 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (February 2013) |
Nicola Calipari | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 23, 1953 Reggio Calabria, Italy |
| Died | March 4, 2005 (aged 51) Route Irish, Iraq |
| Allegiance |  Italy |
| Service/ | SISMI |
| Rank | Major general (generale di divisione) |
| Battles/wars | Rescue of Giuliana Sgrena |
| Awards |  Gold Medal of Military Valor |
| Spouse(s) | 1 wife |
| Relations | 2 children |
Nicola Calipari (June 23, 1953 – March 4, 2005) was an Italian major general and SISMI military intelligence officer. Calipari was accidentally killed in Iraq by American soldiers while escorting a recently released Italian hostage, journalist Giuliana Sgrena, to Baghdad International Airport.
During the 1990s, Calipari was involved in several rescues of people kidnapped by 'Ndrangheta and other criminal organizations in Italy. He had spent most of his career in the Italian police, rising to a senior position, before joining the Italian military Security and Intelligence Service (SISMI) two years before his death.
Calipari's death sparked one of the most serious diplomatic incidents between the U.S. and Italy since the end of World War II. Calipari is one of only five US or European general officers to be injured or killed during combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.