Italian ?

[Chris Boonzaier]

Doesnt Italy have any wound badges or medals??

[Kev in Deva]

Doesnt Italy have any wound badges or medals??

Hallo Chris,

With regards your question the following is taken from: Wound Medals, Insignia And Next-Of-Kin Awards Of The Great War, by Arthur H. Houston & Vicken Koundakjian, a OMSA Publication dated 1995.

Italy: BADGE OF HONOR FOR THOSE MUTILATED In WAR.The first and most highly respected of these was a badge, the Distintivo d'Onore Per i Mutilati di Guerra / Badge or Insignia of Honor for Those Mutilated in War.It was created on recommendation of the Ministries of the Army and Navy by Royal Decree No 640, dated 21 May, 1916. The intent of this award was clerly established in the first Article of the enabling legislation.This specefied that it was to be regarded as a high distinction to be awarded only to those seriously, and permanantly impaired or disfigured as a consequence of wartime service. Individuals sustaining wounds which did not lead to permanent disablement or which left no obvious traces were not to be regarded as eligible.

The design of the Badge is set out in Article 2. To be manufactured in silver, and patterned on a model which, with the originating decree was to be deposited in the State Archives, it measures 30 by 35 mm (Figure 24). Within an off-centred circlet of oak and laurel leaves is the inscription "MUTILATO IN GUERRA" Below this will be found one of the four dates "1915," !1915-16," "1915-17," "1915-18." Above is a radiant star; below the national Coat-of-Arms surmounted by the Royal Crown.

The badge was not associated with a ribbon, and was worn pinned directly to the tunic following decorations and medals, and aligned with the first decoration in the row above it. However, and in contrast to regulations governing similar insignia in other forces, wear was not mandatory. Articles 9 and 10 also provided that it could be worn with civilian dress. Articles 4, 5, and 6 outlined the nature of the documentation to be submitted by claimants, and charged the Ministries in question with the responsibility of developing criteria for awards and establising administrative arrangements.These were to include mechanisims of appeal.

The initiating Decree also specified that the Badge was to be provided at State expense, with ceremony, and as quickly as possible after approval of the award.Finally Article 7 allowed for the rescinding of awards in moral grounds, or as a consequence of invalid or fraudulent application.

Several months later (11th November, 1916) War Department Circular 642 outlined in some ten Articles the regulations adopted in respect of the original Decree. Again, these stress that the Wound Badge was to be highly regarded and selectively awarded.

To ensure this, each application was to be screened at several levels before award was authorized. Alternative administrative routes were provided for individuals on active service, those attached as patients to hospitals or convalecent units and veterans discharged from service for health reasonns.However, in all cases evaluation procedures followed the same pattern. As a first step, the service records of the claimants, together with detailed reports by medical officers, were to be reviewed by panels of service representatives.These panels were employed only to make recommendations to the Directors of Health Services for the Army, Navy, and Merchant Marine for review.Favorable recomendations on the part of the latter were then sent to the Ministry of War, the only body which could actually authorise awards.

The appropriate service Ministry then issued the Badge with a brevet authenticating the award (Figures 24 and 25).

The permanent service record of the recipient was also amended to include the following atatement: "Autorizzato a fregiarsi del distintivo d'onore instituito con R.decreto 21 maggio 1916, n.640" (Authorised to wear the decoration established by Royal Decree No. 640 of 21 May, 1916.)

As noted earlier, provision was made for adjudication of disagreements at any level; in this instance, by the Inspector General of Military Health Services.

Article 6, outlines criteria adopted as sufficient qualification for award of the Wound Badge, Once more, these make it clear that it was to be granted only under circumstances of severe injury.

Among the qualifying conditions, for example, were the loss of one or both eyes, marked visual loss in both eyes, wounds to the spinal column or nerve cord causing significant impairment, complete or partial loss of a limb or limbs or significant damage to at least one major limb joint.

