What Italian medal did Hemingway receive for his service in World War I?

Hemingway received Italy’s Silver Medal of Military Valor for his service during World War I. The Italian name is Medaglia d’argento al valor militare, an award recognizing exceptional gallantry.

Hemingway served in Italy as an American Red Cross ambulance volunteer after the U.S. Army rejected him because of poor eyesight. On July 8, 1918, at Fossalta di Piave, he was seriously wounded by mortar fire while bringing supplies to soldiers. Despite his injuries, he helped carry wounded Italian soldiers to safety before accepting assistance himself.

For this action, Italy awarded him the Silver Medal of Military Valor. He also received the Italian War Merit Cross, or Croce al Merito di Guerra. The medal later became central to the dramatic mythology surrounding his early life and influenced his writing about courage, injury, and war.

The award is sometimes confused with the Purple Heart, Medal of Honor, or Distinguished Service Cross, but those are not the decoration Hemingway received for this Italian action. The Silver Medal of Military Valor is an Italian military honor, not a U.S. award.