Leonardo Da Vinci Award Honored to Chief of Naval Operations by National Italian American Foundation

Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. Lisa Franchetti, originally from Rochester, N.Y., has been honored with the Leonardo Da Vinci Award in Military Service. The prestigious accolade was presented by the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) during its 49th anniversary gala on October 26.

The award celebrates notable contributions and achievements by Italian Americans, and Franchetti stands among six distinguished honorees this year.

In her acceptance speech, Franchetti expressed gratitude to NIAF for the recognition. She reflected on her family’s journey to America in pursuit of the American dream, highlighting their resilience and values. Raised on the principles of hard work and integrity, Franchetti attributed her success to her grandparents and parents.

Her grandfather, Rebello Franchetti, a skilled stonecutter, and her grandmother, Chiarina Rhea, played pivotal roles in shaping their family’s future. Their efforts enabled Franchetti’s father to become the first in their family to pursue higher education and excel as an engineer.

These values were passed down to Adm. Franchetti and subsequently to her daughter, Isabel Maria Franchetti, who embraced her Italian heritage while living in Italy through the Navy’s postings.

Franchetti underscored the dedication of the Navy’s sailors and civilians, acknowledging their contributions to her accomplishments. She noted the active deployment of many sailors around the globe, emphasizing their critical role in ensuring national security.

Highlighting international cooperation, Franchetti praised the joint operations between the U.S. and Italian Navies, emphasizing the strengthening partnership, demonstrated in recent drills involving the Abraham Lincoln and the Italian Carrier Strike Group, ITS Cavour.

Concluding her remarks, Franchetti expressed pride in her Italian-American heritage and the values it instilled in her. She extended her appreciation to NIAF and her audience, reinforcing her commitment to service and heritage.