Costanzo Ciano

Who was Costanzo Ciano?

Costanzo Ciano, 1st Count of Cortellazzo and Buccari was an Italian naval commander and politician. He was the father of Galeazzo Ciano.

Born at Livorno the son of Raimondo Ciano and wife Argia Puppo, he entered the Naval Academy of Livorno in 1891, being appointed Officer five years later. In 1901 he became Tenente di vascello and took part in the Italo-Turkish War of 1911–1912.

In 1915, at the entrance of Italy in World War I, he was Capitano di corvetta, and was assigned to service in Cirenaica. After his return to Italy he operated at the command of fast MAS units, receiving a Gold Medal for Military Value for a famous action in the Bakar Harbour, in Istria, which was later celebrated by the poet Gabriele D'Annunzio. Ciano was appointed Senior Commander at the end of the war and ennobled by King Victor Emmanuel III as Conte di Cortellazzo e Buccari.

Ciano's ardent nationalism drew him into fascism. He became leader of the Livorno fascio and participated in the March on Rome in October 1922.

On 31 October 1919 he assumed the post of Undersecretary of State for the Regia Marina and Commissioner for the Merchant Navy.