The main avenue of the new US barracks, inaugurated on July 2nd, has been named after the heroic Italian aviator Tommaso Dal Molin, born in Molino di Altissimo, in the province of Vicenza, on January 13th, 1902. He joined the Air Force at the age of twenty. After serving in various squadrons of the Royal Air Force, due to his exceptional aerobatic flying skills, he was chosen to participate in international races in Zurich, where he distinguished himself particularly. The brilliant aviator thus became part of the High-Speed School in Desenzano in May 1928, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Mario Bernasconi. The following year, in Calshot, England, he achieved an incredible second place in the very important Schneider Trophy, despite his M.52.R racing seaplane developing a speed 60 km/h slower than the third-placed aircraft. This great feat earned him a Silver Medal for Aeronautical Valor. Returning to Italy and resuming his training, he lost his life on January 18th, 1930, during a test flight over the waters of Lake Garda, near Desenzano, while piloting the SM. S 65 racing seaplane.
On 20 September of the same year, Vicenza Airport was dedicated to the memory of the Italian aviator. The airfield itself was then completed in its military section and inaugurated as the “Tomaso Dal Molin” Military Airport on 28 March 1938, ceasing all military activity on 30 June 2008.
