Domenico Mondelli: The World’s First Black Pilot and Black Italian General

Image Description: A photo of Domenico Mondelli taken in 1927. He’s wearing his Lieutenant Colonel outfit. He has a thoughtful look on his face; the photo is taken of his side profile.

Domenico Mondelli  is the world’s first Black pilot. During WW1, he flew for the Italian military. This makes him not only the world’s first Black pilot but also the world’s first military pilot.

He’s the first Black Italian to hold the title of General in Italy’s armed forces.

He’s the first Black Italian to be given the distinct honor of being Grand Officer of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic.

He is also the first Black Italian to become a 33rd Degree Freemason. It’s the highest ranking in the Freemasonry. It signifies being recognized as a Master Mason by the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry and is an incredible honor.

According to his adoptive father, he was born on June 30, 1886 in Asmara, Eritrea as Wolde Selassi. Asmara is the capital city of the country, Eritrea. The country of Eritrea was an Italian colony from 1890 to 1941. His birthday and birth town has never been verified.

In 1891, Colonel Attilio Mondelli from Parma adopted him. Attillo claimed that Domenico was an orphan that he discovered on the road. The most plausible story, however, based on evidence is that he was actually the illegitimate child of Attilio with an Eritrean woman. On his death bed, Attilio acknowledged his paternity.

Domenico grew up in Parma in a wealthy home with Attillo and his two illegitimate daughters. He was met with acceptance there.

Domenico, like the Mondelli men before him, began a career in the military.

In 1900, he attended the Military College of Rome then attended the Royal Military Academy of Modena. He graduated with the tile of Second Lieutenant.

He was assigned to the 5th Bersaglieri Regiment. It was the second time that the Bersaglieri had a Black solider be in a leadership position.

Mondelli then became the first Black pilot and military pilot in the world. Others have wrongly accredited Ahmet Ali Celikten and Eugene Bullard for this achievement.

However, Mondeli’s aviation certification of February 20th, 1914 is confirmation of  Mondelli being the first. He was granted Italian citizenship from his service for Italy.

Everything changed for him when Italy became Fascist in 1922, as the new regime imposed legislation and regulations that stripped people of their human rights.

They canceled his promotion from Lieutenant Colonel to Colonel. A law enacted in 1925 banned Masons from working in the government.

He had to leave the Freemasonry.

In 1935, the Italian government enacted a law that prohibited Black and mixed-race individuals from holding authority  over white Italian soldiers. The government placed Black and mixed-race soldiers on leave.

He fought against the fascist regime that persecuted him in a long legal battle. He appealed 3 times to the Ministry of War, despite denials.

He was the only one of the four Black WWI soldiers to challenge the fascist rule by filing appeals against this. The others Gabrù Zachè, Workneh Sengal and Michele Carchidio did not appeal— understandably.

Instead, Mondelli was a voice for all of them— and all Black Italians and those of mixed ancestry. His determination is beyond admirable.

In July of 1938, the Italian government published “Manifesto della razza” (Manifest of Race), which led to Italy’s racial laws passing a few months later in October of that year. Italy had no prior history of race-based legislation. Italians who were Black, Jewish, and Roma suffered severely.

During that time, he lived a reserved life in Rome with his daughters and wife.

In June 1944, American and British troops liberated Rome from the Nazi German occupation. Finally, it was over, even if the ramifications of Mussolini’s Italy would have everlasting effects on Italians.

The fall of fascist Italy transformed his life completely. He could finally safely resume a normal life once more. He had freedom once again.

After the war, he was able to partake as a Freemason again. He received the highest honor for a Freemason which is called the Scottish Rite.

He was placed on a permanent leave because of a wound that he sustained from the grenade explosion. It caused permanent damage to his right eye which led to a severe visual disability.

He was given the title of Brigadier General in 1959 at 73. He then was honored with the title of Major General in 1963 at 77. In 1968, 82 years old, he becomes the first Black Italian to reach the rank of General of the Army which is the highest rank of general. As per his life story, he is a trail blazer.

In 1970, at 84, they honored him with the prestigious title of Grand Officer of the Order of Merit. The Order of the Merit is the highest ranking honor that one can achieve in Italy. He was the first Black Italian to receive this award. President Giuseppe Sargat of Italy, at the time, was who awarded him this honor.

He died on December 13th 1974 at  88 years old in Rome.

As of today in 2025, his burial whereabouts remain a mystery. He wanted to be buried at the famous Campo Verano cemetery in Rome. However, no evidence supports his burial there.

One thing that is not a mystery is what a remarkable life he lived.

During his  lifetime, he was the recipient of 12 honors— from medals, to honors, and more. His dedication to Italy was unwavering even during fascism.

There was a biography written about him that’s entitled: “Il Generale Nero: Bersagliere, Aviatore e Ardito” (The Black General: Domenico Mondelli: Soldier, Airman and Bold).

It includes Michele Carchidi’s letter to a friend. Michele was one of the 4 Black Italians  who was placed on leave due to being Black. In the letter, he writes:

I didn’t make it. Domenico Mondelli did. — Michele Carchid

His fight against the fascist regime, his strength during the Mussolini era, and his empowering work for Black Italians was vital. Despite his relative obscurity, his incredible story and actions are  still felt and impactful today. Mondelli was, and always will be, an Italian who inspires all.

REFERENCE AND IMAGE SOURCE LIST:

• Fikes, Robert, and Tsegai G.mariam says: “Domenico Mondelli: The Rise, Fall, and Restoration of a Black Italian Hero.” Afropean, 11 June 2023, afropean.com/domenico-mondelli-the-rise-fall-and-restoration-of-a-black-italian-hero

• Domenico Mondelli, latorreandrea.github.io/domenico-mondelli-first-black-aviator

• Valeri, Mauro. Il Generale Nero: Domenico Mondelli: Bersagliere, Aviatore e Ardito. Odradek, 2015.

• “Domenico Mondelli.” L’ITALIA COLONIALE, italiacoloniale.com/tag/domenico-mondelli:

• Administrator. “Domenico Mondelli: Eritrean-Italian General and a Grand Master Mason.” Eritrea Ministry Of Information, 2 Mar. 2016, shabait.com/2016/03/02/domenico-mondelli-eritrean-italian-general-and-a-grand-master-mason