Giuseppe Biron was born in Legnago, in the province of Verona, on 13 October 1914.

In April 1933, he enlisted in the Regia Aeronautica as a Sergente pilota and in September obtained his military pilot's license.

Assigned to the 4^o Stormo, he was transferred in 1935 to the AOI (East Africa), to the 108^a Squadriglia Osservazione Aerea.

Sergente Maggiore Biron was decorated with his first Medaglia di bronzo al valor militare (gazetted 1937) for his actions between 14 March and 28 April 1936:

"An excellent strategic reconnaissance pilot, he dedicated himself to each mission with enthusiasm and daring. Undeterred by the intense enemy response, he would boldly descend over enemy lines to gather the most accurate information possible. On April 8, 50 km from our lines, upon realizing his engine was malfunctioning, he focused solely on preserving the valuable equipment. With calm and clear judgment, he chose to land where he was, rather than attempting to reach our lines, where safer landing conditions might have prevented irreparable damage to the equipment but could not be assured. Bravely, he stayed by his aircraft, waiting calmly for help. The next day, after repairing the engine, he returned to base.
An example of sacrifice, dedication to duty, and steadfast courage."
Sky over the Ogaden, 14 March – 28 April 1936-XIV.

Repatriated due to illness, he served briefly with the 6^o Stormo.

He volunteered to serve in the Spanish Civil War, where he fought in the ranks of the 33^a Squadriglia, VI Gruppo, before transferring to the XXIII Gruppo.

Maresciallo Biron was decorated with his first Medaglia d’argento al valor militare (gazetted 1940) for his actions over Spain between August and November 1938:

"A volunteer in wartime for the assertion of fascist ideals, this highly skilled and valiant fighter, in 26 combat missions and three intense aerial battles, consistently demonstrated courage and calm disregard for danger. Always attacking overwhelmingly superior enemy forces with magnificent spirit, he contributed effectively to the downing of 25 Marxist aircraft credited in collaboration with the group’s pilots. A brilliant example of outstanding combat qualities."
Skies over Spain, August-November 1938-XVII.

Maresciallo Biron was decorated with his second Medaglia d’argento al valor militare (gazetted 1940) for his actions over Spain between November and December 1938:

"An outstanding pilot, previously distinguished, who reaffirmed his qualities in numerous other wartime missions and three aerial battles, showcasing his audacity and aggressiveness as a fighter. In one particularly fierce encounter, he engaged overwhelmingly superior enemy forces with generous zeal, shooting down two enemy planes in flames and strafing another, making a vital contribution to one of the finest victories of the legion’s air forces."
Skies over Spain, November-December 1938-XVII.

There is gazetted award text from 1940 for a Medaglia d’argento al valor militare, which seems to be a mix of the awards for his first and second Medaglia d’argento al valor militare:

"Non-commissioned officer and volunteer pilot on a war mission for the affirmation of fascist ideals, exceptionally skilled and courageous fighter, he participated in numerous combat actions, showing courage and calm disregard for danger. In three intense battles against overwhelming enemy forces, he attacked with magnificent vigour, contributing to the downing of thirty enemy aircraft, in collaboration with other pilots from the squadron."
Skies over Spain, August-November 1938-XVII.

Maresciallo Biron was decorated with his second Medaglia di bronzo al valor militare (gazetted 1940) for his actions over Spain between January and April 1939:

"Volunteering for war in support of fascist ideals, this exceptionally skilled fighter pilot, already previously distinguished, repeatedly demonstrated courage in numerous additional combat missions. He displayed remarkable aggression and audacity in three intense engagements, during which he contributed to the downing of 11 enemy aircraft."
Skies over Spain, January-April 1939-XVII.

During his time in Spain, he was credited with three victories.

In December 1939, Silvio Costigliolo and his friends Marescialli Giuseppe Avvico and Biron, decided to try the Accademia Aeronautica (Officers Academy) and all three were commissioned as Sottotenenti on 9 May 1941.

