Raffaele Cadorna

Born in Milan, Cadorna entered the Piedmontese military academy at Turin in 1832.

He won distinction during the Second War of Independence at the Battle of San Martino and was awarded the rank of Colonel in 1859.

Cadorna served as a lieutenant general and corps commander in the Italian front of the Austro-Prussian War.

Cadorna's capture of Rome on 20 September finally completed the unification of Italy.

His son Luigi Cadorna rose to the rank of Field Marshal and served as Italian chief of staff during part of World War I, while his grandson Raffaele Cadorna Jr. was a general and commander of the Italian resistance during World War II.