Geppino Micheletti, the doctor who would become the hero of Vergarolla on August 18, 1946, was born in Trieste on July 18, 1905, for his determination and professionalism in caring for the wounded in the attack that had caused carnage on the beach in Polesano, where entire families were watching the Scarioni Cup swimming competitions. Over 100 people died, including at least 30 children, including the surgeon's two sons. Micheletti also lost his brother and sister-in-law on that blood-stained beach. Despite knowing this, he continued to operate and save lives.

His heroism, which is exemplified in the "Dr. Geppino Micheletti" Award, the second edition of which recently took place , was rewarded with three medals that we would like to remember here:

 

Great Gold Medal of the Municipality of Pula (1946)

The City Council of Pola – interpreting the unanimous vote of the citizens – solemnly awarded the medal of merit to Dr. Geppino Micheletti, during the meeting of August 29, 1946. He, having overcome his own grief at the loss of his beloved children, with a firm heart and superhuman compassion, did his utmost to restore safety to all the wounded and maimed in the Vergarolla explosion of August 18, 1946.

 

Silver Medal for Civil Valor (1947)

Dr. Geppino Micheletti – Surgeon – on August 18, 1946 in Pula. While preparing to provide first aid to the numerous wounded and dying people who were being hospitalized following the explosion of some mines on a stretch of beach, he spotted among them the lifeless body of one of his sons, torn to pieces by the blast. Stifling his immense grief in a final sense of duty, he did not hesitate to devote himself with sublime fortitude to the aid of the injured. Upon learning that another son, his brother, and his sister-in-law had also perished in the tragedy, he continued his humanitarian work, sacrificing himself to the point of unspeakable suffering, and carried it to completion, regardless of the grave consequences to which such a prolonged and superhuman effort of will was exposing his body. An admirable example of self-sacrifice and a profound sense of duty.

 

Gold Medal for Merit in Public Health [in memoriam] (2025)

Micheletti, Geppino – A doctor serving at Santorio Hospital in Pola, who distinguished himself in August 1946 by providing assistance for over 24 hours to numerous seriously injured patients following the deliberate detonation of mines and war remnants on the beach at Vergarolla. He continued to work even after learning of the deaths of his two children, aged 5 and 9.