My Life Story of a Grateful Immigrant Who Lived the American Dream

By Olimpio Guidi

Despite growing up amid the horrors of World War II as a boy in the Republic of San Marino, Olimpio Guidi considers himself lucky.

 

He grew up with great parents, great siblings, and great friends and neighbors. Although everyone he knew was poor, they all stuck together—a lesson he’d carry with him throughout his life in the U.S. Navy and over a career spanning almost forty years as a civil servant.

 

In recalling his life story, he shares an unlikely tale of survival that included immigrating with his family to his adopted home country of the United States of America.

 

He shares his appreciation for everyone who has assisted him on his journey, including U.S. Navy Cmdr. Toby Haynsworth, who was instrumental in helping him become a lifelong civil servant, culminating with an assignment to the U.S. Embassy in Rome, Italy, where he represented the U.S. Department of Defense.

 

Join the author as he celebrates his love of family, his passion for service, and his love for his adopted country.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Archway Publishing
• Release date: Apr 4, 2019
• ISBN: 9781480875081

Olimpio Guidi

Olimpio Guidi, was born in the oldest and smallest country in the world, the Republic of San Marino, located within the country of Italy. In 1952 he immigrated, with his family, to the US and moved to Detroit, Mich. After learning the English language and attending high school, at age 18 he joined the US Navy and became a proud Hospital Corpsman (Medic). He was initially stationed at the US Naval Hospital in Newport, RI, followed by a one year course in X Ray Technology at the US Navy Hospital in Chelsea, Mass. In 1963 he received orders to the US Naval Air Facility in Sigonella, Sicily, X-Ray department. Between two tours of duty at Sigonella, he spent 10 months in Key West, FL on board the submarine Tender, USS Bushnell (AS15). In 1969 he took an honorable discharge and accepted a civilian position at the US Naval Air Facility at Sigonella. It was, to say the least, challenging immigrating to a country where he did not know or speak the English language or be familiar with the customs.

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ISBN: 978-1-4808-7509-8 (sc)

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Library of Congress Control Number: 2019903439

Archway Publishing rev. date: 02/13/2020

Each night, I read letters and emails from people like you, and hearing about such a broad range of experiences gives me insight into what’s happening outside of Washington. These messages remind me of why I ran for [the office of President of the United States], and they keep me going as I work to make America’s promise real for all our people.

Former President Barack Obama

In 2000, I met a man by the name of Olimpio Guidi, who was part of our United States European Command (EUCOM) team working in support of Security Assistance efforts in Italy. We were about to undertake a week-long trip throughout Italy with the purpose of providing me (the new Deputy Director for Logistics and Security Assistance): an orientation of how our organization operated as part of the Country Team in the U.S. Embassy in Rome; an opportunity to meet senior Italian Military Officials and a chance to see how things worked on the ground. I must admit that, at first, I was a little confused as to who he was and what he was all about. As we walked the streets of Rome, homeless people would come up and hug and kiss him. At the U.S. Embassy, where he worked as part of the Country Team, the U.S. Ambassador at the time insisted that he call him by his first name. Everywhere we traveled throughout Italy, everyone knew Olimpio Guidi. Part way through our journey, I came to an understanding of who he was and what he was all about. It turns out that the homeless loved him because he would provide them with food and clothing while treating them with dignity and respect. The U.S. Ambassador and his staff appreciated this patriot because of his willingness to go well beyond what was expected in support of the Embassy’s efforts even though he did not work directly for the Department of State. His reputation at EUCOM and everywhere he served throughout his lengthy career with the U.S. Government was that of being one of the finest professionals totally dedicated to ensuring mission success. One of our final stops during my orientation was his boyhood home of San Marino. I learned of what this man went through at a very early age during World War Two that assuredly set him on the path of being the inspiration he is today. An amazing story; an amazing man. I am fortunate because I get to call him friend.

