He was credited with eight or nine confirmed aerial victories (sources vary), and died in service to his nation on 5 May 1918.
Nicelli was born on 27 October 1893 in Lugagnano Val d'Arda, Province of Piacenza, the Kingdom of Italy.
[1] As 79a Squadriglia was drawn into the Battle of Caporetto towards the end of 1917, Nicelli forced down two Austro-Hungarian airplanes and won his first Silver award of the Medal for Military Valor.
On 30 January 1918, he claimed his sixth victory and was once again awarded the Silver Medal for Military Valor.
The victory claims of Italian aces were scrutinized postwar by a commission from Italy's Military Intelligence branch.