Allegiance Kingdom of Italy Rank Muntaz Name Unatu Endisciau | Service/branch Italian Army Unit LXXII Zaptie Corps | |
Died 1941
Kulkaber, Ethiopia Battles/wars World War II
East African Campaign | ||
Unatu Endisciau was an Ethiopian soldier who served in the Italian Army during World War II. He was the only "soldier of colour" or native, to be awarded the Gold Medal of Military Valor, which is Italy's highest award for bravery. Unatu served as a Muntaz in the LXXII Zaptie Corps.
Following the surrender of the Debra Tabor garrison, Endisciau and some other colonial soldiers refused to surrender their battalion's banner and instead attempted to reach Italian lines at Kulkaber 106 kilometers away; Endisciau led the group there. Along the way they were harassed by local guerrillas supporting the Allies and Endisciau was briefly captured by a guerrilla leader but escaped. As they reached Kulkaber, Endisciau was wounded when attempting to cross an Italian minefield; he was taken to the infirmiary after insisting that his comrades deliver the banner. He died shortly thereafter, declaring that he was glad to reach Italian lines and see his banner remain in Italian hands.