Michael J Terry

Major General, U.S. Army (Retired)

The clip regarding my work with George McGovern is accurate. He was a great man, and we had a close friendship through the years. I enjoyed your book excerpt. It was a nice trip down memory lane.

Sen. Bob Dole

My name is Giampiero Ristori, an Italian Air Force General who was in charge of the Italian Defense Staff, Operations Department when Olimpio Guidi was working at the US Embassy in Rome as the Liaison officer for the US Department of Defense. Although the issues we faced were many and complex, we managed to resolve most problems with mutual respect and cooperation. Olimpio and I had a very productive professional relationship that soon developed into a sincere personal friendship. I have absolute respect, both professional and personal, for this unique individual who was very respectful of the country where he served.

Gian Ristori, former Italian Air Force General

Mr. Olimpio Guidi is one of those rare patriots that few in life have a chance to meet. But, I did and I am pleased to called Olimpio my friend.

As a former officer in the US Army Office of Congressional Liaison, Olimpio and I had the chance to meet and work together during several high level US Senate visits to Rome during celebrations in both Paris and Rome. Olimpio working tirelessly on a myriad of simultaneous issues was instrumental in the overall success of those key governmental meetings for US Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole and other influential US Senators accompanying him. 

Later, Olimpio played a similar role for US Senators Jeff Sessions, John Glenn, Daniel Inouye, and former Maryland Senator (now retired) Barbara Mikulski. In each and every case, Mr. Guidi’s command of languages, his professional mastery of the issues and his devotion to the tasks assigned brought him great great and numerous allocades from those members of the US Congress he so aptly served.

A, Galloway II, Consultant

I worked with Olimpio while assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Rome. He served his country well and did much to foster good relationships with our allies. He brought his training and skill as a Navy Petty Officer to bear on contemporary diplomatic issues. He earned our thanks and praise everyday in my opinion.

C. Philip Nichols, Jr., CAPT, JAGC, USNR (Ret)

A story of perseverance, tragedy, love and compassion.  Olimpio Guidi details his life as only he can; honestly, simply, thankfully, and with a heartfelt appreciation for life’s ebbs and flows. A good read.

C.V. Christianson, retired Army LtGen

During my 20 years of service on the House Armed Services Committee, I and my colleagues in the House and Senate relied on Olimpio for advice and guidance on military and political matters relating to US military bases in Italy. Olimpio’s expertise on US-Italian military and civil relations was deep, nuanced and always on point. He played a key role in maintaining strong and positive relations between our countries, and advised senior US leaders on critical issues affecting our Naval bases, Air Force and Army garrisons throughout Italy. 

Aside from his professional excellence, Olimpio always treated everyone he met with compassion, respect and consummate diplomatic skill. His love for his native Italia and San Marino was infectious and often transformed official military and diplomatic visits into celebrations of culture, history and a deeply shared heritage between Italy and America. More than that, Olimpio became a dear friend to me, and I am eternally grateful for his kindness, loyalty and friendship.

Grazie di tutto, amico mio!

Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez,

Orange, California"

During the years of 1995 through 1999 I was the Chief of the Office of Defense Cooperation for the Republic of Italy. I was honored to have as my most valued assistant Mr. Olimpio Guidi.  Olimpio is the type of a subordinate all leaders hope to serve with.  He was 100 Percent committed to mission accomplishment, especially when he was representing the United States of America.  His unequaled expertise in the working relationship with our Italian Allies achieved numerous spectacular accomplishments that greatly improved both the quality of life and operational effectiveness of the American Forces operating in or passing through Italy. His advice and counsel was frequently sought by both senior US and Italian military personnel as well senior officials within the Diplomatic Corps in the American Embassy in Rome.

