The U.S. Navy appears to be the source of many Italian American firsts. Newly nominated for Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) is Admiral Lisa Franchetti. If Senate-approved, she will be the first female CNO and the first female on the Joint Chiefs of Staff. She is already on the job as acting CNO, the culmination of a career that the 59- year-old Franchetti began in 1981 while attending college in upstate New York. Enticed by a $100 monthly stipend and a possible scholarship by signing on to Navy ROTC, she took the plunge and liked it. She is now a 4-star admiral as well as married with a child.
The Navy also had to replace the out-going commander of the Pacific Fleet, Admiral John Aquilino. The Long Island native is a real live Top Gun fighter pilot with managerial skills. He is being replaced by Admiral Samuel Paparo, also a Top Gun hailing from western Pennsylvania. Both these Italos have over 1,000 landings on aircraft carriers, along with top notch leadership backgrounds. In the case of Franchetti, she credits her dad’s exemplary management skills at Dupont for her rise to the top. “I got to watch my dad and learn from him as a manager and leader and how he took care of his people.”
While I have always been a cheerleader for positive Italian Americans, I admit to reservations about Franchetti’s appointment. She was not the choice of the Navy or the Defense Dept. They preferred Admiral Paparo for the Chief slot. It was the White House that wanted to ‘check another box’ – the female one. But Geraldine Ferraro forgive me, the optics of a 5’ 2” lady in that top spot is too discomforting both for the ranks and our international image. We were proud when Nancy Pelosi became House Speaker, a political post; proud of Capt. Marie Rossi, the first female pilot to serve and die in combat (Iraq 1991); lauded Capt. Bonnie Tiburzi, America’s first female commercial airline pilot. But given a choice between Paparo and Franchetti, the Top Gun would be better suited.
The Senate may also have similar reservations when Franchetti’s nomination reaches it. Whatever the final outcome, she does exemplify an Italic trait quite underrated. Whether in the military, industry, or sports, Italic people seem to have that special management ability for human relations and problem solving. Emperor Augustus often said that it was easier to conquer an empire than to manage one – that’s how far back our skill set goes.
The Navy also gave us another ace manager in Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. His 6-year military stint earned him the rank of Lieutenant (equivalent to Captain in the Army), and unlike 99% of our current politicians, he volunteered to serve his country. He is the successful governor of a well-managed state, with the courage to take on corporate America and utopian Woke culture. Score one for us if he overcomes the odds to be the Republican nominee for president.
Other scorers batting for traditional values are House Speaker Kevin (Palladino) McCarthy and Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV, orig: Mancini). Both these men have become the ultimate ‘check & balance’ in the current political strife – one working within the Democratic Party, the other across the aisle.
I’ve always believed that when things get rough, call in an Italian. -JLM
We need to hear some good news after the terrible battle over Columbus. Our record is a great one and we need to continue to remind the public of that record. Especially with the constant organized image in the media. Almost every night you can see a mafia movie on TV.
I I have not seen Oppenheimer yet but I trust that the prominent Italian physicists there (Fermi and Segre’) are mentioned. And while the field of science fiction has attracted writers from many ethnic backgrounds, one of the giants in the field was the late Ben Bova, a native of South Philly and an Italian-American. He not only was famous as an author of science fiction and science fact, but was also a very respected editor of science fiction magazines, helping to advance the careers of many writers in the field.