Domenico Millelire

Domenico Millelire, pseudonym of Domenico Leoni, (1761 in La Maddalena – 14 August 1827 in La Maddalena) was an Italian patriot, and officer of Regia Marina Sarda (Sardinian Royal Navy). He is recognised to have gained the first Gold Medal of Military Valor in Italian history.[1] Millelire gave the first defeat to Napoleon Bonaparte.

Biography

He was a son of Pietro Leoni and Maria Ornano, his three brothers were Navy officers too. On 23 February 1793, Domenico Millelire, in command of the Sardinian fleet, defeated near the Maddalena archipelago the fleets of the French Republic which included, with the rank of lieutenant, the young and future Emperor of France Napoleon Bonaparte.[2] He was subsequently decorated as recompense with the gold medal of the Reign of Sardinia and a life annuity of 300 Lire.[3]

Bibliography

References

  1. ^ "Cerimonia di commemorazione per Domenico 'Millelire', prim medaglia d'oro al valor militare della Marina - Marina Militare". www.marina.difesa.it. Archived from the original on 2016-03-03.
  2. ^ "BellaSardegna.it Personaggi di Sardegna: Domenico Millelire". Archived from the original on 2011-07-22. Retrieved 2012-11-21. DOMENICO MILLELIRE: Il sardo che sconfisse Napoleone
  3. ^ http://www.napoleon-series.org/military/battles/1793/c_maddalena.html La Maddalena, 22/25 February 1793 The baptism of fire of a young Lieutenant Colonel, a certain Napoleone Di Buonaparte from Ajaccio.
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