Gastone De Portis was from Udine.

Sergente Maggiore De Portis was decorated with his first Croce di guerra al valor militare (gazetted 1943) for his actions over the Mediterranean between October 1940 and March 1941:

"Skilled fighter pilot, he participated in escort flights for bombing formations over enemy territory, flying over vast expanses of open sea. During a strafing operation on enemy aircraft on an airfield, he demonstrated daring and professional skill, contributing to the destruction of several enemy aircraft."
Mediterranean skies, October 1940 - March 1941-XIX.

In May 1941, Sergente Maggiore De Portis served in the 162^a Squadriglia on Rhodes. This unit was at the time equipped with the Fiat CR.42.

Early in the morning on 27 May, a photo-reconnaissance Hurricane (V7423) of 2 PRU made a sortie over Rhodes in the hands of ex-30 Squadron pilot, Flying Officer S. N. Pearce. It was intercepted and claimed as probably shot down by Sergente Maggiore De Portis, but in fact returned undamaged.

De Portis was promoted to Sottotenente due to war merits with seniority from 15 September 1941.

Sottotenente De Portis was decorated with his second Croce di guerra al valor militare (gazetted 1944) and the Medaglia di bronzo al valor militare (gazetted 1949) for his actions over the Mediterranean between 6 October 1942 and 4 March 1943. The citation for the Croce di guerra al valor militare stated:

"Fighter pilot, in numerous war missions, often under particularly difficult conditions, he successfully completed his tasks with great distinction. In every circumstance, he demonstrated exemplary skill, aggressiveness, and bravery."
Mediterranean skies, 6 October 1942 - 4 March 1943.

De Portis ended the war with 1 probable victory, this one claimed while flying the Fiat CR.42.

Claims:

Kill no.	Date	Time	Number	Type	Result	Plane type	Serial no.	Locality	Unit
	1941
	27/05/41	morning	1	Blenheim (a)	Probably destroyed	Fiat CR.42		Rhodes	162a Squadriglia

Biplane victories: 1 probably destroyed.
TOTAL: 1 probably destroyed.
(a) Hurricane (V7423) of 2 PRU flown by Flying Officer S. N. Pearce returned undamaged.

Sources:
A History of the Mediterranean Air War 1940-1945: Volume One - Christopher Shores and Giovanni Massimello with Russell Guest, 2012 Grub Street, London, ISBN 978-1908117076
Elenco Nominativo dei Militari dell’ A. M. Decorati al V. M. Durante it Periodo 1929 - 1945 1 Volume A - L
Istituto del Nastro Azzurro