The award came as a result of the Battle of Longarone , and the capture of Mount Matajur , Slovenia , and its defenders , numbering 150 Italian officers , 9,000 men , and 81 pieces of artillery . The award was for the Battle of Longarone and the capture of Mount Matajur and its Italian defenders , which totalled 150 officers , 9,000 men , and 81 artillery pieces .