About Luigi Gorrini
Luigi Gorrini, MOVM, was an Italian World War II fighter pilot in the Regia Aeronautica and in the Aeronautica Nazionale Repubblicana. During the conflict, he flew with the Corpo Aereo Italiano during the Battle of Britain, fought over Libya and Tunisia, and was involved in the defence of the Italian mainland. Gorrini is believed to have shot down 19 Allied planes, and damaged another 9, of several types: Bristol Beaufighter, Bristol Blenheim, Curtiss P-40, Spitfire, P-38 Lightning, P-47 Thunderbolt, B-17 Flying Fortress and B-24 Liberator. He piloted the biplane Fiat C.R.42 and monoplanes Macchi C.202 and C.205 Veltro. With the Veltro he shot down 14 Allied planes and damaged six more. At the time of his death, he was the only surviving fighter pilot awarded the Medaglia d'Oro al Valor Militare. While the second Beaufighter was taking evasive action, Gorrini closed to a distance of 250 meters hitting the first Bristol again. Gorrini left his B-24 on fire after his first pass, but two escorting P-47 Thunderbolts bounced his leader and shot him down, killing Lieutenant Satta. Gorrini was awarded the Medaglia d'oro al Valor Militare (in 1958), the Bronzo twice and the First and Second Class German Iron Cross. At the time of his death, he was the only surviving fighter pilot awarded the Medaglia d'Oro al Valor Militare (Gold Medal of Military Valor).
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