President Obama decorates General Portolano

10/06/14

Division General Luciano Portolano was honored today with the "Legion of Merit" for his work as commander of the Regional Command West of the ISAF mission from September 2011 to March 2012.

The high honor was delivered, on behalf of the president of the United States of America, by General John R. Allen, former commander of ISAF and current representative of the United States government for the Middle East in the presence of the chief of staff of the general army Claudio Graziano.

"I can assure you - said General Allen in his speech - that I have never been afraid of what was happening in the Regional Command West because I have full confidence in the ability to command, courage and strength of Italian soldiers".

"General Portolano - continued General Allen - deserved this honor because he placed himself at the head of his men and was able to lead them by example, with competence and intelligence, as a great commander must do."

General Graziano underlined the value of the Legion of Merit, "the highest honor that can be granted to a non-American officer". Value that "in the case of General Portolano is even greater because it was granted to him as obtained in the field".

“The exceptionally meritorious service and superb leadership of General Portolano” - reads the motivation - “have had an extremely positive impact on the mission of the coalition and on the Afghan population. The operations planned and carried out under his command have contributed to significantly increase security and to increase the number of former insurgents reintegrated into local institutions of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.

Furthermore, General Portolano's style of command facilitated the creation of a close relationship of collaboration with the Afghan Security Forces. The exceptional command capacity and initiative, demonstrated by General Portolano, testify to his great authority and contribute to strengthening the prestige of the Italian Army and of the entire country ”.

The Legion of Merit Official Class is an honor established by President Roosevelt in the 1942 and can be granted to members of the US Army and allied nations.

Source: General Office of the Army Chief of Staff - Public Information and Communication Office - Sz. PI