Giorgio Perlasca (January 31, 1910 – August 15, 1992)
Early Life
Early Life Giorgio Perlasca was born on January 31 1910 the second of five children to Carlo Perlasca and Teresa Sartorelli. His family relocated to Padua shortly after his birth and later to Trieste. After completing his schooling, in 1930, he chose to enlist in the Blackshirts and volunteered for the Ethiopian campaign in 1935. Subsequently, he joined Benito Mussolini's forces during the Spanish Civil War, where he learned the Spanish language and culture.
World War II and Hungary
After returning to Italy, Perlasca worked as a sales representative for the Saib meat-importing company and moved to Hungary in 1941. There, he witnessed Nazi atrocities and the persecution of Jews. Following the Italian armistice on September 8, 1943, when Hungary aligned with Nazi Germany, Perlasca contacted the Spanish embassy in Budapest and obtained a Spanish passport.
The Heroic Act
During the height of the Holocaust, Perlasca became involved in aiding Hungarian Jews. Representing Spain, he protected Spanish-owned buildings in Budapest and saved many Jews from deportation to Nazi concentration camps. In a remarkable episode, he defied a German officer to protect two Jewish children who were being considered "twins" and were destined for deportation.
After the War
After the war's end and the arrival of Russian troops in Budapest, Perlasca remained the sole "Spanish diplomat" in Hungary. He defended his position to protect Jews and continued to work to ensure their safety and assistance. In May 1945, he finally managed to leave Hungary and reached Italy via Istanbul.
Recognitions and Honors
Giorgio Perlasca spent the rest of his life in Trieste, working in various fields and publicizing his heroic act only many years later. In 1990, the Italian Senate granted him an annual pension, which he declined. He passed away on June 15, 1992, in Padua, and was buried in Maserà. He received numerous posthumous recognitions, including the Order of the Golden Star from Hungary, the title of Righteous Among the Nations, and Israeli honorary citizenship, as well as the Gold Medal for Civil Valor from the Italian Republic.
His story remains an example of selflessness and dedication to saving human lives during the Holocaust.
Decorations
Star of Merit – Hungary, 1989
Medal of the Knesset – Jerusalem, 1989
Town Seal of Padova – Padova, 1989
Medal of the Holocaust Museum – United States, 1990
Grand Officer of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic – Italy, 1990
Medal Raoul Wallenberg – United States, 1990
Knight Grand Cross of Order of Isabella the Catholic – Spain, 1991
Gold Medal for Civil Bravery – Italy, 1992
Early Life
Early Life Giorgio Perlasca was born on January 31 1910 the second of five children to Carlo Perlasca and Teresa Sartorelli. His family relocated to Padua shortly after his birth and later to Trieste. After completing his schooling, in 1930, he chose to enlist in the Blackshirts and volunteered for the Ethiopian campaign in 1935. Subsequently, he joined Benito Mussolini's forces during the Spanish Civil War, where he learned the Spanish language and culture.
World War II and Hungary
After returning to Italy, Perlasca worked as a sales representative for the Saib meat-importing company and moved to Hungary in 1941. There, he witnessed Nazi atrocities and the persecution of Jews. Following the Italian armistice on September 8, 1943, when Hungary aligned with Nazi Germany, Perlasca contacted the Spanish embassy in Budapest and obtained a Spanish passport.
The Heroic Act
During the height of the Holocaust, Perlasca became involved in aiding Hungarian Jews. Representing Spain, he protected Spanish-owned buildings in Budapest and saved many Jews from deportation to Nazi concentration camps. In a remarkable episode, he defied a German officer to protect two Jewish children who were being considered "twins" and were destined for deportation.
After the War
After the war's end and the arrival of Russian troops in Budapest, Perlasca remained the sole "Spanish diplomat" in Hungary. He defended his position to protect Jews and continued to work to ensure their safety and assistance. In May 1945, he finally managed to leave Hungary and reached Italy via Istanbul.
Recognitions and Honors
Giorgio Perlasca spent the rest of his life in Trieste, working in various fields and publicizing his heroic act only many years later. In 1990, the Italian Senate granted him an annual pension, which he declined. He passed away on June 15, 1992, in Padua, and was buried in Maserà. He received numerous posthumous recognitions, including the Order of the Golden Star from Hungary, the title of Righteous Among the Nations, and Israeli honorary citizenship, as well as the Gold Medal for Civil Valor from the Italian Republic.
His story remains an example of selflessness and dedication to saving human lives during the Holocaust.
Decorations
Star of Merit – Hungary, 1989
Medal of the Knesset – Jerusalem, 1989
Town Seal of Padova – Padova, 1989
Medal of the Holocaust Museum – United States, 1990
Grand Officer of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic – Italy, 1990
Medal Raoul Wallenberg – United States, 1990
Knight Grand Cross of Order of Isabella the Catholic – Spain, 1991
Gold Medal for Civil Bravery – Italy, 1992
Giorgio Perlasca (January 31, 1910 – August 15, 1992)
Early Life
Early Life Giorgio Perlasca was born on January 31 1910 the second of five children to Carlo Perlasca and Teresa Sartorelli. His family relocated to Padua shortly after his birth and later to Trieste. After completing his schooling, in 1930, he chose to enlist in the Blackshirts and volunteered for the Ethiopian campaign in 1935. Subsequently, he joined Benito Mussolini's forces during the Spanish Civil War, where he learned the Spanish language and culture.
