Alexander Devolpi

Lover, Soldier, Reprobate Alexander Devolpi

Five wives (at least), up to 13 military conflicts, eight children (at the very least). Lover, Soldier, Reprobate About the exciting and troublesome life and family of Paul Bonaventura Charles Alexander Weiss DeVolpi: shanghaied when he immigrated from Italy in 1890 to the United States; enlisted three times in the U. S. Army, initially serving in Oklahoma Indian Territory around 1893; fought as a mercenary in many nations; and left a handful of wives around the world. His wartime enlistments included the Spanish-American War, the Philippine Insurrection, and the Canadian Army during World War I. Other combat engagements: the Boxer Rebellion, Mexican Revolution, and repatriation of Tripoli and the Dodecanese Islands. (However, his participation with the Italian Army in Abyssinia and the Cossacks in Russia are difficult to verify.) That's the Soldier part. As for Lover, there are four well-documented marriages in the United States, Canada, and Italy; also at least one or two more not confirmed. As for Reprobate, that's what a now-deceased half-brother from Canada called him ? with good reason. No divorces. Plenty of children. Also involved in some fraud, personal and an historic art scam. This is an historically factual and authentic trip starting in the late 1800s, written as a dialog between his surviving son (me, Alexander DeVolpi) with curious parties and interested listeners. Particularly fascinating is Bonaventura?s role in the Boxer Rebellion and his documented heroism during the Philippine Insurrection, all of which represent a forgotten but curious period in American history. Timeless photos, documents, and newspaper clippings are included so as to depict the individuals, their clothing, whereabouts, surroundings, medical profiles, correspondence, diaries, heraldry, medals, uniforms, and weapons. This is a true story ? mostly about marriage, valor, and deceit. If you join me on this trip, it?ll transport back to the 1900s, and to many places around the world. Be that as it may, it?s part biography, part history, mostly about my wayward father, a career soldier of fortune.