Military Order of Italy

Military Order of Italy
Ordine Militare d'Italia
Republican Breast star of a Military Knight Grand Cross
Awarded by the Italian Republic
TypeOrder of chivalry
Established14 August 1815; 209 years ago (1815-08-14)
CountryItaly
EligibilityMilitary personnel
CriteriaValour
StatusCurrently constituted
Grand MasterPresident of the Republic
ChancellorMinister of Defence
Grades
  • Knight Grand Cross
  • Grand Officer
  • Commander
  • Officer
  • Knight
Post-nominalsOMI
Websitewww.quirinale.it/page/omi
Precedence
Next (higher)Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
Next (lower)Order of Merit for Labour


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.[1] 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.[2] It is bestowed by decree of the President of the Italian Republic, head of the order, on the recommendation of the Minister of Defence.

  1. ^ Founded by Letters Patent dated 14 August 1815, renewed by Royal Decree on 27 September 1855 and 28 March 1857
  2. ^ Under Legislative Decree of the Provisional Head of State No. 15 of 2 June 1947, renewed by Law No. 199 of 27 March 1952