Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Italy, Kingdom, Al Valore Militare, silver, obverse with crowned ‘Z’ above designer’s initials ‘F.G.’, the reverse engraved ‘Braido Giovanni’ within wreath, ‘Seletta-Sleme -Mrzli- 14-Agosto-1915’ around, with ‘stirrip’ suspension, edge bruise, nearly extremely fine £200-240

Giovanni Braido was awarded the Al Valore Militare for his gallantry at Mount Mrzli on 14 August 1915, on which date the 21st Bersaglieri (Sharpshooters) launched a suicidal assault up the mountain to attack Austro-Hungarian defenders in entrenched positions on the Italian Front. Casualties were heavy, and the following day the Regiment consisted of just one officer and approximately 50 men.