Why was a retired Coast Guard Admiral speaking at the 80th anniversary of the Liberation of Rome during World War II? This was a question I was pleased to address when I was invited to a recent conference held in Anzio-Nettuno, Italy, to share the U.S. Coast Guard’s role as an element of the Allied Naval Forces in the Liberation of Rome campaign. 

The event was sponsored by the non-profit Freedom for Italy organization and the Italian organization Assoknowledge to promote the memory of the Liberation of Italy by Allied forces in World War II. This groundbreaking event to commemorate the 80th anniversary was a big success, with 40 speakers and more than 150 delegates attending over the two days, providing valuable historical content and perspectives.