Partial loss of, or serious damage to the skull or facial structure, deforming wounds to the skull or facial structure, deforming wounds to the head, neck, or face, and damage to the mouth or tounge affecting speech, respiration and (or) alimentation were also regarded as meeting award criteria.

So also were wounds to the chest or abdomen causing significant loss of digetive function. Interestingly, given the views then commonly held by senior Allied commanders with respect to the question od "Shell-Shock", provision was also made for awards to those suffering from combat-related psychological trauna leading to loss of speech or hearing, epileptic seizures and similar conditions.

A final section in this Article ". . . tutte le altre che, isolatamente o complessivermente abbiano residuato gravi deturpazioni o permanenti disturbi funzionali equivalenti a quelli contemplati negli articoli precedenti" ( allowed for awards to those who had suffered other types of wounds which, individually or collectively, caused permanent and serious functional impairment).

The last official instruction bearing on the Wound Badge of which we are aware is embodied in War Department Circular 553 (24 July, 1917) which appeared in the Official Gazette of August 13, 1917 (No. 191). This provided that individuals who had suffered wounds meeting award criteria as consequence of service in the earlier Wars of Independance and Unification or in any officially recognized canpaign were to be retroactively awarded the Wound Badge.

Several miniture versions of the badge "Mutilati en Guerra", with and without dates, of different materials and with numerous minor differences in detail are commonly found. Normally these measure 20 by 24mm or smaller, and presumable were worn as lapel badges with civilian clothing.

Kevin in Deva.

Edited February 2, 2007 by Kev in Deva

[Kev in Deva]

ITALY Continued:

WOUND STRIPE:

Despite the intensions expressed in the regulations governing Wound Badge awards, they were apparently interpreted with what the War Department construed to be excessive generosity. Consequently, a subsequent Circular (No. 182, 12 March, 1917) redifined criteria with more precision, while simultaneously introducing a new insignia.The latter was to be granted to individuals wounded or injured while on active service, but the extent of the severity precluded award of the Wound Badge under revised and more rigorous regulations.The new emblem, a length of silver braid measuring 5 by 50mm, was to be worn on the right sleeve of the tunic.

To emphasize its importance, the governing regulations specified that it was to be worn above all other rank or qualification badges.Qualification for the Wound Strip was based on serious injury; superficial cuts, bruises and so forth did not qualify. Only wounds or specific types of injuries sustained during actual combat were considered. For example, frostbite injuries, - a distinct possibility under the winter alpine conditions - were, quite reasonably, deemed to be acceptable, if unavoidably incurred during service at the Front.

So also were injuries due to Poison gas, Liqued fire, and similar weapons. Claimants were entitled to one Wound Stripe for each occasion on which a qualifying wound was suffered, i.e., wounds received simultaneously did not qualify for individual stripes.

All recipients of the Wound Badge, including those receiving if for service prior to the Great War, were automatically granted the Wound Stripe as well.

Award of the Wound Stripe was the responsibility of the Corps and Depot commanders, and all such awards were to be recorded in the permanent service record of the recipient. However, officers commanding hospitals or convalescent establishments could also approve awards, provided that the individuals involved had been attached to their units for 60 days or more.As with the Wound Badge, provision were made for appeal of refused applications.Finally, in an effort to avoid the problems earlier encoutered with the Wound Badge, Commanding Officers were instructed to avoid excessive generosity in their recomendations.

Subsequently the nature of the Wound Stripe was amended on a number of occasions. For example, Royal Decree No. 831 of 3 March, 1923, provided for an insignia of similar pattern and dimensions, but in red, for those wounded in the Fascist Revolution. This was later discontinued. Most substantive changes were promulgated in Circular No. 912 of the Ministry for War issued in 1934. This replaced the original silver Wound Stripe with Gold and Silver Stripes. The gold Wound Stripe was reserved for wounds sustained in Combat. The silver version was thenawarded for wounds or injuries incurred while on active military service, but not a direct consequence of enemy action.

