In Memorial Day, celebrated by Italy and the other 29 NATO Allies in Brussels, the Major General of the Alpini Massimo Panizzi, Deputy Military Representative to the Atlantic Council, yesterday January 27 was decorated by the US General Austin Scott Miller with the rank of Officer of the Legion of Merit USA.
The Permanent Representative of Italy to the Atlantic Council, Ambassador Francesco Talò, participated in the ceremony, among the various civil and military authorities of NATO, who warmly complimented the decoration received by “An exceptional officer who served with pride and loyalty in Afghanistan as part of the NATO Resolute Support Mission. It is a pride for the whole country ".
The Legion of Merit is a US military decoration created on July 20, 1942 and attributed by the US president to those who distinguished themselves for exceptional conduct during the war. It can be awarded to both American and foreign citizens who have fought with the United States during an armed conflict.
General Panizzi received the high honor - as stated in the motivation - for the exceptional and meritorious services rendered in Afghanistan, from May 2018 to June 2019, as deputy head of Staff-Support of the Headquarters of the Operation Strong Support, the military operation led by NATO in Afghanistan, which began on 1 January 2015, after the end of the previous International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission.
The extraordinary command of General Panizzi has ensured the daily logistical support and livelihood of over 16.000 coalition soldiers, engaged in daily training, assistance, and consultancy operations in direct support of the mission. Panizzi directed a multinational staff of over 300 people representing 16 different countries; responsible for 8 functional branches and providing human resources, information technology, financial management, engineering, medical support, and vital installations to support 7 strategic bases and 16 NATO tactical bases throughout Afghanistan.
It also oversaw the mission's entire Afghan network, consisting of a core of strengthened training networks, councils, commands and task forces across Afghanistan. General Panizzi also managed 48 multi-year NATO construction projects, worth € 414 million. Finally, his ability to synchronize the efforts of over 10.000 military, civilian and contract staff recruited to support operations within the joint operational area, has allowed the Command of the Operation Support Steadfast to have the military conditions that led the historic negotiation with the Taliban leadership and the first ceasefire in the 17 years of the long conflict.
“The exceptional efforts of General Panizzi, his exceptional leadership, and his personal initiative - you always read in the motivation - reflect great credit on his person, on the Italian Army and on his country ".
Source: international foreign press agency / US embassy
Photo: Italian representation to NATO
