Ernesto Cabruna

Capitano Ernesto Cabruna (2 June 1889 – 9 January 1960) was an Italian professional soldier who became a World War I flying ace credited with eight aerial victories. He served in Italy's military police, beginning in 1907. After service in Libya and Rhodes, he received a Bronze Medal for Military Valor a year after Italy's involvement in World War I began. He turned to aviation, became a pilot, and as such earned his first Silver Medal for Military Valor at the end of 1917.

In 1918, Cabruna twice singlehandedly attacked swarms of enemy aircraft, winning victories both times. He was also raised into the officers' ranks. On 26 September 1918, he broke his clavicle. Two days later, he forced his way back to flying to participate in the Battle of Vittorio Veneto. He claimed his final two aerial victories on 25 October. The day before the Austro-Hungarian surrender, 2 November 1918, Cabruna strafed two of their airplanes parked on their own airfield. He then won a Gold award of the Medal for Military Valor.

Cabruna remained in military service postwar, serving as Aide de Camp to the Aviation Chief of Staff. He became an intimate of proto-fascist poet Gabrielle D'Annunzio. He left the military on 2 June 1932, having served his nation a quarter of a century. When he died on 9 January 1960, he was interred on D'Annunzio's estate. His Spad VII fighter plane is enshrined in the Italian Air Force Museum.

Early life and service Ernesto Cabruna was born on 2 June 1889 in Tortona, the Kingdom of Italy. His family were merchants. Young Cabruna attended technical school until, on 18 October 1907, he joined the Carabinieri Reali, Italy's version of military police. The following year, he performed commendably during the 1908 Messina earthquake. On 30 September 1911, he was promoted to Vice Brigadiere. From April 1912 to May 1913, he was posted to Tripolitania, Libya. He later took part in the occupation of Rhodes.

World War I On 31 January 1915, Cabruna was promoted to Brigadier. In October 1915, he was posted to the 10th Company of the Turin and Allievi (Cadets) Legion. On 15 May 1916, while stationed near Asiago, he rescued victims of an Austro-Hungarian bombing raid

He would score a victory for his new squadron on 12 March 1918.

“A skilled and daring fighter pilot, he demonstrated, in all circumstances, admirable calm and cool-headedness by carrying out numerous important combat flights. On 14 November 1917, on escort duty, he was attacked by three enemy aircraft and engaged in combat, giving up only after the escorted aircraft had returned to our lines unharmed. On 26 October and 5 December 1917, after a lively fight, he shot down two opposing aircraft. Sky over the Karst Plateau and Piave, 14 November, 26 October, and 5 December 1917"

"While enemy artillery bombarded a town, he waited to save the wounded, remaining on site to carry out the merciful work under the intense enemy fire. Asiago, 15 May 1916."

"An aviator pilot officer of undisputed value, although in delicate health, he constantly demonstrated skill and audacity. In the last great offensive, his collarbone not yet healed, which limited the use of his right arm, he decided to leave the hospital and return to his squadron. And, during a risky reconnaissance of a distant enemy airfield, he managed to set two planes on fire, giving a good demonstration of courage and contempt for danger." — Latisana–Aiello del Friuli 27 August–2 November 1918

"Today, on the eighth anniversary of the Ronchi march, I award the gold medal to my legionary Ernesto Cabruna, already my glorious wingmate of the III Army. He was the first aviator to arrive in Fiume, which I occupied. As my liaison officer, as my secret affairs officer, he rendered great service to the Cause. Obeying my well-defined orders, he remained in Fiume after the "Bloody Christmas." He represented me nobly and sagaciously in the negotiations for the evacuation of the port of Sauro. Finally he completed the undertaking that I had entrusted to him by leading the Action of 3 March 1922, as head of the Military Council, and thus seconding that annexation which will necessarily have to be extended to all the Bebie Alps and the Dinarics." — Vittoriale, 12 September 1927, Gabriele d'Annunzio from Montenevoso

"Having sighted and reached, alone, in the sky over Conegliano an enemy aircraft escorted by ten fighters, including three red ones, which are believed to be mounted by the best Austro-German "aces", he gave up on the crazy adventure of facing them there, which, however, he did as soon as he saw them determined to turn towards our territory, giving battle, always alone, to all eleven with sublime temerity, managing, thanks to very skillful maneuvers, to isolate the red 'patrol leader' and disrupt and disperse the remaining ten, who all fled one by one by gliding into their territory, definitively giving up carrying out reconnaissance or bombing." — 4 April 1918