Francesco De Rosa was an Italian major of the

First Italo-Ethiopian War The First Italo-Ethiopian War, lit. ''Abyssinian War'' was fought between Italy and Ethiopia from 1895 to 1896. It originated from the disputed Treaty of Wuchale, which the Italians claimed turned Ethiopia into an Italian protectorate. Full-sc ...

. He commanded the 1st Artillery Brigade during the

Battle of Adwa The Battle of Adwa (; ti, ውግእ ዓድዋ; , also spelled ''Adowa'') was the climactic battle of the First Italo-Ethiopian War. The Ethiopian forces defeated the Italian invading force on Sunday 1 March 1896, near the town of Adwa. The de ...

and was a posthumous recipient of the

Gold Medal of Military Valor The Gold Medal of Military Valour ( it, Medaglia d'oro al valor militare) is an Italian medal established on 21 May 1793 by King Victor Amadeus III of Sardinia for deeds of outstanding gallantry in war by junior officers and soldiers. The fac ...

for his brave service in the battle before being killed in action.

Early Military Career

He was born in Potenza on October 13, 1853 as the son of Nicola and Elisabetta Palese. He was admitted to attend the

Military Academy of Modena The Military Academy of Modena ( it, Accademia militare di Modena) is a military university in Modena, northern Italy. Located in the Palazzo Ducale in the historic center of the city, it was the first such military institution to be created in ...

in the infantry and cavalry classes from November 1871. The following year he transferred to the in the artillery classes before graduating as a Second Lieutenant on July 25, 1875, entering into service at the 11th Artillery Regiment. After attending the Weapon Application School, he was promoted to lieutenant on May 1877 and assigned to the mountain artillery specialty. Having become captain on May 10, 1883, he was admitted to attend the Army War College at the end of which he entered service at the General Staff, and then at the 10th Artillery Regiment.

Service in Eritrea

He was then sent to Eritrea on November 2, 1887 and assigned to the 1st Battery of the 7th Artillery Brigade of the . He took part in the reconquest of the fort of Saati on February 1, 1888, of which he then assumed command, returning to his homeland in February 1889 after the unfortunate action of Saganeiti. He was promoted to major on October 10, 1895 and he took over the management of the foundry in Naples but asked to return to Eritrea.

First Italo-Ethiopian War

On February 14, 1896 he left for Massawa, where he assumed command of the indigenous artillery formed by the 1st (Captain Henry) and 2nd Battery, assigned to the indigenous Brigade of Major General Matteo Albertone. On February 27, at the Saurià camp, the 1st Mountain Artillery Brigade was set up with which it reached about three kilometers from the hill of Chidane Meret in the early hours of March 1. With 14 75B Mont. pieces arranged, he began precise shooting, even with machine guns, against the Ethiopian attacking formations that caused serious losses to the enemy, but when the Ethiopian troops from Abba Garima and Amba Scelledà hit the batteries, now without ammunition, he remained on the front line fighting hand to hand until he was killed with his men in fierce fighting. To honor his courage, he was posthumously awarded the Silver Medal for Military Valor and later, the Gold Medal.

Legacy

Lapide_commemorativa_del_maggiore_Francesco_De_Rosa

The city of Potenza has dedicated a military barracks to him. Another barracks named after him was in L'Aquila, in the Quarto San Marciano but was demolished after the war as only remnants remain currently.

Awards

Silver Medal of Military Valor The Silver Medal of Military Valor ( it, Medaglia d'argento al valor militare) is an Italian medal for gallantry. Italian medals for valor were first instituted by Victor Amadeus III of Sardinia on 21 May 1793, with a gold medal, and, below it, ...

References

Bibliography

* * * * * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:De Rosa, Francesco 1853 births 1896 deaths Italian Army officers People from Potenza People of former Italian colonies Recipients of the Gold Medal of Military Valor Recipients of the Silver Medal of Military Valor Italian military personnel of the First Italo-Ethiopian War Italian military personnel killed in the First Italo-Ethiopian War