufacturer or engraver marks.

There are also rare examples of this Cross that were designed by the Italian Social Republic (R.S.I.) but they were never minted. Instead, the military personnel were awarded with the same crosses minted during the Kingdom of Italy, but they replaced the royal cypher of Victor Emmanuel III with a large "X".

The ribbon of the each Cross was decorated with a sword device in recognition of valorous acts in wartime.