To gauge the magnitude of the defamation of Italian Americans perpetrated by Puzo, Coppola, Scorsese, and Chase, we need to visit only one area of our immense contributions to America: military service.
I’m not just talking about the millions of our brethren who served in the First and Second War Worlds, arguably the largest ethnic contingent, or the twenty Medals of Honor earned by them. Here, instead, you’ll find assembled the generals and admirals who began leading our armed forces in the Cold War and continue to do so.
Of the Four Horsemen of Defamation, as I call them, it was Puzo who decided that fictional Michael Corleone should be a decorated Marine captain. Coppola had him in uniform during the wedding scene in The Godfather. Over the years, mafia promoters and the FBI have converted the thieves and murderers of Italian American gangs into a strange hybrid of “families” and military-style units. A request to Artificial Intelligence (AI) will display ranks, chains of command, and nomenclature for these high school dropouts known as the “Mafia” or “La Cosa Nostra.” For example, did you know that a Consigliere outranks a “soldier” (made man) and a “Caporegime” (captain)? He is actually a staff officer assigned to the “Capofamiglia‘s” (godfather) headquarters rather than the combat zone (aka the street). As such he isn’t required to “hit the mattresses” or chow down with the “crew” (platoon).
But, enough of this absurd charade! Let’s explore the real Italian American military men.
There were no Italian American generals in World War I, II, or Korean War that I could find. Oddly enough, it was during the Civil War that we had such representation with General Edmund Ferrero (USA), Admiral Bancroft Gherardi (USA), General P.T. de Reggio Beauregard (CSA), and Luigi Palma di Cesnola (USA). These were mainly of men of northern Italian descent, at a time when the heroism and military success of Giuseppe Garibaldi in Italy made him world-renown.
During the Cold War, the military became more of a meritocracy, and the offspring of southern Italians rose through the ranks.
General Christopher LaNeve has recently been appointed Acting Chief of Army Staff, a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Somewhat controversial for his rigid, by-the-rules leadership, President Trump deems him a soldier “right from central casting.”
General Christopher Cavoli was an ROTC infantry officer who served 38 years, including in combat zones. He served as NATO commander from 2022-2025. Now 62 and retired.
Admiral Samuel Paparo is a TOPGUN graduate and has flown over 6,000 hours and 1,100 carrier landings. He is currently the Commander of U.S. Pacific forces since 2024.
General Custis Scaparrotti was West Point graduate who served 41 years, including in combat zones. He served as NATO commander from 2016-2019. Now 70 and retired.
General Paul Joseph LaCamera was a West Point graduate and commanded UN/U.S. Forces in S.Korea from 2021 to 2024.
General Robert RisCassi was an ROTC infantry/airborne officer who fought in Vietnam and later commanded UN/US forces in S. Korea (1990 to 1993). Now 90 and retired.
General Carl Vuono was a West Point graduate (artillery) who served as U.S. Army Chief of Staff (1987-1991). He prepared the Army training and logistics for Operation Desert Storm. Now 91 and retired.
General Anthony Zinni was a Marine officer wounded in Vietnam and later served as Chief of the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) from 2001 to 2003 monitoring Saddam Hussein. (Our Institute honored Gen. Zinni in 2002.)
General John Telelli was commissioned in the Army’s Armor Branch and rose to Commander in Chief, UN/US Forces in S. Korea from 1996 to 1999.
Such are the men that should be an essential part of our American story. As a footnote I recall General Telelli being one of my ROTC instructors at college. He was a Captain then. I never made it past Lieutenant! –JLM
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