Top Admiral Enshrined into Rhode Island Italian American Hall of Fame

Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Lisa Franchetti, native of Rochester, New York, received prestigious recognition on November 2nd. She was honored with the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award by the Rhode Island Italian-American Hall of Fame (RIIAHF) in Providence, Rhode Island.

The RIIAHF, known for celebrating outstanding achievements in various professional fields, also provides scholarships to promising college freshmen. Admiral Franchetti was one of three distinguished Italian Americans celebrated this year.

In her acceptance speech, Adm. Franchetti reflected on her family’s pursuit of the American dream. Her great-grandparents emigrated from Italy, driven by aspirations for greater opportunities. These values, emphasized by her grandfather, a stonecutter, and her grandmother, the family matriarch, formed the backdrop for her father’s journey as the first college graduate in their family.

Adm. Franchetti credited her family’s principles for her success in the Navy and underscored the influence of her Italian heritage. She also acknowledged the vital role played by the Navy’s diverse team, expressing pride in the ongoing commitment of deployed Sailors and Marines.

Highlighting the strong ties with international allies, Adm. Franchetti mentioned recent collaborations between the U.S. Navy’s Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group and Italy’s ITS Cavour in the Indo-Pacific region. She expressed gratitude for her Italian-American roots and the enduring values that have guided her journey.