Merit and Other Awards

A selection of merit and other Italian awards.

The Medal for the Mothers or Widows of the Fallen. Instituted 24 May 1919.

Two versions “G.Prini – Sacchini”, “G.Prini – S. Johnson”.

3 other variations were produced by the Italian Republic, 1956.

A bronze medal given to the mother or widow of the fallen.

The obverse has an allegorical design showing a woman offering a laurel wreath to a dying soldier while another woman stands in the background.

On the reverse “The son which was born out of you in pain, is reborn to you, o blessed one, full of glory and he lives as a hero. With gratitude”.

Prolific Mothers had their own award with a ribbon device for each child. Instituted 22 May 1939.

Two versions. One with mount pictured here, the second with a ball mount, and different ribbon devices.

Resource material on Italian Medals & Decorations is scarce, unlike its more famous Axis partner, Germany. This is our attempt to create the definitive on-line guide on the topic.

We need your help! If you have medals or variations to contribute to our virtual collection, please contact us.
JoeM, Member, Comando Supremo

All information courtesy of these two great sites:

Hendrik Meersschaert for contributing material and information.
Antiques and Militaria
Italian Regalia 1922-1945

Also see: Ribbons of Orders, Decorations, and Medals; Guido Rosignolil; Arco Publishing 1977 ISBN 0-668-04104-8

I created Comando Supremo: Italy at War in 2000 because of the the limited amount of information on Italian forces in WWII that was available online. Thanks to people like you, this site has grown to what it is today. Thank you for visiting and please bookmark the site!

jim h

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