Military Order of Italy
The Military Order of Italy (Italian: "Ordine Militare d'Italia") is the highest military order of the Italian Republic and the former Kingdom of Italy. It was founded as the Military Order of Savoy, a national order by the King of Sardinia, Vittorio Emanuele I, Duke of Savoy in 1815. The order is awarded in five degrees for distinguished wartime conduct of units of the armed forces or individual personnel that has "proven expertise, a sense of responsibility and valour." The order was continued on the unification of Italy in 1861 and was revived, under its new  name, following the foundation of the Republic in 1946. It is bestowed by decree of the President of the Italian Republic, head of the order, on the recommendation of the Minister of Defence. Grades. Recipients of the "Ordine militare di Savoia" were transferred retaining their existing accoutrements and seniority. The various degrees of the order, which may be conferred posthumously, are as follows: The lowest of these may also be awarded for peacetime actions.