History

This Medal was founded by Charles Albert, King of Sardinia, to reward Navy personnel for risking their own lives to rescue people in danger at sea and shipwrecked.

The Medal was originally awarded in a single gold grade. It was expanded into two distinct grades, gold and silver, on April 15, 1860. The bronze grade of the Medal was added on March 8, 1888.

There are two versions of this Medal.

The Medals awarded for merit in rescuing people in danger at sea do not have a standard reverse inscription, they are either blank or have the engraved recipient information.

The Medals awarded specifically for aiding people who have been shipwrecked feature the reverse inscription “SOCCORSO A NAUFRAGHI” and may also have the engraved recipient information.

The reverse may be engraved with the name, date, and region of the recipient.