History

The Medal was originally founded to recognize the merit of personnel who volunteered for military service during the Italian-Austrian War 1915-1918 (during the First World War), rendered meritorious service, or were injured. It was also awarded to recognize Italians who had voluntarily participated in the East Africa Campaigns 1935-1936, the Spanish Campaign in 1940, and World War II, as well as for crossing enemy lines on September 8, 1943, and for being wounded by Nazi and Fascists forces.

This Medal was designed by P. Morbiducci, and his name is stamped on the obverse.

The medals awarded for voluntary service in the Italian-Austria War 1915-1918, have the reverse inscription “VOLONTARI DI GVERRA MCMXV-MCMXVIII,” or “VOLONTARI DI GVERRA 1915-1918.” These medals may be stamped with the designer and engraver or makers marks, including “P. MORBIDVCCI S.JOHNSON MILANO,” “P. MORBIDVCCI SACCCHINI MILANO,” “P. MORBIDVCCI S.J. S. JOHNSON MILANO,” “P. MORBIDVCCI FM. LORIOLI E CASTELLI,” “P. MORBIDVCCI CGSA,” or “P. MORBIDVCCI.”

The medals awarded for voluntary service in the East Africa Campaigns 1935-1936, have the reverse inscription “VOLUNTARI DI GVERRA MCMXXXV.MCMXXXVI A.O,” or “VOLONTARI DI GVERRA A.O.I.” These medal may be stamped with the designer and engraver or maker marks, including “P. MORBIDVCCI S. JOHNSON MILANO,” “P. MORBIDVCCI CGSA,” ” P. MORBIDVCCI SJ. S. JOHNSON MILANO,” “P. MORBIDVCCI FM. LORIOLI E CASTELLI,” “P. MORBIDVCCI,” or have no marks at all.

The medals awarded for voluntary service in the Spanish Campaign 1940, have the reverse inscription “VOLONTARIO DI GVERRA,” or “VOLONTARI DI GVERRA O.M.S.” These medals may be stamped with the designer and engraver or maker marks, including “P. MORBIDVCCI S,” “P. MORBIDVCCI S. JOHNSON,” or have no marks at all.

The medals awarded for voluntarily crossing enemy lines on September 8, 1943, have the reverse inscription “VOLONTARI DI GVERRA.” These medals may be stamped with the designed and engraver marks, including “P. MORBIDVCCI S.JOHNSON MILANO,” “P. MORBIDVCCI S.J. S. JOHNSON MILANO,” and “P. MORBIDVCCI FM. LORIOLI E CASTELLI.”

The medals awarded for fighting, and being injured in the fight, against Nazi and Fascist forces have the reverse inscription “VOLONTARI DI GVERRA,” and they have no marks at all.

The medals awarded for voluntary service in World War II have the reverse inscription “VOLONTARI DI GVERRA MCMXL-MCMXLV,” or “VOLONTARI DI GVERRA 1940-1945.” These medals may be stamped with the designed and engraver marks, including “P.MORIDVCCI Z,” and “P.MORBIDVCCI”.