U.S. Army Europe commander presents Legion of Merit to Italian Army chief of staff
Feb. 12, 2013
By Kelly Schloesser, U.S. Army Europe Office of the Commanding General
ROME, Italy -- U.S. Army Europe commander Lt. Gen. Donald M. Campbell Jr. pins the Legion of Merit medal, Degree of Commander on Italian Army Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Claudio Graziano here, Feb. 11. Graziano was honored for his contributions to Italy’s defense forces and international security missions around the world. Campbell was here to further U.S. military-to-military partnership opportunities with the Italian Army. Discussions focused on strategic trends and developments in the European security environment, as well as ways land forces can come together to address future challenges. (Photo courtesy U.S. Embassy Rome)
HEIDELBERG, Germany - U.S. Army Europe commander Lt. Gen. Donald M. Campbell Jr. presented the U.S. Legion of Merit medal, Degree of Commander, to Italian Army Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Claudio Graziano during a visit with Italian Land Forces in Rome, Feb. 11.
Graziano was honored for his many contributions to Italy’s defense forces and international security missions around the world. He has been a champion of cooperation between the Italian and United States armie and furthered commitment with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. His support to U.S. servicemembers stationed in Italy has had a significant and positive impact on Italian-U.S. relations.
Graziano’s leadership has also guided the Army through a period of transformation. Italy’s forces are now more interoperable and capable to address today’s security challenges and future instability. Graziano was instrumental in making Italy a consistent troop contributor to the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, UNIFIL (the United Nations Interim Force In Lebanon), and in Kosovo.
Campbell was in Rome to further U.S. military-to-military partnership opportunities with the Italian Army. Discussions focused on strategic trends and developments in the European security environment, as well as ways land forces can come together to address future challenges.
USAREUR has presented the U.S. Legion of Merit medal to deserving leaders across its area of responsibility to salute their dedication to creating bonds between the European countries and the United States that further multinational engagement, theater security cooperation strategy and force interoperability.
More images of the medal presentation ceremony are available in a set in USAREUR's Flickr photostream.
About us: U.S. Army Europe is uniquely positioned to advance American strategic interests across Eurasia, building teams, assuring allies and deterring enemies. The relationships we build during more than 1,000 theater security cooperation events in more than 40 countries each year lead directly to support for U.S. actions such as in Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Libya.