(Hopefully a GMIC Member might have a picture of the Italian Wound Stripe as none is featured in the above mentioned book!)

UNIT WOUND CERTIFICATES:

In additin to the foregoing official awards, some individual units apparently also provided recognition of wounds sustained in action.

Other items connected with the above are here listed as well, if any information pertaining them is required or of interest I would be happy to post it from the book.

CROCHE Di GUERRA. CONDOLENCE CERTIFICATE. MEDAL FOR THE MOTHERS OF THE FALLEN BADGE OF HONOR FOR THE ORPHANS OF WAR DEAD, CITY OF ROME WOUND MEDAL

Finaly, reference should be made to the bulletin isued on 10th October, 1919, by the ministerial section responsible for the Distinctions and Compensations.This outlines regulations adopted in respect to wear of war decorations with civilian dress. Several of these are of particular interest. Moeover, they indicate the respect which the Italian authorities expected to be accorded recipients of such awards.

Former servicemen were permitted to wear their decorations or miniatures, ribbons or lapel bows at appropriate times. They were, indeed, strongly encouraged to do so when participating in official receptions or ceremonies, or while engaged in public functions as civil administrators, teachers, arbitrators, jurors and so on.

As an act of courtesy and respect, quards and sentries were required to render salutes to those wearing decorations. Indeed, servicemen not wearing decorations were obliged to salute those of equal rank wearing theirs.

The Mothers and / or widows of the war dead received the decorations and medals posthumously awarded to their sons or husbands. When attending official functions, recipients were encouraged to wear the decorations conferred on their sons or husbands, embelishing these with black ribbon as a symbol of mourning. Such women were also to be accoded all military courtesies, particularly when present at Remembrance and similar ceremonies.

Kevin in Deva

Edited January 31, 2007 by Kev in Deva

[Sivart]

Doesnt Italy have any wound badges or medals??

I was recently browsing online and I saw this badge offered as "WW1 ITALY WAR WOUNDED VETERANS BADGE MUTILATI INVALIDI". Has anyone seen this badge before?

[Kev in Deva]

I was recently browsing online and I saw this badge offered as "WW1 ITALY WAR WOUNDED VETERANS BADGE MUTILATI INVALIDI". Has anyone seen this badge before?

Hallo Sivart

While not having seen this particular badge before, I feel it could be an unofficial assocoation of Mutilated & Invalid war veterans badge. I also feel it has a conection to the more seroiusly wounded such as amputees or blind.

Kevin in Deva.

Edited June 8, 2007 by Kev in Deva

[iffig]

The legend on the badge reads : "National Association of War Mutilated and Invalids". Most probably created after WW I; could have received official support, especially after Fascists took power.

[Kev in Deva]

Hallo Gents,

Recently I was shown this piece,

As far as I can tell it has to do with Venice, and Wounded or Mutilated veterans,

any more information would be appreciated, it measures approxamatly 3,5 cms across.

Kevin in Deva.

[Kev in Deva]

The Rear.

Kevin in Deva.

[Hendrik]

Hello Kevin,

The reverse reads (I think) :

ANCR (= National Society of Combattants and Veterans), Venice Federation, 1st Provincial Reunion, Combattants and Veterans, Mirarto 11-11-1984. Mirarto, I take it, being the gathering place, they did leave it a bit late for their first reunion ...

Cheers,

Hendrik

[Kev in Deva]

Another example of the Italian WW2 badge for Invalids.

Front.

Kevin in Deva

[Kev in Deva]

Rear.

Kevin in Deva.

[jzab]

I was recently browsing online and I saw this badge offered as "WW1 ITALY WAR WOUNDED VETERANS BADGE MUTILATI INVALIDI". Has anyone seen this badge before?