Biron was posted to the 369^a Squadriglia, 22^o Gruppo Autonomo, assigned to the Russian front.
In Tirana, during a stopover of the Gruppo enroute to Ukraine, Biron, mindful of the "Cucaracha" badge (a kind of saxophone-playing cockroach, from which small 'red' planes emerged) of the XXIII Gruppo in Spain, sketched within the same inverted white triangle the silhouette of a pipe-smoking scarecrow, from which several red stars emerged. The enemies were the same as then, and the badge, which recalled the undoubted successes of the Aviaciòn Legionaria, seemed to everyone to be a good omen and was adopted. It was painted on the fuselages of the Macchi C.200s and also post-war adorned the Italian Air Force's F-104s.

On the Russian front, the 22^o Gruppo encountered terrible weather conditions: the winter of 1941-42 was particularly harsh, and the C.200s had open cockpits.
Despite the difficulties, Biron demonstrated his excellent skills and, in February-March 1942, participated in the downing of numerous Polikarpov I-16s, MiG-1s, and other Soviet aircraft. Unfortunately, the 22^o Gruppo’s historical diary entries in Russia never indicate the individual shooters, but analysis of the combat operations indicates that at least four aircraft (six according to other sources) can be attributed to Sottotenente Biron.

Sottotenente Biron was decorated with his third Medaglia d’argento al valor militare (gazetted 1942) for his actions over Russia between August 1941 and April 1942:

"Fighter pilot, under extremely harsh climate and environmental conditions, he undertook numerous combat missions, contributing with aggressiveness and valour to the downing and destruction of many enemy aircraft."
Russian Front, August 1941-XIX - April 1942-XX.

Returning home and promoted to Tenente, he and his unit participated in the defence of southern Italy, which was being bombed by American bombers.

On 15 July 1943, he claimed a B-17 over Foggia.
It seems that a B-17 from the 341st BS, 97th BG, was damaged at this occasion.

From 15 July to 28 August 1943, he was credited with a four-engine Boeing B-17 and three twin-engine Lockheed P-38s.
At the time, individual responsibilities were clearly regulated, especially since, starting in May 1943, they included monetary prizes (the so-called ”Premi del Duce”), which varied between single-, twin-, and four-engine aircraft. For these claims (plus four shared), Biron received a bonus on 24,750 lire (report no. 93).

Tenente Biron was decorated with his fourth Medaglia d’argento al valor militare (gazetted 1955) for his actions between 3 August and 20 August 1943:

"A pilot with extensive experience and proven courage, during a year of intense activity, he dedicated all his energy to military operations on the Mediterranean front and in the defence of national territory. In risky missions and numerous aerial combats, he consistently demonstrated initiative, aggressiveness, and valour."
Mediterranean and Naples skies, 3 August 1942 – 20 August 1943.

On 21 August, Biron claimed a P-38 over Napoli.
The 22^o Gruppo claimed six victories at this occasion while the USAAF reported three damaged P-38s from the 1st FG.

Biron claimed a P-38 on 27 August. This seems to have been P-38 42-12878 of the 49th FS, 14th FG, flown by 2nd Lieutenant Edward J. Hyland.

On 28 August, he claimed a P-38.
The Italian pilots of the 3^o Stormo and the 22^o Gruppo were credited with twelve P-38s shot down individually. The USAAF reported the loss of five P-38s in the area (one from the 14th FG and four from the 1st FG).

Tenente Biron was decorated with his fifth Medaglia d’argento al valor militare (gazetted 1955) for his actions over Naples between 21 August and 8 September 1943:

"In six aerial battles fought over a few days against enemies vastly superior in numbers and resources, he achieved four individual victories, as well as numerous others in collaboration."
Naples, 21 August – 8 September 1943.

After the Italian capitulation in September 1943, he served in the ”Italiana Aeronautica Nazionale Repubblicana” (ANR) and in December was assigned to the Squadriglia Complementare "Montefusco", equipped with Fiat G.55s and later incorporated into the 1^o Gruppo Caccia "Asso di bastoni” commanded by Maggiore Major Visconti.

Biron claimed a B-17 at 6,000 meters altitude on 19 March.

On 29 March 1944, the Squadriglia’s CO Capitano Giovanni Bonet, lost his life, shot down by a Republic P-47.
In his memory, the Squadriglia added his name to its designation, painting it on its G.55s.

