Written by Alessandro Brambilla

The Origins of the National Combatants’ Organization (O.N.C.)

The National Combatants’ Organization (Opera Nazionale Combattenti) was officially established by the Lieutenant’s Decree of December 10, 1917, No. 1970. This decree authorized “the National Insurance Institute to issue special policies in favor of soldiers and officers of combat troops.” Article 5 of the decree outlines the purpose of creating the institution: “…to provide economic, financial, technical, and moral assistance to surviving combatants, a National Organization is hereby established, a moral entity possessing its own legal personality.”

The definitive regulations governing the structure and functions of the O.N.C. were later approved by the Royal Legislative Decree of September 16, 1926, No. 1606. This decree—with subsequent amendments—remained the fundamental reference text. The institution continued its activities for several years even after World War II. It was ultimately abolished by the Presidential Decree of July 24, 1977, No. 616, further formalized by Law No. 641 of October 21, 1978.

The figure of Orsolini Cencelli and the birth of Littoria

Despite its good intentions, the Organization initially failed to live up to its “mission.” In fact, Mussolini decided to place it into liquidation until the appointment of Hon. Valentino Orsolini Cencelli as “Government Commissioner” in September 1929. Orsolini Cencelli (1898–1971), an early Fascist and member of a family of large landowners, was considered “the right man in the right place.” Under his leadership, the O.N.C. restored financial balance and returned to its primary purpose: providing active support to former combatants, helping them reintegrate into agricultural and rural labor within the major land reclamation projects.

It would be Orsolini Cencelli who conceived the idea of the city of Littoria. At the end of 1930, he identified in a marshy area near his family’s properties the opportunity to create a major reclamation and permanent colonization project.

The following year, he presented the plan to the Duce, who approved it, and construction work began immediately. Orsolini Cencelli likely believed he was “playing at home,” bolstered by the extensive powers granted to him. On June 29, 1932, he had newspapers publish the announcement that the cornerstone of the new Town Hall would be laid the next day. When the Duce saw the news—featured even on the front page of Il Popolo d’Italia (his own newspaper)—he flew into a rage, as he had not been informed. He therefore ordered all newspapers to refrain from reporting on the event in the following days—and forever.

Inauguration of Littoria

Despite the offense, Orsolini Cencelli remained in his position; Mussolini still needed him for his projects. The inauguration of Littoria took place on December 18, 1932. On this occasion, the Duce was the absolute protagonist and announced the inauguration, in the following two years, of Sabaudia and Pontinia. Alongside the ceremonies and speeches, Orsolini Cencelli presented “His Excellency the Head of the Government” with the commemorative gold medal. These medals were described in detail on page 2 of Il Popolo d’Italia on December 20. The same medal, also in gold, was later given to the numerous distinguished figures who took part in the inauguration of Littoria. Among the most notable recipients were Ministers Costanzo Ciano and Francesco Ercole, Amilcare Rossi and Ulderico de Cesaris, and the military bishop Angelo Bartolomasi. Later, medals were also awarded to generals, members of parliament, academics, and prefects.

Auction 11, Lot 974, Ventennio Fascista (1922-1943) Medaglia An. XI dell’Era Fascista 1932 O.N.C. Opera Nazionale Combattenti – INAUGURAZIONE DI LITTORIA

Orsolini Cencelli probably received his own medal as well, not as a brazen act of self‑awarding, but in the same manner used for the one that would later be minted for the inauguration of Sabaudia.

The Inauguration of Sabaudia

Mussolini perhaps made a somewhat impulsive decision in choosing to inaugurate the city of Sabaudia (its name standing in clear contrast to Littoria) on April 21, 1934, the traditional birthday of Rome. For this reason, so as not to interfere with the sacredness of the anniversary, the inauguration was moved forward to April 15, the date commemorating the 1919 assault on the socialist newspaper Avanti! in Milan.

On this occasion, the Duce stepped aside (the news reports made no comments regarding his absence) and left the stage to Victor Emmanuel III. In a lavish ceremony, the King “christened” the new center of the Pontine Marshes. A commemorative gold medal honoring the King was, of course, presented, and it is reasonably certain that this medal served as the model, featuring on the obverse the effigy of the “Soldier King” wearing the Adrian helmet.

The Commemorative Medals

Orsolini Cencelli did not forget to pay tribute to the Duce for the event, and two days later he went to Palazzo Venezia to present the gold medal. The medal was very well received by the Head of Government (an event reported in Il Piccolo of Trieste on April 18, 1934). In this case as well, it is reasonable to assume that this was precisely the medal bearing the Duce’s effigy, published on the front page of Il Popolo d’Italia on May 10, 1934.

Auction 11, Lot 975, Ventennio Fascista (1922-1943) Medaglia An. XII dell’Era Fascista 1934 O.N.C. Opera Nazionale Combattenti – INAUGURAZIONE DI SABAUDIA

Orsolini Cencelli also received his own gold medal for Sabaudia. However, to avoid an embarrassing act of self‑awarding (since he was, in fact, the one who signed the letters or parchments accompanying the presentation of the medals), it was the officials of the O.N.C. who presented it to him during a ceremony at the Sabaudia Town Hall on April 26, 1934, by which time he had become its first Podestà.

Still far from the difficult years of the ‘unfair sanctions,’ other gold medals would be presented to high dignitaries and leading authorities, although it is likely that many of these would later be ‘offered to the Fatherland’ starting in December 1935.

See also:

• Browse the catalogue of Auction 11
• Read the blog post From the Tiber to the Taro, passing through the Castelli Romani: bridges on the medals of Auction 11