Military Order of Italy to 4 Paratrooper Generals - Video

In the Salone dei Corazzieri at the Quirinale, in the presence of the Head of State and the highest institutional and military authorities, the awards of the Military Order of Italy (OMI), the highest national military honor for collective or command merits, were presented. This year, four General Officers of the paratroopers—Stefano Messina, Beniamino Vergori, Gianluca Feroce and Giuseppe Faraglia—were honored for actions that combined command, courage, and vision in highly critical scenarios.

What is the Military Order of Italy

Heir to the Military Order of Savoy (established in 1815 and reformed in 1855), the OMI assumed its current name on January 2, 1947. It is awarded—even in peacetime and posthumously—for command actions distinguished by courage and skill, and can also be awarded to the Flag. It includes five classes: Knight, Officer, Commander, Grand Officer, Knight Grand Cross. The Head of the Order is the President of the Republic; the Chancellor and Treasurer is the Minister of Defense. The honor includes an annual pension provided by law.

Institutional significance

The four honors testify to the continuity of service rendered by the Italian Armed Forces in crisis theaters and in the defense of national and international interests, from the Mediterranean to Asia. In the words contained in the motivations—courage, command, skill, vision—the essence of the Military Order of Italy and the meaning of the recurrence of November 4 are reflected, which unites memory, gratitude, and responsibility towards the Country.

The decorated and the motivations

Gen. Giuseppe Faraglia – Cross of “Knight” OMI

"An authoritative and charismatic General Officer, as Commander of the Joint Evacuation Task Force, operated within the framework of Operations “Aquila”, “Aquila Omnia” and “Aquila Omnia bis” in Afghanistan and the subsequent activities for the evacuation of compatriots from Sudan. In this context, with determination and organizational ability, he managed to save thousands of people, demonstrating courage, audacity, and exceptional valor. With his brilliant command action and exceptional work, he contributed to enhancing the luster and prestige of Italy and its Armed Forces internationally."

Theaters and period: Afghanistan and Sudan, 2021–2024 and 2023.

Gen. Stefano Messina – Cross of “Knight” OMI

"A General Officer of extraordinary human and professional qualities, commanding the Joint Task Force Lebanon - Sector West within the framework of Operation Leonte, he faced with skill and firmness an extremely complex operational context, characterized by the intensification of the conflict between the Israeli Defense Forces and Hezbollah militias. With iron determination and far-sighted vision, he managed the continuous threats to the security of the UNIFIL Contingent and the civilian population, ensuring the full execution of the mission's mandate, despite the various direct attacks on UN bases. In particular, with clarity and timeliness, he led the operational response to ground incursions and air attacks, preserving the safety of the personnel under his command and ensuring the integrity of strategic infrastructures. With his brilliant leadership and extraordinary work, he contributed to enhancing the prestige of Italy and its Armed Forces internationally."

Theater and period: Lebanon, June 2024 – February 2025.

Gen. Beniamino Vergori – Cross of “Knight” OMI

"Commander of the Italian Contingent, at the start of the highly delicate Mission “Retrograde to Zero” aimed at the return of NATO and national Forces from Afghanistan, he led his men with valor, courage, and enlightened command action. In this context, he implemented with rare skill a masterful and massive logistical-operational effort to conduct the withdrawal of the national contingent in maximum safety and in line with the timelines set by the coalition's political and military authorities. A General Officer of high caliber, within the numerous international assignments carried out throughout his career, he contributed to enhancing the luster and prestige of Italy and its Armed Forces internationally."

Theater and period: Herat (Afghanistan), January – June 2021.

Gen. Gianluca Feroce – Cross of “Knight” OMI

"A General Officer of exceptional human and military qualities, employed in delicate operations at home and in the most challenging foreign operational theaters, he expended every personal resource for the achievement of national and international security. Within the framework of “Mission Alba”, commanding a Company of Paratrooper Carabinieri stationed in Tirana, he led, personally participating, an intervention aimed at stopping a violent firefight between factions of civilians, managing, thanks to the resoluteness of the action, to cease hostilities and seize a large quantity of weapons and ammunition, taken from rival gangs. His extraordinary courage and undisputed professional abilities received unconditional praise from national and international Authorities, giving luster and prestige to Italy and its Armed Forces worldwide."

Theaters and period: national and foreign territory, January 1996 – March 2025.

The profiles of the decorated

Division General Stefano Messina

Neapolitan, born in 1970, trained at the Military Academy of Modena (173rd) and the School of Application in Turin (degree in Transport Engineering). Extensive command experience in the historic Paratrooper Engineer Company and then in operational theaters such as Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan; assignments at the Army General Staff and Ministry of Defense; Military Attaché in Washington (2020–2023); Commander of the “Sassari” Brigade (2023–2025) and Commander of JTF Lebanon – Sector West (2024–2025). Paratrooper, highly decorated in Italy and abroad, speaks English, French, and Spanish.

Brigadier General Beniamino Vergori

From Lecce, born in 1969, Academy of Modena (170th “Audacia”) and School of Application in Turin. Career in the Paratrooper Brigade “Folgore” with command assignments up to the Brigade; NATO experiences at NRDC-ITA and SHAPE; missions in Somalia, Bosnia, Albania, Afghanistan, Libya, and Lebanon. Degrees and masters in strategic and politico-military areas; numerous national and international parachutist qualifications; highly decorated in national and NATO/USA contexts.

Brigadier General Giuseppe Faraglia

Academy of Modena (165th), raider of the 9th “Col Moschin” since 1989 (then battalion and regiment commander), repeatedly employed in Kurdistan, Somalia (decorated for Military Valor in the “Battle of the Pasta Factory”), Afghanistan, and in joint organizations (COFS). He has led units and schools (CAV and Infantry School) and since June 30, 2020 commands the Italian Joint Force Headquarters (ITA-JFHQ). Highly decorated and former Defense Attaché in Kabul.

Brigadier General (CC) Gianluca Feroce

Roman, Military Academy of Modena (172nd “Character”) and Carabinieri Officers School. Long experience in the 1st Paratrooper Carabinieri Regiment “Tuscania” (company commander), commanding the GIS and in top positions at the General Command. He has led units in Bosnia, Albania, Kosovo, and Afghanistan; former Provincial Commander of Genoa (2019–2022) and Commander of the 2nd Mobile Carabinieri Brigade (2023–2025), today Commander of the Abruzzo and Molise Legion of the Carabinieri. Multiple degrees and NATO courses; recognitions in Italy, France, and Afghanistan.