- Time Period: The Great War
- Designed: 18 March 1968
- Country: Italy
The military Order of Vittorio Veneto was founded as a national order by the fifth President of the Italian Republic, Giuseppe Saragat, in 1968, “to express the gratitude of the nation” to those decorated with the Medal and Cross of War for Military Valour who had fought for at least six months in World War I and earlier conflicts.
Awarded in the single degree of Knight, a small annuity was granted in favor of those recipients who did not enjoy an income above their tax allowance, payable to the widow or minor children on death. The allowance was also granted to those that fought in the former Austro-Hungarian armed forces who became Italian citizens after annexation.
The order was bestowed by decree of the President of the Republic, its head, on the recommendation of the Minister of Defence. A Lieutenant General chaired the council, which screened applications made by eligible parties to the municipality of residence. With the death of the last surviving Knights of Vittorio Veneto in 2008, the order fell into abeyance and in 2010, it was formally wound up by repeal of the original legislation.
The Order of Vittorio Veneto Medal Design
The Order of Vittorio Veneto Medal is made of bronze and shaped like a Greek cross with pointed ends to the arms.
The obverse shows a circular central medallion bearing the five-pointed star of the Italian Republic circumscribed ‘ORDINE VITTORIO VENETO’, the arms decorated with oak leaves.
The reverse is a circular central medallion bearing an Adrian helmet, the arms decorated with laurel leaves; on original ribbon.
