Gold Medal: Antonio Cicirello
Born in 1911 in Callao (Peru)
Second lieutenant, 7th Alpini Regiment
Year of award: 1939
Citation for the Gold Medal of Military Valour (posthumous):
The son of Italians living abroad, he came back from Peru as a volunteer to do his military service and asked to take part in the Ethiopian campaign, showing a high patriotic spirit and great devotion to duty. Engaged in very fierce fighting, on which the outcome of further operations in the Tembien depended, he threw himself where the struggle was fiercest, having the machine guns moved to the most suitable points and encouraging his men with his calm bearing. After setting up a weapon where the enemy was attempting a desperate assault, and while firing it himself and mowing down the ranks of the savage attackers, he was mortally hit, sealing with his sacrifice a youth devoted to the most ardent love of his country. Uork Amba (Tembien), 27 February 1936.
Decree registered with the Court of Auditors (Corte dei conti) on 24 March 1939, register 13, sheet 97.
Biographical notes:
Born in Callao, Peru, into a family of Italian emigrants, he returned to Italy as a volunteer for his military service and asked to leave for Ethiopia with the 7th Alpini Regiment. He fell at Uork Amba, in the Tembien, on 27 February 1936.
Related article: The Sons of Belluno at War.
