History

This medal was established by the Italian government, and it was originally conferred upon all the civil and military personnel that rendered service in the Italian Albania campaign from April 7-April 16, 1939.

Due to the lack of an associated decree, the interpretation of the Medal design was left to the private manufacturers used by the recipients, thus there are several versions of the Medal.

There are three main versions of the Medal. The medals manufactured by Stefano Johnson in Milan, those manufactured by Fratelli Lorioli in Milan, and the medals manufactured by an unknown maker.

The medals made by a Stefano Johnson may also be known as Type A. These medals feature the obverse inscription “VITTORIO EMANVELE III RE D’ITALIA E D’ALBANIA IMP. D’ETIOPIA” and the reverse inscription “ALBANIA REDENTA VII. APRILE. XVII,” the left facing portrait of Victor Emmanuel III is on the obverse medallion, and on the reverse medallion there is the two headed eagle emblem of Savoy holding lightning bolts in its claws with a fasces behind it. These medals are stamped “E.CRIPPA S.J.”

The medals made by an unknown manufacturer feature, have a portrait of King Victor Emmanuel III facing right or facing left on the obverse medallion, and they may also be known as Type B. The unknown medals with a left facing portrait feature the obverse inscription “VITT.EM.III.RE.D’ITALIA.E.DI.ALBANIA.IMP.D’ETIOPIA.” and the reverse inscription “ITALIA ALBANIA 12-16 APRILE 1939 XVII EF,” and there are two eagles on the reverse medallion; one is the single headed eagle emblem of Savoy and the other is the two headed eagle emblem of Savoy. The unknown medals with a right facing portrait feature the obverse inscription “VITTORIO EMANUELE III RE D’ITALIA” and the reverse inscription “ALBANIA REDENTA VII. APRILE. XVII.,” and on the reverse medallion there is the two headed eagle emblem of Savoy holding lightning bolts in its claws with a fasces behind it.

The medals made by Fratelli Lorioli may also be known as Type C. These medals feature the obverse inscription “SPEDIZIONE IN ALBANIA XVII EF” and the reverse inscription “ITALIA ALBANIA 12-16 APRILE 1939 XVII EF,” and on the reverse medallion is the image of the eagle emblem of Savoy with its talons clutching a ribbon that reads “FERT.”