The Sardinian Crimean War Medal or, more formally, the silver medal for Military Valour for the Eastern Expedition 1855–1856 (Italian: Medaglia d’Argento al Valor Militare per la spedizione d’Oriente 1855–1856) was a gallantry medal awarded by King Victor Emmanuel II of Sardinia for bravery during the Crimean War (1855–1856) against the Russian Empire. It is a variant of the Sardinian Medal of Military Valor.
Ribbon and medal
A silver medal with a blue watered ribbon. The obverse shows a crown with laurel and palm branch surrounding the arms of Savoy, with the inscription "Al Valore Militare". The reverse is inscribed "Spedizione d'Oriente 1854–1856" outside a laurel wreath,[1] with the name, rank and unit of the recipient usually engraved within the wreath.[2]
In addition to awards to the Sardinian Expeditionary Corps and other allied soldiers, the medal was awarded to 450 specially selected officers and men of the Royal Navy and British Army.[3] Queen Victoria gave permission for the medal to be worn by British servicemen in uniform.[4]
