about 3,500 italians in dalmatia during world war i took refuge as exiles in italy. they were led by antonio cippico, alessandro, and roberto dudan ghiglianovich: more than 250 volunteers enrolled in the italian army and risked the gallows, as when the austrians killed francesco rismondo (executed in gorizia in 1915 and active member of the irredentist organization "pro patria" in spalato). to francesco rismondo the kingdom of italy awarded the gold medal of military valor.