Vincenzo De Feo

Vincenzo De Feo was born in Mirabello Sannitico near Campobasso in September 1876. His paternal uncle, Francesco De Feo, was a patriot during the Risorgimento and in 1860 commanded the "First Legion Sannitica". The young Vincenzo was formed in the Italian Naval Academy of Livorno, where it came out in October 1890 with the degree in electrical engineering.

He took part in the 1911–1912 Italo-Turkish War. During World War I he fought in submarines participating in various military operations in the Mediterranean sea, for which he was decorated with two "Silver war medals" in 1915 and in 1918.

Vincenzo De Feo became Admiral on December 20, 1934.

He was even a clever technician who, only in "Italian Marina", boasted patents of five specializations: underwater weapons, chemical explosives, electronics, telegraphy, ballistics. He invented a peculiar gyroscope called gimetro, an aiming system that was adopted by the Italian fleet from 1930 on all control shooting. De Feo collaborated with the "Rivista Marittima" from 1906 to 1936, supporting the strategic importance of submarines and aircraft carriers in naval battles. As uncle of Ugo Tiberio, he supported his research at the Naval Academy for the development of the Italian radar system.

De Feo was appointed in 1937 Governor of 'Eritrea and remained in Italian Asmara since April 1, 1937 until December 15, 1937. He succeeded to Alfredo Guzzoni, and was later replaced by Giuseppe Daodice.

He was appointed Senator in the Parliament of the Kingdom of Italy, on the proposal of the "Ministero della Marina" on March 25, 1939 and was sworn in April 17, 1939.

When World War II started De Feo was assigned to the "Commission of Armistice with France": he signed the Protocol, related to the "Italian Marina" issues, that regulated the conditions of the French surrender.

In Rome the High Court of Justice for Sanctions against Fascism on August 7, 1944 punished him for having supported fascism and declared that he was held responsible of promoting war: he made possible it with his votes and with individual actions, including propaganda carried on and off the Senate.[2]

He died in Rome on January 17, 1955.

Grand'Ufficiale dell'Ordine Corona d'Italia

Medaglia commemorativa dell'Unità d'Italia

Medaglia commemorativa della guerra italo-austriaca (1915 – 18)

As Admiral & Governor, Vincenzo De Feo received many Awards & Medals. These are the most important:

• Cavaliere dell'Ordine della Corona d'Italia (December 29, 1912)
• Ufficiale dell'Ordine della Corona d'Italia (June 2, 1924)
• Commendatore dell'Ordine della Corona d'Italia (February 6, 1926)
• Grande ufficiale dell'Ordine della Corona d'Italia (October 26, 1933)
• Gran Cordone dell'Ordine coloniale della Stella d'Italia (January 10, 1938)
• Medaglia commemorativa della guerra italo-turca
• Medaglia d'argento al valore militare (2)
• Medaglia commemorativa della guerra 1915–1918
• Medaglia interalleata della Vittoria

• Goffredo Orlandi Contucci, A.O.I.- AFRICA ORIENTALE ITALIANA - La conquista dell'Impero nel ricordo del tenente Goffredo Orlandi Contucci - Edizioni MyLife, Monte Colombo/Coriano, 2009 ISBN 978-88-6285-100-8

• Eritrea Governorate