Faliero Gelli was born in 1916 and was from Pistoia.

In November 1940, Sergente Maggiore Gelli served in the 153^a Squadriglia of the 3^o Gruppo, which was equipped with Fiat CR.42s

In the afternoon on 27 November 1940, three CR.42s of the 153^a Squadriglia piloted by Tenente Pellicioli, Tenente Falconi and Sergente Maggiore Gelli scrambled and intercepted a British aircraft identified as a ‘Blackburn Roc’ (probably a Skua) and Gelli claimed it probably shot down off the Tunisian coast.

Sergente Maggiore Gelli was decorated with the Croce di guerra al valor militare (gazetted 1942) for his actions over the Mediterranean between 14 and 15 June 1942:

"As a fighter pilot, he participated in the brilliant victory of Italy's Air Wing on 14 and 15 June 1942, in the Mediterranean."
Skies of the Mediterranean, 14-15 June 1942-XX.

Gelli was captured in July and became a PoW.

Sergente Maggiore Gelli was decorated with his first Medaglia d’argento al valor militare (gazetted 1942) for his actions over Malta in July 1942:

"Fighter pilot, he carried out numerous missions over heavily fortified enemy air-naval bases, always fighting valiantly. In fierce and intense battles, he was always present where the risk was greatest, significantly contributing to the downing of many enemy aircraft. After a particularly violent battle, having fought bravely, he did not return to the base."
Skies of Malta and the Mediterranean, July 1942-XX.

Sergente Maggiore Gelli was decorated with his second Medaglia d’argento al valor militare (gazetted 1943) for his actions over Malta in June and July 1942:

"Fighter pilot, distinguished for his decisiveness and aggressiveness in actions against a heavily fortified air-naval base, he bravely withstood the onslaught of enemy fighters. In fierce battles, both individually and in collaboration, he contributed to numerous victories. In every circumstance, he demonstrated exemplary skill and bravery."
Skies of Malta, June-July 1942-XX.

Gelli ended the war with 1 probable biplane victory.

Claims:

Kill no.	Date	Time	Number	Type	Result	Plane type	Serial no.	Locality	Unit
	1940
	27/11/40	p.m.	1	’Blackburn Roc’ (a)	Probable	Fiat CR.42		Off Tunisian coast	153a Squadriglia

Biplane victories: 1 probably destroyed.
TOTAL: 1 probably destroyed.
(a) Probably a Blackburn Skua.

Sources:
3^o Stormo, storia fotografica - Dai biplani agli aviogetti - C. Lucchini and E. Leproni, 1990 Gino Rossato Editore.
Elenco Nominativo dei Militari dell’ A. M. Decorati al V. M. Durante it Periodo 1929 - 1945 1 Volume A - L
Istituto del Nastro Azzurro
Additional information kindly provided by Giovanni Massimello and Ludovico Slongo.