Napoli. 78 years have passed since September 23, 1943, a date made famous by the immortal sacrifice of the Servant of God Salvo D'Acquisto, Vice Brigadier of the Carabinieri. The soldier, awarded the gold medal for military valor in memory and currently , offered his life in exchange for the liberation of 22 innocent people rounded up by Nazi militias in the Roman town of Torre di Palidoro, not far from Torrimpietra.
Just 24 hours earlier, a German soldier was killed and two others were injured when an ammunition crate exploded. Although it was an accident, the invading troops considered it a reckless ambush organized by the Italians.
The Nazi officer in command, despite the Italian soldier's repeated attempts to persuade him, ordered 22 people to be rounded up at random among the houses of the small town in the Roman province and had them taken to the foot of the Torre di Palidoro.
Their interrogation was in vain, none of the words they spoke were heard.
The rifles were already aimed, loaded, but just before they fired, Salvo D'Acquisto decided to turn to the Nazi, offering new hope to the 22 innocents: "I offer my life in exchange for their liberation!" These were the words he uttered in a loud voice, before the terrified and incredulous looks of those condemned to death, already forced to dig their own graves with their own hands.
His sacrifice was not in vain and when at 17:15 pm Feldwevel Hansel Feiten gave the order to pull the triggers, Salvo D'Acquisto gave new life to 22 innocent souls and an eternal echo to his name. “Long live Italy!” he shouted shortly before dying and today, 78 years after that day, the Carabinieri celebrate the heroism of the Neapolitan vice brigadier.
And it is in the very land that gave birth to the hero, then in command of the Carabinieri station of Torrimpietra, that the inter-regional commander of the “Ogaden” Army Corps General Maurizio Detalmo Mezzavilla, together with the commander of the “Campania” Carabinieri legion Brigadier General Antonio Jannece and the Provincial Commander of the Carabinieri of Naples General Enrico Scandone, placed a cushion of flowers on his tomb, in the Basilica of Santa Chiara.
A laurel wreath was subsequently laid – in the presence of the Prefect of Naples Marco Valentini – on the recently restored monument, in the square that took the name of the soldier and a military representation paid homage to the hero.
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