Italian Commander Francesco de Pinedo in "one of the most remarkable (events) 
in the history of aviation" [British Flight Magazine] was the first pilot to 
fly a foreign aircraft to the United States. 

Commander Francesco de Pinedo accomplished this via Italy, Africa, Brazil, to 
New Orleans, (March 29, 1927) on to Chicago, where 75 years ago, he was 
greeted by a fascinated Chicago, who met him with squadrons of American 
military planes, lined up in  honor guard formation to escort his "Santa 
Maria". A din of horns, bells, sirens, and whistles from the surrounding 
boats rose up with the cheers of thousands. The aviators stepped on shore and 
were literally mobbed by the city's Italians.

St. Louis, Home of Charles Lindbergh joins in the Celebrations. Experts claim 
that the DePinedo's feat was Lindbergh's final inspiration to make his 
historic trip two months after DePinedo's landing in the United States, and 
less than a week after DePinedo's scheduled touchdown in St. Louis which had 
to be aborted and changed to a fly over due to inclement weather.  

World leaders have bestowed honors on Commander DePinedo, including the 
presentation of the British Royal Air Force Cross in 1927.  An article from 
the 23 June, 1927 issue of the British Magazine "Flight" in which the 
following reference is made: 

"Although establishing no recognized world's records, the flight just completed by 
the Marquis of Pinedo is in many ways ONE OF THE MOST REMARKABLE 
IN THE HISTORY OF AVIATION. While recently several land aeroplanes have 
covered great distances over the sea, Pinedo has covered greater over land in 
a seaplane...In every way, the Marquis of Pinedo is to be congratulated on 
his splendid achievement, and the honour bestowed upon him by His Majesty 
King George by awarding him the Air Force Cross will be heartily welcomed by 
British aviation in general, which sees in it a fitting expression of the admiration 
and esteem with which the gallant Marquis is held in this country." 

The Honorable Ferdinando Salleo, Italian Ambassador to the United States of 
America, will participate in both Chicago and St. Louis festivities. The Italian 
American communities of both cities are thrilled about the Ambassador's 
endorsement and presence in the anniversary celebration of this 
heroic Italian aviator.
 
Ambassador Salleo, one of the five longest serving Italian diplomats, was 
appointed Ambassador of Italy to the United States on November 9, 1995.  He 
was born in Messina (Sicily) in 1936, and entered the Italian Foreign Service 
in 1960, soon after getting his Laurea (M.A. degree) from the Law School of 
the University of Rome. He first served in Paris, then in New York as Consul, 
then in Prague. In 1972 he came back to the States as counselor at the 
Embassy in Washington D.C. He later served in the Political Department of his 
Ministry, then to Bonn as Minister Counselor. Between 1979-85 he was deputy 
Director General, then Director General of the Department for Economic 
Cooperation and Development Aid of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in Rome. 
In 1986, appointed Head of the Italian Permanent Mission to the OECD (the 
Paris-based Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development). He then 
returned to Rome at the head of the Economic Affairs Department. From 1989 to 
1993 he served as Ambassador of Italy in Moscow, during the Gorbatchev era 
and the downfall of the Soviet Union. The top post of Secretary General of 
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was his last assignment in Rome, before being 
appointed to Washington D.C. Ambassador Salleo has been a visiting professor 
at the University of Florence and a professor at Rome University. 

A Brief Agenda for Chicago on May 15, and St. Louis on May 16 follows,
but for greater detail please reference Italy at St. Louis Index Page
< www.ItalySTL.com > "Il portale italiano per il midwest", click on " EROI 
DELL 'ARIA" (to the far Right of the Screen, first item under "Highlights")
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CHICAGO 

The Agenda for May 15, 2002: 
12:00 Noon- Istituto Italiano di Cultura, BY INVITATION ONLY.  
Lecture and Exhibition Opening 
"Francesco de Pinedo: an Italian Lindbergh?" 
Lecture by Professor Gregory Alegi 
6:30 PM - Richard J. Daley Civic Center 
Official Presentation 
Concert by the Caliendo Neapolitan Band - Program  
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ST. LOUIS 
The Agenda for May 16, 2002 

Reception with H.E. Ferdinando Salleo, Italian Ambassador to the USA 
at St. Louis University, Carlo Auditorium in Tegeler Hall;  
May, 2002 - Historical Photographic Exhibit from the  Italian Air Force 
Archives; 
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