History

The Medal was founded by Victor Amadeus III, King of Sardinia, to reward lower-ranking soldiers and Non-Commissioned Officers for acts of extraordinary valour and courage in wartime.

In 1815, Victor Emmanuel I founded the Military Order of Savoy, which resulted in the Medal slowly becoming a redundant decoration until its renewal by Charles Albert, King of Sardinia, in 1833.

These Medals were awarded during the reigns of Victor Amadeus III (1793-1796), Charles Emmanuel IV (1796-1802), and Victor Emmanuel I (1802-1821). Each King placed his own portrait on the obverse medallion.

This Medal was the precursor to the Medal of Military Valour instituted in 1833 by King Charles Albert.

See Medal for Military Valour, ITA241 in the Medals and Decorations of Kingdom of Sardinia & Kingdom of Italy for more information.