Alberto Da Zara

Alberto Da Zara' (8 April 1889, Padua - 4 June 1951, Foggia) was one of the most notable admirals of the Italian Regia Marina. He joined it in 1907 and fought aboard battleships in the Italo-Turkish War and the First World War. In the inter-war years he alternated between commanding torpedo boats and cruisers and acting as a naval commander in the Aegean Sea and the Far East. He became an admiral in 1939 and after some minor commands early in the Second World War he led 7th Naval Division, playing a major part in the Battle of Pantelleria. After the Italian armistice with the Allies, he was interned on Malta.

Family
Alberto's father was a former cavalry officer and his brother Guido died fighting in Croatia as a cavalry officer on 16 February 1943 while commanding the Cavalleggeri di Alessandria regiment. Da Zara never married, but he won the nickname latin lover by his conduct in high society in Italy and the Far East - during his time in China, his conquests seem to have included Wallis Simpson, future wife of King Edward VIII.

Ranks
Guardiamarina (1911), Sottotenente di Vascello (1913), Tenente di Vascello (1915), Capitano di Corvetta (1923), Capitano di Fregata (1927), Capitano di Vascello (1933), Contrammiraglio (1939), Ammiraglio di Divisione (1941), Ammiraglio di Squadra (1944).

Honours

 * Military Order of Italy - Commander
 * War Merit Cross
 * Commemorative Medal for the Italo-Turkish War 1911-1912
 * Commemorative Medal for the Italo-Austrian War 1915-1918 (4 campaign-year stars)
 * Commemorative Medal of the Unity of Italy
 * Allied Victory Medal
 * Order of Aviz - awarded by Portugal