Military Order of Italy

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The Military Order of Italy (Ordine Militare d'Italia) is the highest military order of Italy, originally established as the Military Order of Savoy on August 14, 1815 by King Victor Emmanuel I of Sardinia. The Order has five classes, in descending order:

  • Knight Grand Cross
  • Grand Officer
  • Commander
  • Officer
  • Knight

The Order recognizes distinguished services in war by individual personnel as well as units of the armed forces. The rank of Knight may also be awarded for peacetime activities.

Contents

[edit] History

[edit] Insignia

  • The badge is a golden Matuna Cross, enamelled in white, with a wreath of green-enamelled laurel and oak leaves between the arms of the cross. Officers and Knights wear this badge on a ribbon on the left chest. Commanders and Grand Officers wear this badge on a necklet.
    • The obverse central disc during the monarchy was in red enamel, with a white enamel cross. The current version is in white enamel, with the letters "RI" (for the Republic of Italy). In both cases the obverse disc is surrounded by a red enamel ring bearing the legend Al Merito Militare (Military Merit).
    • The reverse central disc is in red enamel with crossed swords. During the monarchy it had the letters "V" and "E" (for Victor Emmanuel) on the sides of the sword, and the year 1855 above it. The current version has no "V' and "E", but has the additional year 1947 (the foundation year of the Republic) below the swords.
    • The badge for the three higher classes are suspended by a wreath of green-enamelled laurel and oak leaves; the officer's badge is suspended by a golden trophy of arms instead, and the knight's badge has neither emblems.
  • The star is an eight-pointed faceted silver star with the badge (without suspension) at the centre. Worn by Knights Grand Cross and Grand Officers.
  • The ribbon is blue-red-blue.
  • Knights Grand Cross wear the sash with the badge of the order suspended from it.

[edit] Manner of wear

  • Knights of the Grand Cross wear the badge on a sash on the right shoulder, plus the star on the left chest;
  • Grand Officers wear the badge on a necklet, plus the star on the left chest;
  • Commanders wear the badge on a necklet; and
  • Officers and Knights wear the badge on a ribbon on the left chest.

[edit] See also