The War Merit Cross was originally instituted in 1918 with an obverse featuring a 5-pointed star on a striped background (some sources will refer to this side of the medal as the reverse) and a reverse featuring the crowned letters "VE III" (King Victor Emanuel III) in his upper crossed arm and the textCROSS OF WAR MERITO.

In 1941 with the modification of the textCROSS TO MILITARY VALUE, it can be said that a new prize was created.

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In 1942, in both decorations the word disappearedCROSSING, and in 1943, the medal's ribbon changed from blue and white vertical stripes to blue.

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At first it was a decoration for service, but in 1922, it was decided that it should also be a decoration for acts of valor,  so a gladius sword rolled with oak leaves or laurel.