At 13:05 on 20 July, the 1^o Gruppo Caccia scrambled from Vicenza and Thiene with ten MC.205s and 12 G.55s. They intercepted a formation of B-24s in the Udine area. These were escorted by P-51s of the 308th FS, 31st FG, and P-38s of the 48th FS, 14th FG, each unit covering a different height band, whose intervention wrecked the Italians’ attack. Two MC.205s and two G.55s were lost, Maggiore Guglielmo Arrabito was killed, as was Sergente Maggiore Sgubbi of the 2^a Squadriglia; Tenente Biron (3^a Squadriglia) was wounded and baled out of his G.55 (MM91101) near Ponte Di Piave (TV) and Tenente Beretta’s MC.205 (MM92271) crash-landed near Villaorba.
The Americans claimed 3 destroyed and 2 damaged, crediting the kills to Major Harry William Dorris and 1st Lieutenant Robert John Goebel (308th FS) and 2nd Lieutenant Michael Brezas (48th FS). The two damaged were claimed by Lieutenant Donald E. Wimmer and Lieutenant Nello L. Infanti, both from the 48th FS. All the claims were for Bf 109s except Dorris, somewhat nearer the mark with his ‘MC.202’, which was claimed near Villaorba (probably Tenente Beretta).
The Italians thought they got a probable P-38, plus damage to two more and to three of the bombers.

Biron returned to service on 26 August, shortly before the German attempt to incorporate the ANR into the Luftwaffe (”Operation Phönix”). This plan was foiled but led to a suspension of operations for several months.
In early November, the 1^o Gruppo resumed operations, moving to Holzkirchen, Germany, to train on the Bf 109.

In November 1944, when the Italian pilots were training on Bf 109s, Maggiore Adriano Visconti was contacted by the OKL, which proposed the training of a group of Italian pilots on the Me 163 Komet in preparation for the probable allocation of this rocket-powered interceptor to the Italians. This was an irresistible offer and Visconti asked for volunteers. Only single men were allowed since the training was so hazardous and seventeen pilots were chosen.
The pilots involved were: Capitano Giuseppe Robetto, Tenente Gian Mario Zuccarini, Tenente Lucio Stramese, Tenente Biron, Sottotenente Aurelio Morandi, Sottotenente Raffaele Marzocca, Sottotenente Franco Storchi, Sottotenente Roberto Di Lollo, Maresciallo Luigi Jellici, Maresciallo Silvio Girolami, Maresciallo Danilo Billi, Maresciallo Romano Spazzoli, Sergente Maggiore Gino Pizzati, Sergente Maggiore Mario Veronesi, Sergente Maggiore Giampiero Svanini, Sergente Maggiore Isonzo Baccarini and Sergente Dante Toselli.
Under the command of Capitano Giuseppe Robetto, Second-in-Command of 1^o Gruppo Caccia, they transferred during early December to Rangsdorf (Berlin) where they were to train on gliders between 5 to 30 December. The gliders used were the two-seater Kranich, the single-seater Grunau and the Habicht 14, 8 and 6 (the number indicates the wingspan in meters). The Habicht 6 was similar in handling to the Me163 during un-powered flight.
After almost three hours of gliding, the Italians were transferred from Rangsdorf to Liegnitz were they finally saw the Komet for the first time. However bad weather and the Russian advance didn't allow any of the Italian pilots to ever fly the Me163 and the pilots returned to Italy at the beginning of February 1945.

When they returned to Italy they were redeployed to Lonate Pozzolo.

On the evening of 17 February 1945, while on leave, he escaped a partisan attack on the Bassano del Grappa bridge. His wife was unharmed, while he lost his right eye. During his forced stay on the ground, he compiled a detailed diary inventory of the 1^o Gruppo, a precious document that survived the war.

After the surrender of the unit on 29 April 1945, Biron remained in custody in Milan until August, when he was released.

Biron ended the war with 3 biplane victories and a total of 12.

After the war, he was removed from the Air Force, like all the fighters of the ANR.

In 1950, after being acquitted of the charge of collaboration with the Germans, he was recalled to service. He was discharged in 1971 with the rank of Colonnello.

Biron died in Treviso on 24 February 2011.

