He saved wounded Polish commander, house named after hero

(ANSA) - ROME, OCT. 25 - The Municipal house of Oratino (Campobasso) has been named after the hero Attilio Brunetti, Italy's Purple Heart and Polish 'Virtuti Militari' cross, for saving a wounded commander, sergeant major Zygmunt Piatkowski, carrying him on his shoulders to his lines and facing even gun battles with German patrols during the Italian Campaign in 1944.

Brunetti, born in 1917 in the US (New Jersey), but originating in Oratino (Molise), was a corporal in the Royal Army and had already fought in the campaign of Greece.

After taking leave of absence and going back to Oratino in August 1943, Brunetti became aware of the armistice and the dismemberment of the Italian Army: when Polish General Anders arrived, he enlisted in the 111th Bridge Defence Company that was set up in Roccasicura at the beginning of 1944; in February 1945, he joined the patriots of the Maiella Brigade, nonpartisan group based in Abruzzo, the only one which fought outside its borders and the first to join the ally army, the 2nd Polish Corps led by Anders. (ANSA).