Adm. Giampaolo Di Paola

Adm. Giampaolo Di Paola served as Minister of Defense in the Italian Government from November 2011 to April 2013. Former Chairman of the NATO Military Committee and Chief of Defense Staff of the Italian Armed Forces, he served as Chief of the Cabinet Office of the Ministry of Defense and in other national and international appointments. His military decorations and awards include the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Italy, Meritorious Service Medal for distinguished military service, Commander of Legion of Merit (USA), Commandeur de l’Ordre de la Legion d’Honneur (FR), Commandeur de l’Ordre National du Merite (FR), Grand Officer of the Order of Infante Don Enrico (PO), Grand Officer of Military Virtue with War Insignia (RO), and earned the UN Medal for the UN Peacekeeping Mission in Kosovo.