The city of Pianoro, Italy, honors Airman Lieutenant John Richardson Cordeiro e Silva, pilot of the 1st Fighter Aviation Group
Air Force Agency – Major Oliveira Lima
The City Hall of the Italian city of Pianoro held, on November 9, a ceremony to honor Airman Lieutenant John Richardson Cordeiro e Silva, pilot of the 1st Fighter Aviation Group, shot down in combat during World War II.
The ceremony was attended by the Mayor of the city, Franca Filippini; the Brazilian Army Attaché in Italy, Infantry Colonel Sérgio Alexandre de Oliveira; the Brazilian Defense and Aeronautical Attaché in Italy and Slovenia, Aviator Colonel Luciano Cantuária Pietrani; among other civilian and military personalities, and teachers and students from the Diana Sabbi elementary school.
During the occasion, the flags of Brazil and Italy were raised and wreaths of flowers were laid, and a moment of silence was played in honor of the young pilot’s sacrifice. In his words, Colonel Pietrani remembered the bravery of the members of the 1st Fighter Aviation Group during World War II, and praised the values that forged these heroes. “I thank Mrs. Franca Filippini for maintaining the war memory and for strengthening the historic relationship of friendship between Brazil and Italy” said the Officer.
Finally, the students provided a moment of emotion to the audience, when they performed individually, the reading of short messages of thanks to Lieutenant Cordeiro, for his courage and sacrifice, in the fight for freedom.
Photos: Aditância de Defesa e Aeronáutica do Brasil na Itália e Eslovênia