| Giorgio Michetti | |
|---|---|
| Born | 29 May 1888 Francaville a Mare, Italy |
| Died | 4 February 1966 Rome, Italy |
| Allegiance | Italy |
| Service/branch | Flying service |
| Rank | Tenente |
| Unit | 43a Squadriglia, 76a Squadriglia |
| Awards | 2 Silver awards of Medal for Military Valor |
Tenente Giorgio Michetti was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.[1]
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Giorgio Michetti was the son of famous painter Francesco Paolo Michetti. The younger Michetti was raised in a bohemian household on the Adriatic seafront; he grew up in a progressive atmosphere, knowing Gabriele d'Annunzio. Giorgio Michetti served his conscription duty in 1905. Ten years later, he was recalled to military service when Italy entered World War I.[2]
This time, Michetti volunteered for aviation. He was posted to a reconnaissance unit, rank sergente. In early 1917, he went off to fighter training and was commissioned. On 29 July 1917, he was posted to 76a Squadriglia. During the next few months, he clocked up flying time for experience, but had few brushes with the enemy. It was probably during this era that Michetti played one of the practical jokes for which he was noted; he bombed the Austro-Hungarians with a bag full of rats. On the day after Christmas, he scored his first victory, being one of several winners over a German DFW C.I.[3]
On 12 March 1918, while landing at Casoni, Michetti rammed a plane from 22a Squadriglia. Although the airmen escaped with minor injuries, both planes were totally destroyed. On the 21st, he scored the first of four consecutive victories shared with his friend Silvio Scaroni. He ended this string on 24 June 1918, when his fifth win made him an ace. In September 1918, he was assigned to Aerial Gunnery School; the war ended while he was still in this slot.[4]
In 1919, Michetti and Scaroni promoted Italian aircraft sales in a visit to Argentina. Afterwards, Michetti slipped into obscurity, although he is known to have continued in the air force reserves.[5]