This badge is for members of a military veterans association. they come in a couple different sizes and in different colors. i have no idea of the signifigance for doing that. there is also a similiar badge for a civilian association. there are also badges for orphans and orphan associations. in the facist period they had their own medals and badges for wounded which are extremely scarce and expensive to purchase.

i have noticed in the 20 odd years of collecting WMB that the countries that have lost the wars seem to put out them most stuff for the wounded. jzab

[JimZ]

The Mothers and / or widows of the war dead received the decorations and medals posthumously awarded to their sons or husbands. When attending official functions, recipients were encouraged to wear the decorations conferred on their sons or husbands, embelishing these with black ribbon as a symbol of mourning. Such women were also to be accoded all military courtesies, particularly when present at Remembrance and similar ceremonies.

Kevin in Deva <img src="http://gmic.co.uk/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/beer.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="" border="0" alt="beer.gif" />

I believe Kevin was referring to the "Medaglia di Madri e Vedove Dei Caduti" or Medal for Mothers and Widows of the Fallen. This medal was instituted on 24 May 1919 as a token of national gratitude and was presented to mothers and widows alike. The obverse shows a woman handing a laurel wreath to a wounded/dying soldier with another woman stands in the background (possibly wife and widow).

The reverse includes the text:

- IL FIGLIO CHE TI NACQVE DAL DOLORE TI RINASCE "O BEATA" NELLA GLORIA E IL VIVO EROE "PIENA DI GRAZIA " E TECO; which translates to

- THE SON THAT WAS BORN TO YOU IN PAIN IS REBORN "OH BLESSED ONE" IN GLORY AND LIVES AS A HERO "FULL OF GRACES" AND IS WITH THEE.

This medal is one of my favourites with very good quality relief. The ribbon is black (faded) with the italian tricolour.

See below -

[JimZ]

OBVERSE - Medaglia di Madri e Vedove Dei Caduti

[JimZ]

REVERSE - Medaglia di Madri e Vedove Dei Caduti

[JimZ]

DETAIL OBVERSE - Medaglia di Madri e Vedove Dei Caduti

[JimZ]

DETAIL REVERSE - Medaglia di Madri e Vedove Dei Caduti

[Gordon Craig]

Kevin,

Thanks for typing up the regulations for the Italian Wound badge and wound stripe. Nice to have them for reference. I have two Italian uniforms with wound stripes. Both are General's uniforms and bot have two gold wound stripes. One is a dress ubiform with bullion stripes, the other is a field uniform with embroidered yellow thread stripes. They are for different Generals.

The first pictures are of the dress Generals uniform. The wound stripes and gold bullion embroidered on a piece of grey backing material which was then sewn to the right sleeve. The wound stripes are 45mm long by 4mm wide. The top of the slated tripes is approximately 155mm from the shoulder seam.

[Gordon Craig]

Kevin,

Thanks for typing up the regulations for the Italian Wound badge and wound stripe. Nice to have them for reference. I have two Italian uniforms with wound stripes. Both are General's uniforms and bot have two gold wound stripes. One is a dress ubiform with bullion stripes, the other is a field uniform with embroidered yellow thread stripes. They are for different Generals.

The first pictures are of the dress Generals uniform. The wound stripes and gold bullion embroidered on a piece of grey backing material which was then sewn to the right sleeve. The wound stripes are 45mm long by 4mm wide. The top of the slated tripes is approximately 155mm from the shoulder seam.

[Gordon Craig]

The sleeve showing the location of the wound stripes.

[Gordon Craig]

The cotton embroidered stripes. They measure 54mm long by 7mm wide. The distance from the right shoulder seam to the top of the slanted stripes is approximately 185mm.

Regards,

Gordon

Edited July 3, 2011 by Gordon Craig

[Gordon Craig]

The sleeve of this field uniform showing the location of the wound stripes.

[Gordon Craig]

The cotton embroidered strips. They measure 54mm long by 7mm wide. The distance from the right shoulder seam to the top of the slanted stripes is approximately 185mm.

Regards,

Gordon