Croce al Merito di Guerra (War Merit Cross) awarded to Ernest Hemingway during World War I
Artifact IDMO 2002.24.3
Object Type
Medal
Date
1918
Place MadeItaly, Europe
Medium
Bronze, silk ribbon, paper, ink
Dimensionsmedal H 1 1/2 in x W 1 1/2 in (3.8 cm x 3.8 cm )
Physical DescriptionWWI Merit of War medal awarded to Ernest Hemingway. War Merit Cross cast in bronze, is 38mm wide (1-1/2 inches) and is attached to a blue and white silk ribbon. It was instituted by King Victor Emanuel III on 19 January 1918. The obverse has the royal cypher ("VE III" under a crown) in the upper arm, "MERITO DI GVERRA" (War Merit) on the horizontal arms and a Roman sword pointing upwards, on oak leaves, in the lower arm. The reverse side bears a 5-pointed star on a background of rays.
On July 8, 1918, Hemingway was wounded on the Italian front, along the Piave delta, in World War I while serving as an ambulance driver for the American Red Cross. While wounded, he carried another Italian wounded soldier to the first aid dugout. Hemingway was awarded this Italian medal Merit of War, the Croce de Guerra, for his service.
Additional DetailsOn July 8, 1918, Hemingway was wounded on the Italian front, along the Piave delta, in World War I while serving as an ambulance driver for the American Red Cross. While wounded, he carried another Italian wounded soldier to the first aid dugout. Hemingway was awarded this Italian medal Merit of War, the Croce de Guerra, for his service.
Custodial History NoteThis item was donated to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum by Mary Hemingway, the wife of Ernest Hemingway in 1986.
Credit LineJohn F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA; Gift of Mary Hemingway; Ernest Hemingway Collection
National Archives Catalog CollectionJohn F. Kennedy Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 1676934)
National Archives Catalog SeriesErnest Hemingway Collection (National Archives Identifier 575085)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestrictedUse Restriction NoteReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.In Collection(s)
Not on view
