Giuseppe Fontana
{{Short description|Italian naval officer (1902–1941)}}
{{Infobox military person
|name=Giuseppe Fontana
|birth_date= {{birth date|df=yes|1902|8|22}}
|death_date= {{death date and age|df=yes|1941|1|10|1902|8|22}}
|birth_place= Vicenza, Kingdom of Italy
|death_place= Mediterranean Sea, off Pantelleria
|placeofburial=
|image=Giuseppe Fontana.jpg
|caption=
|nickname=
|allegiance={{flag|Kingdom of Italy}}
|branch= {{navy|Kingdom of Italy}}
|serviceyears= 1918–1941
|rank=Capitano di Fregata (Commander)
|commands=* Albatros (torpedo boat)
- Vega (torpedo boat)
- 10th Torpedo Boat Squadron
|unit=
|battles=Spanish Civil War
- Operation Excess {{KIA}}
|awards=*Gold Medal of Military Valor (posthumous)
|laterwork=
}}
Giuseppe Fontana (22 August 1902 – 10 January 1941) was an Italian naval officer during World War II.
Biography
He was born in Vicenza on 22 August 1902, and after enlisting in the Royal Italian Navy at the age of sixteen, he began to attend the Royal Naval Academy of Livorno, graduating with the rank of ensign in July 1923. He was promoted to sub-lieutenant in 1925 and lieutenant in 1928. After serving on various warships, he obtained his first command with the torpedo boat Albatros and later became executive officer of the armored cruiser San Giorgio.[https://www.marina.difesa.it/noi-siamo-la-marina/storia/la-nostra-storia/medaglie/Pagine/fontanagiuseppe.aspx Marina Militare][https://www.combattentiereduci.it/notizie/mediterraneo-centrale-10-gennaio-1941-due-medaglie-d-oro-per-l-affondamento-della-torpediniera-vega Mediterraneo centrale, 10 gennaio 1941, due medaglie d’oro per l’affondamento della torpediniera Vega][https://www.combattentiliberazione.it/movm-dal-1935-al-7-sett-1943/fontana-giuseppe Fontana Giuseppe]
After promotion to lieutenant commander on January 25, 1937, he became executive officer of the destroyer Antonio Da Noli, on which he took part in naval blockade operations against the Second Spanish Republic during the Spanish Civil War. On March 28, 1939 he was given command of the 10th Torpedo Boat Squadron, raising his flag on the Vega, of which he was also the commanding officer. Shortly before the Kingdom of Italy entered the Second World War on 10 June 1940, he was promoted to the rank of Commander.[https://www.marina.difesa.it/noi-siamo-la-marina/storia/la-nostra-storia/medaglie/Pagine/fontanagiuseppe.aspx Marina Militare][https://www.combattentiereduci.it/notizie/mediterraneo-centrale-10-gennaio-1941-due-medaglie-d-oro-per-l-affondamento-della-torpediniera-vega Mediterraneo centrale, 10 gennaio 1941, due medaglie d’oro per l’affondamento della torpediniera Vega][https://www.combattentiliberazione.it/movm-dal-1935-al-7-sett-1943/fontana-giuseppe Fontana Giuseppe]
At dawn on 10 January 1941 Vega and sistership Circe were sent to intercept a British convoy bound for Malta (Operation Excess) off Pantelleria. Between 7:26 and 7:28 the two torpedo boats unsuccessfully launched their torpedoes and then engaded the convoy escort, consisting of three light cruisers and five destroyers, with their guns. One of Vega
References
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Fontana, Giuseppe}}
Category:Recipients of the Gold Medal of Military Valor
Category:Regia Marina personnel of the Spanish Civil War