The military Order of Vittorio Veneto () was an Italian order of chivalry that was founded as national order by the fifth President of the Italian Republic, Giuseppe Saragat, in 1968, "to express the gratitude of the nation" to those decorated with the Medal and the War Cross of Military Valor (Medaglia e Croce di Guerra al Valor Militare) who had fought for at least six months in World War I and earlier conflicts.Instituted by Law No. 263 of 18 March 1968
The Order is awarded in the single degree of Knight.
Being awarded more than 50 years after the War, most of the recipients were retired from employment. For the Knights who did not enjoy an income above their tax allowance, a small annuity was granted in favor of those recipients, payable to the widow or minor children on death. The allowance was also granted to those that fought in the former Austro-Hungarian armed forces who became Italian citizens after annexation.The Italian Honours Procedure (p.7) Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Department of Protocol (retrieved 5 October 2008) Ribbon Class Full title Knight Cavaliere dell'Ordine di Vittorio Veneto The order was bestowed by decree of the President of the Italian Republic, its head, on the recommendation of the Minister of Defence. A Lieutenant General chaired the council, which investigated applications made by eligible parties to the municipality of residence. With the death of the last surviving Knights of Vittorio Veneto in 2008,Addio all'ultimo cavaliere di Vittorio Veneto La Stampa, 26 October 2008Delfino Borroni: Italy’s last surviving veteran of the First World War The Times, 30 October 2008 the order fell into abeyance and, in 2008, it was formally wound-up by repeal of the original legislation.Under Legislative Decree No. 66 of 15 March 2010 It was revived anyway on 15 March 2010 in spite of being still abeyant.
Notable recipients Death date and ageCav. Girolamo Angelini22 May 1991 (aged 91)Cav. Giuseppe Arena19 March 1978 (aged 85)Cav. Ettore Bastico 2 December 1972 (aged 96)Cav. Delfino Borroni 26 October 2008 (aged 110)Cav. Francesco Domenico Chiarello 27 June 2008 (aged 109)Cav. Carlo Azeglio Ciampi 16 September 2016 (aged 95)Cav. Pietro Micheletti 25 March 2005 (aged 105)Cav. Guglielmo Nasi 21 September 1971 (aged 92)Cav. Carmine Pavia 26 October 1974 (aged 87)Cav. Domenico Piroli 25 January 1972 (aged 72)Cav. Lazare Ponticelli 12 March 2008 (aged 110)Cav. Filippo Rizzo 1 February 1984 (aged 89)Cav. Marcantonio Rositano 18 February 1977 (aged 88)Cav. Ugo Matteucci 1982 (aged 85)Cav. Ilario Cardarelli 2nd April 1984 (aged 87)Cav. Italo Sarrocco 8 January 1973 (aged 102)Cav. Leonardo Giovanni Specchia 8 January 1973 (aged 87)
See also List of Italian orders of knighthood Military Order of Italy
References
External links Presidenza della Repubblica - Le Onorificenze