Giovanni Barbini
Giovanni Barbini | |
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| Born | 25 June 1901 Venice, Veneto, Italy |
| Died | 26 September 1998 (aged 97) Rosignano Marittimo, Tuscany, Italy |
| Allegiance |  Kingdom of Italy |
| Service/ | Regia Marina Italian Navy |
| Years of service | 1922–1956 |
| Commands held |
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| Battles/wars |
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| Awards | |
Giovanni Barbini (25 June 1901 – 26 September 1998) was an Italian naval officer during World War II.
Biography
Barbini was born in
San Marco Regiment and the Pula Naval Command. He was promoted to sub-lieutenant in March 1927 and to Lieutenant
in November 1936.
On 19 November 1939 he assumed command of the torpedo boat Angelo Bassini, which he still commanded when Italy entered World War II on 10 June 1940.[1]
Having been given command of the torpedo boat
blood loss from a wounded leg, he refused medical aid until the fighting was over, and maintained command of his ship until it was safely moored in harbour.[2][3][4] For his determined defense of the convoy in the face of a superior enemy, Barbini was awarded the Gold Medal of Military Valor.[1]
After recovering from his wounds, Barbini was transferred to the Venice Naval Department; he was promoted to lieutenant commander in July 1941, and to Commander in January 1943.[1] At the time of the Armistice of Cassibile, he was serving at the Venice Naval Command; he adhered to the Italian Social Republic, and was appointed mayor (podestà) of Venice till 1945.[5]
In March 1947 he was transferred in auxiliary, on his request. In September 1952 he was recalled to temporary service, stationed in
Ebe and later transferred to the Autonomous Naval Command Venice. In February 1955 he was transferred to the reserve, but he remained in active service till July 1956, when he became Director of the Cini Foundation and commander of the training ship Giorgio Cini.[1]
On 1 July 1961 he was promoted to captain in the Naval Reserve. He died in Rosignano Marittimo, Livorno province, on 26 September 1998.[5]
References
- ^ a b c d Giovanni Barbini on the Website of the Italian Navy
- ^ Giorgio Giorgerini, La guerra italiana sul mare. La Marina tra vittoria e sconfitta 1940-1943, pp. 221-222.
- ^ La torpediniera Nicola Fabrizi in Adriatico e la scorta dei convogli per la Grecia.
- ^ Giuseppe Fioravanzo, La Marina italiana nella seconda guerra mondiale: La guerra nel Mediterraneo – Le azioni navali – Tomo I: Dal 10.6.1940 al 31.3.1941, pp. 251 to 255, Italian Navy Historical Branch.
- ^ a b Dizionario Biografico Uomini della Marina