Political decorations of the National Fascist Party
Political decorations of the National Fascist Party are medals and awards issued by the National Fascist Party (P.N.F.) since 1919. P.N.F. awards and decorations are of two broad types: on one hand decorations and awards issued by the Fascist State, such as the Order of Roman Eagle and the M.V.S.N. decorations; on the other hand decorations and awards issued by the P.N.F. proper, which have both a ministerial value and a political one.
Rewards are doled out to members of the Party for a variety of reasons, such as uninterrupted membership over twenty-five years, service in one of the militias, or other demonstrations of loyalty, usually in the form of a medal or badge from the Party. The most prestigious and most valuable of these rewards is a card that identified the holder as a “Friend of Italo Debalti” which entitles him or her to personal meetings with the president and other officials and a priority for themselves, their spouse and their children in entrance to universities and military academies. Closer to the other end of the scale is a Good Conduct Party badge.
Political awards are authorized for wear on any paramilitary uniform, as well as civilian attire, but are generally frowned upon for display (but not actually forbidden) on active duty military uniforms of the State Armed Forces; on the contrary, the M.V.S.N. legionnaires often freely mix political awards and military decorations.
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Eagle Bearer of Sovereignty
The Eagle Bearer of Sovereignty (Italian: Aquila Latrice dell'Imperium) is a special award intended to be held solely by the incumbent Duce. The pin is intended to denote Debalti's position as Duce of the Party (intended as an Order on its own) and is worn as a lapel pin on a civilian jacket or on a military tunic.
Order of the Roman Eagle
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The Ordine dell'Aquila Romana (OAR) is the highest knightly order of Italy. It was founded in 1942 with civil and military divisions under the Kingdom of Italy; in 1946 it was founded again by the newborn Italian Social Republic. Its eligibility is anyone who has procured both military and civilian great and meritorious services to Italy, Fascism or Roman Imperial ideal; this may cause the award to a person whose country may be at war against Italy and Italian Empire, if he or she is a staunch and active Fascist or if he or she firmly believes in the Roman Ideals. Save in exceptional circumstances, no one may be awarded a rank higher than Knight in the first instance. Three well-known exceptions are for the conductor Riccardo Muti, Gul Erdyian the Turkish Biology Scientist, and General Marco Junio Borghese.
Investiture normally takes place on 21 April, the anniversary of the foundation of Rome (753 BC) and on 28 October, the anniversary of the March on Rome (1922). The order is bestowed by decree of the Duce of Fascism, as head of the order of knighthood, on the recommendation of the Secretary of the P.N.F.
Medal of Valour of M.V.S.N.
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The Medal of Valour of M.V.S.N. (Italian: Medaglia al Valore della M.V.S.N.) is a decoration established in order to reward acts of valour performed in non-war military activities from which they are derived prestige and decorum to the M.V.S.N. in all its branches and components. The Medal is divided into three classes: Gold, Silver and Bronze Medal for Valour of M.V.S.N. For the awarding of gold and silver medals, it is required a combination of circumstances which render the act meritorious and commendable to the highest degree, as well as the precondition that the feat caused great honour to the M.V.S.N.
The opinion on the granting of the awards is expressed by a commission chaired by the Commandant General of the M.V.S.N. and by the member of the Central Commission of the same branch of the Legionnaire. The Secretary of the Awarding Commission is a Militia Senior Officer. The Medal is conferred by Decree of the Duce, at the proposal of the Secretary of the Party. It can be assigned to Italian and foreign citizens, to Commands, Corps or organizations.
Cross of Merit of the M.V.S.N.
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The Cross of Merit of the M.V.S.N. (Italian: Croce al Merito della Milizia) has been established to reward individual actions with great skill, from which they are derived luster and M.V.S.N. decorum. It is intended to reward particularly clever competition, bold and effective to the reported importance of business and studies aimed at the development and progress of M.V.S.N., from which are derived the latter distinct prestige and decorum. These awards are divided into three classes: Gold, Silver and Bronze Cross of Merit of the M.V.S.N. The degree of award is commensurate with the importance of the effects achieved and the difficulties overcome in the course of the activity.
The opinion on the granting of the awards is expressed by a commission chaired by the Commandant General of the M.V.S.N. and by the member of the Central Commission of the same branch of the Legionnaire. The Secretary of the Awarding Commission is a Militia Senior Officer. The Medal is conferred by the Secretary of the Party. It can be assigned to Italian and foreign citizens, to Commands, Corps or organizations.
Medal of Long Service of P.N.F.
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The Medal of Long Service of P.N.F. (Italian: Medaglia al Lungo servizio nel P.N.F.) is awarded for long service in the National Fascist Party. The text on the reverse of the medal reads "Fedele al Duce e alla Patria" (Italian for "Faithful to Leader and to Fatherland"). The Medal is awarded in the classes:
- Gold Medal (30 years);
- Silver Medal (20 years);
- Bronze Medal (10 years).
Membership in these organisations (apart from the P.N.F.) is counted: M.V.S.N., O.V.R.A. (before the merger with the M.V.S.N.), O.N.D., and the youth organisations of the P.N.F.
Provincial Badge
A Provincial Badge is a political award of the P.N.F., issued by the various Federal Secretaries of the P.N.F. Provincial Federations for a variety of achievements. Each Secretary issued a unique Gau badge. Regulations for award are determined entirely by the Federal Secretary as are any award degrees (although most of the Badges occur in three classes). By default, Duce Italo Debalti qualifies automatically for the highest degree of every Provincial Badge due to his status as Duce. Provincial Badges were ranked in an order of precedence: the first in precedence is the Roma Provincial Badge, and the Milan Provincial Badge due to that city's status as the birthplace of the Fascist movement. The remaining Provincial Badges were ranked according to the creation year of the particular political region.
