Al Valore Militare Medal - Navy (silver)

[graham]

My Al Valore Militare Silver Navy Medal. This one is from a serviceman on the destroyer R.M. Aquila from the battle of the Strait of Otranto in May 1917. Any comments welcomed:

 

Edited September 14, 2020 by graham

[Igor Ostapenko]

Great ! 

[graham]

Igor,

Thanks. I have not seen too many of these with the naval ribbon.

[Elmar Lang]

Hello,

the medal shown above, is not an "Al Valore MIlitare" (For Military Valour) medal, but a "Al Valore di Marina" (For Naval Valour) one.

The Al Valore Militare medals were awarded to military of any ranks, as a reward for acts of valour displayed in combat or in military operations.

The Al Valore di Marina, actually was a medal to reward lifesaving at sea, at risk of one's life.

The fact involving the vessel "Aquila" in the low-Adriatic sea, is well-known, probably awarded to a sailor who saved other men after the Aquila was hit by the direct fire of an austrian ship, being severely damaged and immobilized, with loss of lives.

All the best,

Enzo (E.L.)

Edited October 6, 2020 by Elmar Lang

[graham]

Elmar, thanks for this information.