Adrio Gismondi was born in 1917 and was from Nemi (Roma).

In November 1940, Gismondi served in 154^o Gruppo Autonomo C.T., which was equipped with Fiat CR.42s. The unit was at this time operating over Greece.

On 7 November, six Wellingtons from 70 Squadron took off at daybreak to attack Valona.
Over the port the bombers were attacked by a number of 154^o Gruppo CR.42s, the crews identifying their attackers as CR.42s and Breda 65s. Wellington T2734 exploded in mid air, Sergeant G. N. Brooks and his crew being killed, while T2731 went down in fames with the loss of Flight Lieutenant A. E. Brian's crew. Two more Wellingtons were hit and damaged, although returning crews claimed that they had shot down one CR.42 and probably a Ba.65. Three of the bombers were claimed shot down by the Italians, one each by fighter pilots Tenente Walter Franchino and Sergente Maggiore Adrio Gismondi, and one by AA. No losses were suffered by the Italians, but Franchino's CR 42 was apparently hit. That afternoon when he took off again, one wing broke off and he crashed to his death - unobserved combat damage during the morning's fight was considered to have been responsible.

Sergente Maggiore Gismondi was decorated with his first Medaglia di bronzo al valor militare (gazetted 1943) for his actions over Greece between December 1940 and January 1941:

"In numerous missions and combats, he consistently demonstrated a high fighting spirit and a calm disregard for danger. Scrambling to counter an enemy attack, he engaged in combat, collaborating in the downing of four bombers, and pursued the survivors deep into enemy territory, strafing them."
Skies of Greece, December 1940 - January 1941-XIX.

Later in the war, Sergente Maggiore Gismondi served in the 382^a Squadriglia, 21^o Gruppo.
The 21^o Gruppo (356^a, 361^a, 382^a and 386^aSquadriglie) gradually replaced the 22^o Gruppo in Russia during April-May 1942.

In the beginning of July, the CSIR was transformed into the ARMIR (Armata Italiana in Russia).
On 9 July, the Italian fighters moved to Makejewka airfield, the first to arrive were the aircraft of 382^a and 386^aSquadriglie. This was to take part in the advance across the Don.
The advance was so rapid that the 382^a and 386^aSquadriglie were moved moved still further forward and on 24 July they moved to Tanziskaja airfield.
Later they moved forward to Obliskaja.

On 26 July 1942, the 382^a Squadriglia escorted German Ju 87s from 6./St.G. 2 heading for an attack on Kalatasch. Over the target, they met a reported twenty Soviet LaGG-3s, which in short time shot down three C.200s from the Squadriglia. Tenente Francesco Peroni and Sergente Arrigo Zoli were killed while Sergente Maggiore Gismondi was able to parachute to become a PoW. The Ju 87s also suffered several damaged aircraft.
No Soviet aircraft were lost.

After his capture, Sergente Maggiore Gismondi was decorated a third Medaglia di bronzo al valor militare (gazetted 1943) for his actions over Russia between June and July 1942:

"Fighter pilot who participated in military actions, consistently demonstrating a combative spirit. While escorting a group of allied bombers deep into enemy territory, he was attacked by enemy fighters. Fully aware of the importance of his duty, he threw himself into the battle. He managed to ensure the safe return of the escorted aircraft, but, overwhelmed by the superior number of adversaries, he did not return to base."
Skies of Russia, June-July 1942-XX.

Gismondi ended the war with 1 biplane victory.

Claims:

Kill no.	Date	Number	Type	Result	Plane type	Serial no.	Locality	Unit
	1940
1	07/11/40	1	Wellington (a)	Destroyed	Fiat CR.42		Valona	154o Gruppo

Biplane victories: 1 destroyed.
TOTAL: 1 destroyed.
(a) 154^o Gruppo and AA claimed three Wellingtons and two Wellingtons from 70 Squadron was shot down and two damaged. Wellingtons T2734 (Sergeant G. N. Brooks) and T2731 (Flight Lieutenant A. E. Brian) were lost with all crew.

Sources:
Air war for Yugoslavia, Greece and Crete - Christopher Shores, Brian Cull and Nicola Malizia, 1987 Grub Street, London, ISBN 0-948817-07-0
Ali Sulla Steppa: La Regia Aeronautica nella campagna di Russia – Nicola Malizia, 2008 IBN Editore, Roma, ISBN 88-7565-049-7
Elenco Nominativo dei Militari dell’ A. M. Decorati al V. M. Durante it Periodo 1929 - 1945 1 Volume A - L
Istituto del Nastro Azzurro
Regia Aeronautica