Italy - Savoy Bravery Medal

[Yankee]

Hello

Anybody know if there is a book that would give a list of recipients & their actions on winning the Al Valore.

Thanks for any help in advance.

Sincerely

Yankee

[the doctor]

yes i saw something like that but only for gold medal 'al valor militare' awarded

Edited November 25, 2008 by the doctor

[Elmar Lang]

Hello,

actually, there is no reference where to finde the lists of recipients of Italy's Medal for Valour. There's a book, published in the '30s with the list of all those who received the Gold Medal for Valour, from its institution (1833) until 1918.

More difficult, is to find a list of the French recipients of the "Guerre d'Italie 1859" type: French authorities, simply obtained from Italy a number of unnamed medals that were awarded to French soldiers; then, the medals have been named in France.

All names (and details of the action) are recorded in the "Bollettino Ufficiale del Regno d'Italia", where all laws and decrees were published. As we can imagine, looking for names and lists is a titanic work, especially because the date engraved on the medal, usually isn't that of the award decree. For example, my (late) father did an act of bravery, as an anti-tank battery commander, on May 30th 1942, being proposed for the Silver "Al Valore Militare" medal. The actual award happened in 1952 only and it was published on the "Gazzetta Ufficiale" (republican heir of kingdom's "Bollettino") in that year, although his medal is engraved "Bir el-Aslagh (A.S.) 30 Maggio 1942". I understand that between the act of bravery and the award, there was the retreat from Northern Africa and a lost war, etc. ... but he received the German Iron Cross 1st Class on May 31st, 1942.

Excuse me for this nearly off-topic detail.

All records (hopefully) of the "Al Valore" medals are preserved at our Ministry of Defense's archive but, due to financial problems, most papers aren't digitalized and they need a long research. Add to this that due to our latest "privacy law", informations about Bravery Medals can be requested from direct descendants only...

Best wishes,

Enzo

Edited December 14, 2008 by Elmar Lang

[Yankee]

Hello,

actually, there is no reference where to finde the lists of recipients of Italy's Medal for Valour. There's a book, published in the '30s with the list of all those who received the Gold Medal for Valour, from its institution (1833) until 1918.

More difficult, is to find a list of the French recipients of the "Guerre d'Italie 1859" type: French authorities, simply obtained from Italy a number of unnamed medals that were awarded to French soldiers; then, the medals have been named in France.

All names (and details of the action) are recorded in the "Bollettino Ufficiale del Regno d'Italia", where all laws and decrees were published. As we can imagine, looking for names and lists is a titanic work, especially because the date engraved on the medal, usually isn't that of the award decree. For example, my (late) father did an act of bravery, as an anti-tank battery commander, on May 30th 1942, being proposed for the Silver "Al Valore Militare" medal. The actual award happened in 1952 only and it was published on the "Gazzetta Ufficiale" (republican heir of kingdom's "Bollettino") in that year, although his medal is engraved "Bir el-Aslagh (A.S.) 30 Maggio 1942". I understand that between the act of bravery and the award, there was the retreat from Northern Africa and a lost war, etc. ... but he received the German Iron Cross 1st Class on May 31st, 1942.

Excuse me for this nearly off-topic detail.

All records (hopefully) of the "Al Valore" medals are preserved at our Ministry of Defense's archive but, due to financial problems, most papers aren't digitalized and they need a long research. Add to this that due to our latest "privacy law", informations about Bravery Medals can be requested from direct descendants only...

Best wishes,

Enzo

Hi Enzo

Actually I'm glade you went of our topic. It was very nice that you had shared some of your family history on the forum. You must be very proud to have such a brave dad. I was fascinated to read what you have wrote on your dad's action in WWll. Hope one day you can go into the details of his award. It is that he had to wait such a long time for his award. Perhaps the same wait took place in the 19th century too. I know Italy has a huge bureaucracy, I suppose slowed the award process to a crawl. Great that he did receive his medal & was not forgotten. Even in our country awards can take place 30, 40 & even 50 years after an action.

I understand that the vast majority of gold medals was melted down by orders of Mussolini to pay for the war. How very sad these treasures of histroy were destroyed. Amazing what you had said about the French recipients having there names engraved after award. I guess in France the answer to my guy lies. The recipient was a Canonnier

9eD'ART. His name CHAMOUILLE which I assume is French. I assume the engraving style is the same for French & Italian.

Only way you can tell them apart is the name since unit might be hard if you do not have the proper books. Pity the Italian Ministry of Defense is so secretive. How happy they'd make us collectors if they open their archives to the general public but that is furthest from their mind. So it really is hard to collect the Al-Valore if you want to get info behind the medal.

Sincerely

Brian

[Elmar Lang]

Hello Brian,

thank you for your kind words regarding my dad's war merits, although I went off the topic related to your original post.

