Cesare Airaghi

Cesare Airaghi (4 October 1840 - 1 March 1896) was an Italian military officer and war hero who participated in several conflicts during the 19th century. While attending the University of Pavia, Airaghi enlisted in the 9th Infantry Regiment and participated in the Second Italian War of Independence. Following the war, he finished his studies and graduated as an engineer.

He was promoted to captain on 14 July 1866 and fought in the Third Italian War of Independence. He was promoted to colonel in October 1888 and fought in the First Italo-Ethiopian War before being killed at the Battle of Adwa. Airaghi was posthumously awarded the Gold Medal of Military Valor on 1 March 1896, for his command at Adwa and a plaque was placed in Milan in his memory.

Early years Cesare was born on 4 October 1840, as the son of Giovanni Battista and Marietta Lattuada at Milan. When he was 14, his father was killed and Cesare was forced to be responsible for his family's finance. While attending the University of Pavia, Airaghi enlisted in the 9th Infantry Regiment and participated in the Second Italian War of Independence. He was appointed as Second Lieutenant of the 17th Infantry Division and fought at the Battle of Palestro. After the war, Airaghi resumed his studies at the University of Pavia and eventually graduated as an engineer. During the Battle of Adwa, he conducted repeated assaults on the Ethiopian forces with enthusiasm and courage. Despite his success at keeping the Ethiopian forces back, they were beginning to outnumber Airaghi's regiment, and they surrounded and he was killed in the fighting.