Tenente Giorgio Michetti was a World War I

World War I

World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...

 flying ace

Flying ace

A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The actual number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or more...

 credited with five aerial victories.

Early life and service

Giorgio Michetti was the son of famous painter Francesco Paolo Michetti. The younger Michetti was raised in a bohemian household on the Adriatic seafront; he grew up in a progressive atmosphere, knowing Gabriele d'Annunzio

Gabriele D'Annunzio

Gabriele D'Annunzio or d'Annunzio was an Italian poet, journalist, novelist, and dramatist...

. Giorgio Michetti served his conscription duty in 1905. Ten years later, he was recalled to military service when Italy entered World War I.

World War I

This time, Michetti volunteered for aviation. He was posted to a reconnaissance unit, rank sergente. In early 1917, he went off to fighter training and was commissioned. On 29 July 1917, he was posted to 76a Squadriglia. During the next few months, he clocked up flying time for experience, but had few brushes with the enemy. It was probably during this era that Michetti played one of the practical jokes for which he was noted; he bombed the Austro-Hungarians with a bag full of rats. On the day after Christmas, he scored his first victory, being one of several winners over a German DFW C.I.

On 12 March 1918, while landing at Casoni, Michetti rammed a plane from 22a Squadriglia. Although the airmen escaped with minor injuries, both planes were totally destroyed. On the 21st, he scored the first of four consecutive victories shared with his friend Silvio Scaroni

Silvio Scaroni

Tenente Silvio Scaroni was an Italian World War I fighter pilot credited with 26 victories. He was the second ranking Italian ace of the war.-Early service:...

. He ended this string on 24 June 1918, when his fifth win made him an ace. In September 1918, he was assigned to Aerial Gunnery School; the war ended while he was still in this slot.

Post World War I

In 1919, Michetti and Scaroni promoted Italian aircraft sales in a visit to Argentina. Afterwards, Michetti slipped into obscurity, although he is known to have continued in the air force reserves.