Genoa, June 10, 2025 – With a solemn ceremony rich in historical significance, the Italian Navy celebrated its commemorative day today, paying tribute to the Premuda feat of June 10, 1918, and welcoming the Amerigo Vespucci back from its epic world tour. In the presence of the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella, the Minister of Defense Guido Crosetto, and the highest military and civilian authorities, Genoa was the beating heart of a heartfelt tribute to the men and women in uniform.
A legacy of glory and sacrifice
In his speech, Admiral Enrico Credendino, Chief of Staff of the Navy, recalled how this day does not celebrate the founding of the Armed Forces – which in 2025 turns 164 years old – but an exemplary military action: the legendary feat of Premuda. On June 10, 1918, two Italian MAS, led by Corvette Captain Luigi Rizzo and Ensign Giuseppe Aonzo, sank the Austro-Hungarian battleship Santo Stefano, marking the moral decline of the enemy fleet.
"It was the result of a farsighted strategy, innovation in means and tactics, and the courage of determined men," Credendino declared. Values reiterated in the memory of the underwater air attack on Alexandria, Egypt, in 1941, conducted by Lieutenant Durand de La Penne and his men, a symbol of the ability to face fear with firmness and dedication to duty.
The Vespucci feat: a metaphor for a sailor's life
A special tribute was dedicated to ship Vespucci, which returned to Genoa after a two-year epic, visiting 53 ports in 32 countries, sailing over 49,000 nautical miles. "An extreme journey," said Credendino, "that required sacrifice, resilience, and a collective commitment from the entire Navy." One million two hundred thousand people visited the Villaggio Italia and over one billion three hundred million followed the campaign on social media, making this initiative a global success in projecting the Sistema Paese.
The Admiral expressed heartfelt thoughts for Corvette Captain Daniele Marino, the ship's doctor, tragically lost in Brazil: "A loss that touches us deeply."
The Navy today: present everywhere, ready for the future
The Chief of Staff reminded how every day the Navy is operational with an average of 30 ships, two submarines, amphibious units, and flight groups engaged in all quadrants of the globe. In an increasingly competitive and unstable global scenario, especially in a Mediterranean that has become a crossroads of international dynamics, the Navy represents a bastion of security and strategic projection.
Credendino highlighted the paradigm shift underway in the Armed Forces: innovation, adaptability, synergy with industry, and enhancement of human capital. An example is the National Underwater Dimension Hub, active for just over a year but already a protagonist of numerous projects with over 90 partners among universities, companies, and research centers.
A manifesto for well-being and leadership
At the center of the internal reform is also organizational well-being, through a manifesto of seven good practices and a decalogue for commanders, to strengthen leadership and improve the quality of life and work within the Armed Forces. "The silent and daily discipline of our sailors is the engine of everything we achieve," the Admiral stated firmly.
“Our horizon is beyond, we will go there together”
Concluding his speech, Admiral Credendino drew an ideal line between the feats of the past, the present of the Navy, and future challenges. "The journey of the Vespucci is the metaphor of our life: difficult, demanding, but unique and extraordinary. In these 45 years, I have had the honor of being part of this great crew, and I am sure that every man and woman of the Navy shares this same pride."
A powerful message, culminating in a call to collective identity and service for Italy:
“Always remember: we are the great crew. Our horizon is beyond, we will go there together. Long live the Navy! Long live the Armed Forces! Long live Italy!”
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