Decima means "Tenth," and
M.A.S. abbreviates the Italian words for "Motor Torpedo Boat,"
which harks back to the unit's formation as a speedy seaborne attack
force in World War I.
This RSI period Capitano wears the
distinctive metal arm
shield of the Decima MAS. His rank is shown by the braid on his
cuffs, here in a simplified yellow-thread version for battle dress.
The collarless woolen tunic was
unique to the Decima MAS and Italy's "Paracadutista"
(Paratroop) forces.
The ribbon in his top
buttonhole is for the German
Iron Cross 2nd Class, which was also awarded to Germany's Italian Axis
partners. His single medal ribbon is that of the Medal
for Navy Valour in Silver, the Italian Navy's second-highest bravery
award. Beneath it is the badge of the Italian Navy's elite "Nuotatori-Paracadutisti,"
or swimmer-parachutists -- air-and-sea commandos not unlike the now-famous
U.S. Navy "SEALs."
Below this badge is the Iron
Cross 1st Class. On his right chest is the "Addestramento
Germania" badge, given to members of the many Italian units who
trained under the Germans. He also wears the signature Decima MAS M41
beret, with metal officer's insignia instead of the prescribed
anchor-design cloth badge.
This was a popular example
of "Fuori Ordinanza" meaning "out of regulation"
uniform among the Decima MAS. His weapon is the Carcano
M38 "Mannlicher" carbine, for which he wears the
standard-issue dual ammunition pouches on his leather utility belt. Tucked
in the belt is a German "potato masher" M24 stick grenade.