King Victor Emmanuel III established the Commemorative Medal for Military Operations in East Africa with Royal Decree No.

It also abolished the Medal in Memory of the Campaigns and Service Provided in the Italian Colonies of East Africa and in the Related Areas of Influence (Italian: :Medaglia a ricordo delle campagne e del servizio prestato nelle colonie italiane dell'Africa Orientale e nelle relative zone d'influenza) — known until 1923 as the Commemorative Medal of the African Campaigns (Italian: :Medaglia commemorativa delle campagne d'Africa) — without prejudice to the rights of those who already had been awarded the medal, and replaced it with the Commemorative Medal for Military Operations in East Africa, with effect backdated to 3 October 1935, the first day of the Second Italo-Ethiopian War.

[4] Personnel who participated in Italian military operations in East Africa from 3 October 1935 (the first day of the Second Italo-Ethiopian War) to 1936 qualified for the medal.

The motto "MOLTI NEMICI, MOLTO ONORE" ("MANY ENEMIES, MUCH HONOR") and the signature of Prime Minister Benito Mussolini lie below the scenery.

A pin in the shape of a flaming gladius could be attached to the ribbon to recognize participation in active combat operations.