The Silver Medal of Military Valor (Italian: Medaglia d'Argento al Valore Militare) is an Italian medal for gallantry. Italian medals for valor were first instituted by Victor Amadeus III of Sardinia on 21 May 1793, with a gold medal, and, below it, a silver medal. These were intended for junior officers or common soldiers who had distinguished themselves in combat. During World War I, the medal was awarded to military personnel, units above the level of company and civilians for exceptional valor in the face of the enemy.