Giovanni Esposito (May 18, 1882 – June 3, 1958) was an Italian general during World War II and a recipient of the Gold Medal of Military Valor.

During the battle of March 3, 1912 near the "Lombardia" redoubt, his battalion withstood an assault by superior Turkish-Arab forces; he distinguished himself during this action, keeping fighting even after being wounded in the leg and until he was hit again in the abdomen.

After recovering from his wounds, in October 1913 he began to attend the Army School of War, and was then promoted to captain and assigned to the 2nd Alpini Regiment.

He led the division during the harsh winter spent on the Tomorr, the bloody fighting on Mali Spadarit and Selami, and finally the advance into Greek territory towards Konitsa at the end of the campaign; for this he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Military Order of Savoy.

The columns of the Alpini and other Italian units fought relentlessly between the Adriatic Sea and Lake Scutari, and in a few days the encircled garrisons were freed and roads made safe.

After killing of collaborationist Chetnik leader in Krnjača on January 26, Italian Army went to arrest all adult males from the village and steal cattle, however population already fled.

After the end of the operation, Esposito was repatriated with his division, awarded a Silver Medal of Military Valor, and transferred to the Army reserve on May 18, 1942, but appointed Inspector of the Alpine Troops in Rome.

[1][2][9][3] At the time of the proclamation of the Armistice of Cassibile on September 8, 1943, the Julian March was defended by the XXIII Army Corps of General Alberto Ferrero, who refused to fight against the Germans, declaring Trieste indefensible.

At 18:00 on September 10, Esposito signed the transfer of civil and military powers to the German Operational Zone of the Adriatic Littoral at his headquarters in Villa Necker.