Yes, I'm proud of my father and, since he died on October 26th, 2008, I'm feeling quite sad also. Ok, he was nearly 91 years old, but remained present and clearly thinking until his last moments: this helped us a lot, to accept what was happening.

Now, talking again about the "Al Valore" medals and to commemorate my dad's military past, I've tried here to translate into English the "Motivazione" of his Silver Medal for Military Valour; this text is always written on the medal's award document and is read in front of the troops while the medal is pinned to the recipient's uniform:

Lieutenant (Artillery) Ennio Calabresi:

"Commanding officer of a heavy anti-tank battery with the task to defend an important sector attacked by superior enemy armoured forces supported with strong artillery fire, he inflicted heavy loss to the enemy, forcing it to retreat a first time. Attacked again, and put under the direct fire of numerous enemy batteries that subsequently destroyed three of his guns and killed the majority of his gunners, being repeatedly wounded also himself, he intrepidly resisted, giving to the surviving soldiers his own faith and enthusiasm. When the chief-gunner of his last piece fell killed, he took his place, continuing the fire until the last surviving enemy tanks retreated behind their lines. An officer who distinguished himself on other occasions already, was again an example of the highest courage, to the limits of self-sacrifice. Bir el-Aslagh (Northern Africa), May 30^th, 1942" (note: the area of Bir el-Aslagh, not far from Bir Hakeim, had the british nickname of "Knightsbridge").

After the war (and more than 4 years as a P.O.W. in India), he continued his career in the Army and retired in 1976 with the rank of Lieutenant General (Generale di Divisione).

Each year, on May 30th, he remembered his soldiers and his enemies (of the British 22nd armoured brigade, if I correctly remember) fell on the field that day, by publishing an obituary announcement on a national newspaper.

As said, for the same action, he also received the Iron Cross 1st Class, given to him personally from Gen. Rommel.

Back to collecting, In Italy there are many, many collectors of these "Al Valore" medals. They're attractive and their design is fine. More, each piece is nearly unique, because of its naming. The best, is when a medal is found with the award document, that reports, besides the recipient's data, the "Motivazione" that is the detailed description of the act of gallantry.

Personally, I regret that even an Italian citizen, possessing one of such medals would find a "wall" set up from the authorities, making any archival research almost impossible, unless finding an employee at the archive of the Ministry of Defense, acting "beyond the call of duty"...

Sincerely,

Enzo Calabresi (Elmar Lang)

[Yankee]

Hello Brian,

thank you for your kind words regarding my dad's war merits, although I went off the topic related to your original post.

Yes, I'm proud of my father and, since he died on October 26th, 2008, I'm feeling quite sad also. Ok, he was nearly 91 years old, but remained present and clearly thinking until his last moments: this helped us a lot, to accept what was happening.

Now, talking again about the "Al Valore" medals and to commemorate my dad's military past, I've tried here to translate into English the "Motivazione" of his Silver Medal for Military Valour; this text is always written on the medal's award document and is read in front of the troops while the medal is pinned to the recipient's uniform:

Lieutenant (Artillery) Ennio Calabresi:

"Commanding officer of a heavy anti-tank battery with the task to defend an important sector attacked by superior enemy armoured forces supported with strong artillery fire, he inflicted heavy loss to the enemy, forcing it to retreat a first time. Attacked again, and put under the direct fire of numerous enemy batteries that subsequently destroyed three of his guns and killed the majority of his gunners, being repeatedly wounded also himself, he intrepidly resisted, giving to the surviving soldiers his own faith and enthusiasm. When the chief-gunner of his last piece fell killed, he took his place, continuing the fire until the last surviving enemy tanks retreated behind their lines. An officer who distinguished himself on other occasions already, was again an example of the highest courage, to the limits of self-sacrifice. Bir el-Aslagh (Northern Africa), May 30^th, 1942" (note: the area of Bir el-Aslagh, not far from Bir Hakeim, had the british nickname of "Knightsbridge").

After the war (and more than 4 years as a P.O.W. in India), he continued his career in the Army and retired in 1976 with the rank of Lieutenant General (Generale di Divisione).

Each year, on May 30th, he remembered his soldiers and his enemies (of the British 22nd armoured brigade, if I correctly remember) fell on the field that day, by publishing an obituary announcement on a national newspaper.

As said, for the same action, he also received the Iron Cross 1st Class, given to him personally from Gen. Rommel.

Back to collecting, In Italy there are many, many collectors of these "Al Valore" medals. They're attractive and their design is fine. More, each piece is nearly unique, because of its naming. The best, is when a medal is found with the award document, that reports, besides the recipient's data, the "Motivazione" that is the detailed description of the act of gallantry.