World War II and Hungary
After returning to Italy, Perlasca worked as a sales representative for the Saib meat-importing company and moved to Hungary in 1941. There, he witnessed Nazi atrocities and the persecution of Jews. Following the Italian armistice on September 8, 1943, when Hungary aligned with Nazi Germany, Perlasca contacted the Spanish embassy in Budapest and obtained a Spanish passport.
The Heroic Act
During the height of the Holocaust, Perlasca became involved in aiding Hungarian Jews. Representing Spain, he protected Spanish-owned buildings in Budapest and saved many Jews from deportation to Nazi concentration camps. In a remarkable episode, he defied a German officer to protect two Jewish children who were being considered "twins" and were destined for deportation.
After the War
After the war's end and the arrival of Russian troops in Budapest, Perlasca remained the sole "Spanish diplomat" in Hungary. He defended his position to protect Jews and continued to work to ensure their safety and assistance. In May 1945, he finally managed to leave Hungary and reached Italy via Istanbul.
Recognitions and Honors
Giorgio Perlasca spent the rest of his life in Trieste, working in various fields and publicizing his heroic act only many years later. In 1990, the Italian Senate granted him an annual pension, which he declined. He passed away on June 15, 1992, in Padua, and was buried in Maserà. He received numerous posthumous recognitions, including the Order of the Golden Star from Hungary, the title of Righteous Among the Nations, and Israeli honorary citizenship, as well as the Gold Medal for Civil Valor from the Italian Republic.
His story remains an example of selflessness and dedication to saving human lives during the Holocaust.
Decorations
Star of Merit – Hungary, 1989
Medal of the Knesset – Jerusalem, 1989
Town Seal of Padova – Padova, 1989
Medal of the Holocaust Museum – United States, 1990
Grand Officer of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic – Italy, 1990
Medal Raoul Wallenberg – United States, 1990
Knight Grand Cross of Order of Isabella the Catholic – Spain, 1991
Gold Medal for Civil Bravery – Italy, 1992
Early Life
Early Life Giorgio Perlasca was born on January 31 1910 the second of five children to Carlo Perlasca and Teresa Sartorelli. His family relocated to Padua shortly after his birth and later to Trieste. After completing his schooling, in 1930, he chose to enlist in the Blackshirts and volunteered for the Ethiopian campaign in 1935. Subsequently, he joined Benito Mussolini's forces during the Spanish Civil War, where he learned the Spanish language and culture.
World War II and Hungary
After returning to Italy, Perlasca worked as a sales representative for the Saib meat-importing company and moved to Hungary in 1941. There, he witnessed Nazi atrocities and the persecution of Jews. Following the Italian armistice on September 8, 1943, when Hungary aligned with Nazi Germany, Perlasca contacted the Spanish embassy in Budapest and obtained a Spanish passport.
The Heroic Act
During the height of the Holocaust, Perlasca became involved in aiding Hungarian Jews. Representing Spain, he protected Spanish-owned buildings in Budapest and saved many Jews from deportation to Nazi concentration camps. In a remarkable episode, he defied a German officer to protect two Jewish children who were being considered "twins" and were destined for deportation.
After the War
After the war's end and the arrival of Russian troops in Budapest, Perlasca remained the sole "Spanish diplomat" in Hungary. He defended his position to protect Jews and continued to work to ensure their safety and assistance. In May 1945, he finally managed to leave Hungary and reached Italy via Istanbul.
Recognitions and Honors
Giorgio Perlasca spent the rest of his life in Trieste, working in various fields and publicizing his heroic act only many years later. In 1990, the Italian Senate granted him an annual pension, which he declined. He passed away on June 15, 1992, in Padua, and was buried in Maserà. He received numerous posthumous recognitions, including the Order of the Golden Star from Hungary, the title of Righteous Among the Nations, and Israeli honorary citizenship, as well as the Gold Medal for Civil Valor from the Italian Republic.
His story remains an example of selflessness and dedication to saving human lives during the Holocaust.
Decorations
Star of Merit – Hungary, 1989
Medal of the Knesset – Jerusalem, 1989
Town Seal of Padova – Padova, 1989
Medal of the Holocaust Museum – United States, 1990
Grand Officer of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic – Italy, 1990
Medal Raoul Wallenberg – United States, 1990
Knight Grand Cross of Order of Isabella the Catholic – Spain, 1991
Gold Medal for Civil Bravery – Italy, 1992
Inscription
Giorgio Perlasca
Giusto delle Nazioni
חסיד אמות העולם
n. 31·1·1910 m. 15·8·1992
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