Oreste Salomone

Capua, 1879-the sky above Padua,1918

World War I: Bombers

An infantry officer, he participates in the Italo-Turkish war as an observer in the aviation. After obtaining his civilian and military pilot’s licences, in April 1914 he beats the Italian altitude record (4,700 meters). With the rank of captain, he participates in WWI first in the 8th Squadrilla (Macchi-Nieuport Ni.10) and then in the 2nd Fighter and Reconnaissance Squadrilla. Sent to the 1st Bombing Squadrilla (Caproni Ca.33), on 18 February 1916 he takes part in the raid over Ljubljana: injured he returns in his own aircraft (‘Roman Eagle’) bearing the bodies of his two companions. Transferred to the 10th Squadrilla, he crashes on 2 February 1918. Gold Medal of Military Valor.

Bibliographical references
Mencarelli, Igino|  1970 Oreste Salomone (20 settembre 1879-3 febbraio 1918): prima medaglia d’oro al V.M. dell’Aeronautica militare italiana. Roma: Ufficio storico aeronautica militare.