The eldest son of Baron Francesco, mayor of Sersale, and Barbara Greco, he belonged to a noble and wealthy family from the small town in the Presila district of Catanzaro.

His paternal ancestors included the archpriest Francesco Maria, who had courageously saved Sersale from destruction during the Napoleonic period, while on his mother's side Antonio Greco had been one of the first and most active Calabrian opponents of the Bourbon regime.

After probably following his primary studies with monks of the Benedictine Order, he was admitted to the Military College of the Nunziatella in Naples in 1878, where he met his later brotherly friend Alfredo Taranto and graduated first in his course.

Admitted to the Artillery academy in 1882, he was second lieutenant in the General Staff two years later and took part in the Libyan campaign, from which he returned with a bronze medal for military valour earned in the Battle of Zanzur.

He then took part in the First World War in command of the 152nd Infantry Battalion (Sassari Brigade), where he distinguished himself in the advance at Castel Gomberto and earned a silver medal for being wounded at Casara Zebio.