Graziani, Rodolfo, 1882-1955

Rodolfo Graziani (b. 1882-d. Jan. 11, 1955), General in the Italian Army, was Italy's youngest colonel during World War I and a prominent military and political actor through World War II. He first served in Libya and on the Italian Front. In 1935 he was appointed governor of Italian Somaliland and later served as Ethiopian Viceroy. In 1939 he became Italian Army Chief of Staff, followed by a period as Governor of Libya. In 1943 he was appointed Minister of Defence in Mussolini's administration. General Graziani was placed on trial twice, charged with high treason for his collaboration with the Nazis post-1943. Sentenced to 19 years in prison, he served only a few months, later becoming active in the Italian neo-fascist movement.

From the description of Graziani, Rodolfo, 1882-1955 (U.S. National Archives and Records Administration). naId: 10569374