Here are 3 famous musicians from Italy died at 30:
Dominic Salvatore Gentile (December 6, 1920 Piqua-January 28, 1951 Dayton) was an Italian personality.
Dominic Salvatore Gentile was actually an American WWII fighter pilot and flying ace, known for his service with the United States Army Air Forces. He flew in both the European and Mediterranean theaters of the war and gained fame for his achievements in air combat. Gentile was credited with a total of 21 aerial victories, making him one of the top American flying aces of the war. After the war, he continued to serve in the U.S. Air Force until his death in a flying accident in 1951.
Gentile was born in Piqua, Ohio to Italian immigrant parents. He was raised in a large family and developed a passion for flying at an early age. He graduated from the University of Dayton with a degree in engineering and then enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1941.
Gentile's combat career began in the Mediterranean theater, where he flew the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk. He later transitioned to the P-47 Thunderbolt and flew in the European theater, where he became known for his aggressive tactics and skill as a fighter pilot.
Gentile's most famous mission came on April 7, 1944, when he and his wingman Lt. Richard Bong intercepted a formation of German aircraft over Germany. In a furious battle, the two American pilots shot down eight German planes, with Gentile accounting for five of them. This feat earned him the Distinguished Service Cross, the second-highest military award in the United States Army.
After the war, Gentile remained in the Air Force and flew a variety of planes, including the F-86 Sabre during the Korean War. On January 28, 1951, he was killed in a crash while testing a new airplane at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio. At the time of his death, he had achieved the rank of major and was widely respected as one of the greatest fighter pilots in American history.
Gentile's legacy has lived on in a number of ways. The United States Air Force honored him by naming several buildings and roads after him, and he was posthumously inducted into the Aviation Hall of Fame in 1961. Additionally, his life and achievements have been the subject of numerous books and documentaries. Gentile is remembered as an exceptional pilot and an important figure in aviation history who played a critical role in defending his country during World War II.
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Valentino Mazzola (January 26, 1919 Cassano d'Adda-May 4, 1949 Superga) was an Italian personality.
Valentino Mazzola was a former professional footballer who played as an inside forward for Italian club side Torino and the Italian national team. He was considered one of the best players of his generation and was known for his skill and creativity on the pitch. Mazzola was a vital part of the legendary Grande Torino team that dominated Italian football in the 1940s, winning five consecutive Serie A titles. His tragic death in the Superga air disaster, along with the rest of the team, is still mourned by football fans in Italy and around the world.
Valentino Mazzola was born and raised in Cassano d'Adda, a town in the Lombardy region of Italy. He started playing football at a young age and quickly showed promise, joining his local team, Cassanese, and later moving up to play for Atalanta. In 1942, he signed for Torino, which would prove to be the peak of his footballing career.
Mazzola was a stylish and versatile player, equally adept at scoring goals and setting them up for his teammates. He formed a deadly partnership on the pitch with his fellow inside forward, Ezio Loik, and together they helped Torino to run riot over their opponents in the 1940s. Mazzola scored 109 goals in 191 appearances for the club, making him one of their all-time greats.
Mazzola was also a regular for the Italian national team, earning 12 caps between 1940 and 1947. He was part of the squad that won the Central European International Cup in 1942 and helped Italy to reach the quarter-finals of the 1950 World Cup, although he did not play in the tournament due to injury.
Tragically, Mazzola's life was cut short when he was just 30 years old. On May 4, 1949, he was one of 31 people onboard a plane that was flying the Torino team back from a friendly match in Lisbon, Portugal. The plane crashed into the hill of Superga, near Turin, killing everyone onboard. Mazzola and his teammates were mourned across the footballing world, and their legacy lives on to this day.
Valentino Mazzola was not only a great footballer but also a devoted family man. He was married to Emilia Mambretti, and they had three children together, all of whom were born during his time at Torino. His son, Sandro Mazzola, also went on to become a successful footballer, playing in Italy's Serie A for Inter Milan and the national team.
Mazzola's legacy is not just limited to his on-field achievements. He is remembered in Italy as a symbol of the country's post-war resurgence, and his tragic death is seen as a symbol of a generation's hopes and dreams cut short. In his hometown of Cassano d'Adda, there is a street named after him, and a statue of him was also erected in the town in 2004.
In 2019, on the 100th anniversary of his birth, Italian football clubs paid tribute to Valentino Mazzola, and his memory was commemorated at a special event at the Superga Basilica. His impact on Italian football is still felt today, and his tragic death has become an integral part of the sport's history in Italy.
He died caused by aviation accident or incident.
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Stefano Tamburini (August 18, 1955 Italy-April 1, 1986 Italy) was an Italian cartoonist.
He was a pioneer of underground comics in Italy and was known for his experimental and provocative style. Tamburini co-created the comic book "RanXerox" with Tanino Liberatore, which became a cult classic and was influential in the cyberpunk genre. In addition to his work in comics, Tamburini was also a writer and filmmaker. He co-wrote and acted in the film "The Wild Beasts" and directed the short film "Fear, Inc." before his untimely death at the age of 30. Despite his brief career, Stefano Tamburini's contributions to Italian comics and underground culture continue to inspire new generations of artists.
Tamburini was born in Padua, Italy and attended the University of Architecture in Venice, but dropped out to pursue his career in comics. He moved to Rome and became part of the underground art scene, collaborating with other artists and writers. In addition to "RanXerox," Tamburini also created the comic book series "Frigidaire," which featured contributions from other Italian artists and explored themes of politics, sexuality, and society.
Tamburini's work was often controversial and pushed the boundaries of censorship laws in Italy. He faced legal battles over some of his content, but he continued to create and challenge societal norms. He was also involved in left-wing politics and activism, advocating for social equality and justice.
Tamburini's legacy has continued to be celebrated in Italy and around the world. In 2018, the Italian Culture Ministry announced plans to create a museum dedicated to him and his work. The museum is set to open in 2021. His impact on underground comics and Italian counterculture has been recognized with retrospectives and exhibitions, cementing his place as one of the most influential artists of his time.
Tamburini's influence on the comic book industry can be seen beyond Italy, as his work has been translated into several languages and has inspired artists around the globe. His contribution to the science fiction genre has been especially significant. RanXerox, the character he co-created with Liberatore, is a cyborg that explores the darker sides of human nature and has been cited as a precursor to other popular cyborg characters such as RoboCop and the Terminator.
In addition to his comics and filmmaking, Tamburini was also a prolific writer. He wrote novels, short stories, and essays that explored various themes related to politics, social issues, and counterculture. His writing often reflected his anarchist and left-wing political beliefs, and he was known for his witty and satirical style.
Tamburini's untimely death in 1986 was a shock to the underground art scene in Italy, and his legacy has continued to inspire artists and writers long after his passing. His work continues to be celebrated for its experimental and boundary-pushing nature, and his influence on Italian and international comics is undeniable.
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