Italo Sarrocco (11 May 1898 – 8 January 2007) was one of the last surviving veterans of
the First World War
World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...
, and one of the oldest people in
Italy at the time of his death. He fought for Italy at the all important
Battle of Vittorio Veneto in October–November 1918 in the final stage of the war, which ended the war for the
Austro-Hungarian Empire
Austria-Hungary, often referred to as the Austro-Hungarian Empire,, the Dual Monarchy, or Austria, was a constitutional monarchy and great power in Central Europe between 1867 and 1918. It was formed with the Austro-Hungarian Compromise of ...
, and caused the
German Empire
The German Empire (),Herbert Tuttle wrote in September 1881 that the term "Reich" does not literally connote an empire as has been commonly assumed by English-speaking people. The term literally denotes an empire – particularly a hereditary ...
to end the war as well.
Late in his life, he was honoured with the
Italian order of merit called the Knight of the Order of
Vittorio Veneto (Ordine di Vittorio Veneto), which is a medal (or Iron Cross). Italo received the Cross for his service in the war at the pivotal battle for which it was named. To qualify for the Cross, the soldiers had to have six months of combat and have already received the
War Merit Cross. This is a knighthood created in 1968 for World War I veterans, in order to commemorate 50 years after the war, which was given by the
President of the Republic of Italy
The president of Italy, officially denoted as president of the Italian Republic ( it, Presidente della Repubblica Italiana) is the head of state of Italy. In that role, the president represents national unity, and guarantees that Italian poli ...
. This Cross was created with the knowledge that the Order of Vittorio Veneto would pass into history after all the knights died, like the veterans themselves.
Italo died in his home town of
Rivisondoli at the age of 108. Many of the regional authorities were involved in honouring him at his funeral.
References
Italo Sarrocco death notice @ Rete5.tv
External links
*
The Order of Vittorio Veneto @ the Italian Wikipedia
Italian Medals @ the website of the office of the President of the Republic of Italy
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sarrocco, Italo
1898 births
2007 deaths
Italian centenarians
Men centenarians
Italian military personnel of World War I
Recipients of the War Merit Cross (Italy)
Knights of the Order of Vittorio Veneto