Serving in the Carabinieri for 35 years, Lieutenant de Gioia combines civil service for the benefit of others with his dedication to Meritorious Merit. When he is not wearing the Carabiniere uniform, he is actively involved in social work: the decades-long donor to Fratres is paired with that of a member of Pegaso, a partnership that deals with disabilities in Bisceglie.
Originally from Molfetta, Lgt Damiano de Gioia is married with children. He spent a good part of his service in the Army for the territory of Alta Iripinia. It is no coincidence that he was awarded the honor of Knight of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic and of merit by the Head of the Civil Protection Department on the occasion of the waste emergency in Campania, one of the fields of action to protect the Environment in which the Carabinieri are institutionally engaged.
One of his natural propensities is that of listening. It is difficult to find his office on the ground floor of the Viale Gramsci barracks empty. Lieutenant de Gioia believes contact with people is fundamental, the trust that is gained day after day, as in the best tradition of the Carabinieri. Complaints never lack a word of comfort. In this last period, with the emergence of numerous cases of “red codes” registered in the Città fidelis, the proverbial delicacy with which this type of crime is treated requires competent figures equipped with that necessary affection towards the poor victims.
The ribbons on his uniform, among others that of the silver cross for 16 years and then the gold one for 25 years of service in the force; the bronze medal for merit of long command and of Commander of a territorial station, to the ribbon of merit for the Armed Forces personnel employed in the health emergency caused by Covid – 19, are testimony to his long and brilliant path in the service of the community in the Carabinieri.
That civil community which in 2007 wanted to pay him public praise for having managed to find a casket for the safekeeping of the holy oils from the tabernacle placed on the main altar of a parish church in one of the many towns in which he served in the province of Avellino. A recognition that for Lieutenant Damiano de Gioia is worth a lot in terms of gratitude and affection, because he came from those citizens for whom he swore to protect and serve.