Personally, I regret that even an Italian citizen, possessing one of such medals would find a "wall" set up from the authorities, making any archival research almost impossible, unless finding an employee at the archive of the Ministry of Defense, acting "beyond the call of duty"...

Sincerely,

Enzo Calabresi (Elmar Lang)

Hi Enzo

May I extend my condolences. Your father is a most remarkable man, certainly Rommel thought that too, to personally honor him with an award by his own hands. It must have been a very moving experience for your father to come into contact with one of the great military geniuses of the war. Never forgetting the past, remembering his men as well as the enemy on all the anniversaries. Many kind thanks for translating your dad's "motivazione" which I'm sure was not so easy. I was amazed to have read of your father's courage and not retreating under such heavy enemy pressure even when his wouds needed immediate medical attention. The Al-Valore must be equivalent to the Victoria Cross. Reason English medals are so popular is just amazing how much detailed research can be easily found. I suppose if that was the same case in your country there would be 1000% more collectors. All the best.

Sincerely

Brian

[Ulsterman]

My sincerest condolences upon the recent loss of your Dad, a VERY brave and decent man indeed.

A very interesting piece of history. His opponents were the RTR, the London Yoemanry and the Rifles (yay!!).

Do you have any photos of your Dad in Africa?

Where was he in India?

What was his subsequent career like? UN/NATO assignments? Lebanon?

What did his medal bar look like?

Have you ever considered doing an article on his war time exploits? This is quite a good story and one that should be retold.

Edited December 16, 2008 by Ulsterman

[Ulsterman]

A "larger map" of the battlefields.

I tried to reduce the KB size of the map above, but it has resisted all my efforts. If some computer -savvy Mod can reduce it, PLEASE do so.

Ta-

By the way EL, did your Dad wear a '57 Iron Cross on his uniform?

[Elmar Lang]

Hello Ulsterman,

thank you for your words. I'll let my mother and my wife read this thread...

Yes, I have some photos of my dad in Africa (not many, because my granparents' home in Turin suffered heavy damages after an air raid late in 1944).

Dad was taken prisoner on July 3rd 1942 in the Qattara depression, fighting against New Zealander troops; sent to Alexandria, then to India, where he stayed for a short period in Dehra-Dhun, then in the prisoners' camp of Yol, where he remained until september 1946.

After his return to Italy, he confirmed to remain in the Army, continuing his normal career of Artillery officer, being sent to the War College where he became Staff Officer; as a Major, he commanded an artillery Group (section of a Regiment), then he was sent to the "ABC" (Atomic, Biological, Chemical) warfare school in Rome, also serving at the Army General Staff; from then, He went to the NATO school in Oberammergau to join the courses of Nuclear warfare and in 1965 he became teacher of "Special Weapons Warfare" at the War College in Civitavecchia; in 1967-1968 he became commander of the 3rd Missile Artillery Regiment, then he returned to Civitavecchia at his post of teacher, now specialist in nuclear warfare and defense, going also to take specialised courses at Oberammergau. Promoted Major General in 1972 he was then tranferred to Verona where he became President of the Military Court; he retired in 1976 with the rank of Lieutenant General. He lived his retirement years in the countryside of Veneto, still continuing his studies, now as a hobby. I remember that he never felt "tired or bored" for not being on duty anymore, since he loved life and had lots of things to do.

I'm not a boy anymore, but believe me, I'm still feeling like something of myself would have been torn away. As a son of an army officer, I've lived the typical life... moving from one city to another (13 moves in 18 years): he's always been a father, a friend and someone I could always talk about everything with confidence, also in his last months.

Please excuse me for these perhaps too personal notes.

Best wishes,

Enzo

P.S.: yes, he wore the '57 type Iron Crosses, because the Federal Republic confirmed the award.

Edited December 16, 2008 by Elmar Lang

[Ulsterman]

Very cool.

Losing a Father is one of lifes' hardest moments.

Again, my sympathies.

I would be very interested in seeing a portrait of him. He must have had an official one done as Court Director.

[the doctor]

I'm not a boy anymore, but believe me, I'm still feeling like something of myself would have been torn away. As a son of an army officer, I've lived the typical life... moving from one city to another (13 moves in 18 years): he's always been a father, a friend and someone I could always talk about everything with confidence, also in his last months.

io credo siano le pi? belle parole che un padre sogni mai di sentire dette da suo figlio.

senso del dovere, rispetto del prossimo, lealt?, onore....se questa ? stata la semina di tuo padre, caro amico mio,

queste tue parole sono il pi? bel raccolto potesse avere.

accetta le mie condoglianze per la perdita di chi deve essere senz'altro stato un grande uomo: onore al merito !

P.S. I beg your pardon, folks, but I was not so able to tell Enzo, in english, what I did want to tell him. Sorry.