Claims:

Kill no.	Date	Time	Number	Type	Result	Plane type	Serial no.	Locality	Unit
	193?
1	??/??/3?		1	Enemy aircraft	Destroyed	Fiat CR.32		Spain
2	??/??/3?		1	Enemy aircraft	Destroyed	Fiat CR.32		Spain
3	??/??/3?		1	Enemy aircraft	Destroyed	Fiat CR.32		Spain
	1942
4	05/02/42		1	I-16	Destroyed	MC.200		Russia	369a Squadriglia
5	24/02/42		1	MiG-1	Destroyed	MC.200		Russia	369a Squadriglia
	28/02/42	15:00	1/10	I-26	Shared destroyed	MC.200		Alexandrowka	369a Squadriglia
	28/02/42	15:00	1/10	I-26	Shared destroyed	MC.200		Alexandrowka	369a Squadriglia
6	28/02/42		1	I-26 (a)	Destroyed	MC.200		Alexandrowka	369a Squadriglia
7	09/03/42		1	I-18 (b)	Destroyed	MC.200		Russia	369a Squadriglia
	09/03/42		1/6	Enemy fighter	Shared destroyed	MC.200		Mikhailowka area	369a Squadriglia
	09/03/42		1/6	Enemy fighter	Shared destroyed	MC.200		Mikhailowka area	369a Squadriglia
	09/03/42		1/6	Enemy fighter	Shared destroyed	MC.200		Mikhailowka area	369a Squadriglia
	09/03/42		1/6	Enemy fighter	Shared probably destroyed	MC.200		Mikhailowka area	369a Squadriglia
	09/03/42		1/6	Enemy fighter	Shared probably destroyed	MC.200		Mikhailowka area	369a Squadriglia
	1943
8	15/07/43		1	B-17 (c)	Destroyed	MC.202		Foggia	369a Squadriglia
9	21/08/43		1	P-38 (d)	Destroyed	MC.202		Napoli	369a Squadriglia
	25/08/43		1	P-38	Probably destroyed	MC.202		Napoli	369a Squadriglia
10	27/08/43		1	P-38 (e)	Destroyed	MC.202		Napoli	369a Squadriglia
	27/08/43		1	P-38 (e)	Probably destroyed	MC.202		Napoli	369a Squadriglia
11	28/08/43		1	P-38 (f)	Destroyed	MC.202		Volturno mouth	369a Squadriglia
	28/08/43		1	P-38 (f)	Probably destroyed	MC.202		Volturno mouth	369a Squadriglia
	??/??/43		1/?	Enemy aircraft	Shared destroyed	MC.202		Italy	369a Squadriglia
	??/??/43		1/?	Enemy aircraft	Shared destroyed	MC.202		Italy	369a Squadriglia
	??/??/43		1/?	Enemy aircraft	Shared destroyed	MC.202		Italy	369a Squadriglia
	??/??/43		1/?	Enemy aircraft	Shared destroyed	MC.202		Italy	369a Squadriglia
	1944
12	19/03/44		1	B-17	Destroyed	G.55			1o Gruppo

Biplane victories: 3 destroyed.
TOTAL: 12 and 9 shared destroyed, 3 and 2 shared probably destroyed.
(a) Yak-1.
(b) MiG-1?
(c) B-17 from the 341st BS, 97th BG, damaged.
(d) Claimed in combat with P-38s from 1st FG, which suffered 3 damaged. The 22^o Gruppo claimed 6 P-38s destroyed.
(e) P-38 42-12878 of the 49th FS, 14th FG, flown by 2nd Lieutenant Edward J. Hyland.
(f) Claimed in combat with P-38s from the 14th FG and the 1st FG, which lost 1 and 4 respectively. The 3^o Stormo and the 22^o Gruppo were credited with 12 P-38s shot down.

Sources:
Elenco Nominativo dei Militari dell’ A. M. Decorati al V. M. Durante it Periodo 1929 - 1945 1 Volume A - L
Gli Assi Italiani Della Regia Aeronautica - Giovanni Massimello, 2023 Difesa Servizi SpA Edizioni Rivista
Istituto del Nastro Azzurro
Ministero della Difesa - Banca Dati sulle sepolture dei Caduti in Guerra