Luigi Viviani

Luigi Viviani (23 November 1903 – 27 September 1943) was an Italian engineer and soldier, posthumously awarded the Gold Medal of Military Valour.

Biography Luigi Viviani, the fourth son of Giovanni and Rosa Fusar Poli, attended primary school and gymnasium in Crema. He then moved to Milan to attend the liceo classico (classical high school) and eventually enrolled in the faculty of civil engineering, graduating on 30 December 1926. During his studies he actively participated in the initiatives of the Avanguardia Giovanile Cattolica (Catholic Youth Vanguard) of Milan.

After the Armistice of Cassibile, Captain Viviani's battery was attacked by former German allies and on 17 September 1943, at Kalathos Airfield, the Italian military was forced to surrender. Viviani was identified, transferred and imprisoned with some comrades in the Averoff prison in Athens. He was shot in the early hours of the day on 27 September 1943.