The aim of the paper is to highlight some applications in the demographic and historical context of the data published on the Albo d'oro (Roll of Honour). The analysis focus on a database that contains all the information about the fallen soldiers of Basilicata, one of the poorest Italian regions. In the work are highlighted some selection factors that determined the number of soldiers who died in war and the differences in mortality with respect to the rest of the country. Some demographic factors such as birth and death rates, anthropometric factors, such as soldiers' height, and socio-economic factors, such as employment, are analyzed. The peculiar characteristics of Basilicata soldiers have resulted in higher mortality in combat and lower in disease than in the rest of Italy.