Donald R. Kirk

I had the pleasure of working with Olimpio Guidi during my tenure as Commanding Officer of Naval Air Station Sigonella, Sicily. Olimpio was a vital connection between the Defense Attaché Office and NAS Sigonella while performing his duties representing the US Department of Defense at the US Embassy in Rome, Italy. As the senior American government official in Sicily, I relied constantly on Olimpio’s exceptional political insight, knowledge of Italian law, administrative processes and his unique understanding of the idiosyncrasies of each culture to support my interactions with the Italian government. This was during the start of the Global War on Terror when there was an urgent need to build strong trusting relationships and conduct high tempo military operations while simultaneously containing the collective anxiety which accompanied this highly stressful time in history between coalition partners; Olimpio’s courage, commitment and poise contributed significantly to ensuring our success. His counsel on ensuring compliance with Italian laws and social customs of the Italian people were particularly crucial to operations and fostered highly supportive relations between our two cultures.  He was an integral part of the naval air station team, working between the Italian base commander, the 41st STORMO wing and our US tenant commands to ensure operational mission activities critical to the national security of both nations were executed safely and effectively.

Tim Davison

Captain, US Navy (Retired)

Former Commanding Officer,

Naval Air Station Sigonella 2001-2004

It was a distinct pleasure serving with you during my time as United States Ambassador to Italy (2001-2005). Your 14 years of service to the American Career Civil Service representing the U.S. Department of Defense in Italy was invaluable to our U.S. team of diplomats.

IT was quite unique that you were born in San Marino and immigrated with your parents to the United States and then returned to the area where you were born to represent so well your adopted country.

Thank you for your outstanding service to our nation.

Mel Sembler, United States Ambassador (ret.)

In 1994 I was mayor of Castel d’Aiano, a small town in northern Italy south of Bologna. On the occasion of Bob Dole’s visit, I had the pleasure and the honor of meeting Olimpio Guidi who had organized the visit on behalf of the U.S. Embassy. In Rome. The return of the senator to the places where he had fought and was seriously wounded during the Second World War was welcomed by our small town. Upon meeting Olimpio, I immediately had the impression of meeting someone special, of great heart and humanity. The visit of Bob Dole and other veterans was successful and a memorable event for our town. Following the visit, Olimpio was the intermediary between us and the Senator in the numerous contacts that we have kept alive and solid. The friendship with Olimpio has been strengthened in all these years with mutual exchange of esteem and affection that will last forever.

Giorgio Chiari, Mayor of Castel d’Aiano

CONTENTS

Preface

Chapter 1     The Beginning

Chapter 2     Emigrating

Chapter 3     Becoming a US Citizen and Serving My Adopted Country in the US Navy

Chapter 4     The Family Grows, Career Changes

Chapter 5     Reporting for Duty in Italy and Returning to San Marino

Chapter 6     Family Tragedy

Chapter 7     Returning to the United States

Chapter 8     Returning to Sicily

Chapter 9     The Family Grows

Chapter 10   Toby Arrives

Chapter 11   Return to the United States

Chapter 12   Going to DC

Chapter 13   Returning to Italy

Chapter 14   NASAP

Chapter 15   Going with the US Army: Camp Darby

Chapter 16   Going to Vicenza

Chapter 17   Going to the US Embassy in Rome and Meeting Three World War II Heroes from the Greatest Generation

Chapter 18   The Death of a Great Pope

Chapter 19   My Many Contacts and Last Days at the Embassy

Chapter 20   Celebrating San Marino-USA Friendship

Chapter 21   Jackie’s Struggle and Her Stay in San Marino and Italy

Chapter 22   My Life after Retirement

Chapter 23   Following My Return from Italy with Jackie

Chapter 24   My Near-Death Experience

Chapter 25   Return to San Marino and Italy

Chapter 26   Life after My Surgery and Recovery

Chapter 27   Jackie’s Final Struggle

Chapter 28   Burial in San Marino

Chapter 29   Inauguration of the Captains Regent

Appendix 1: My Family

Appendix 2: Tribute to Jacquie DeBoni: Trendsetter, Mother, Daughter, Sister, and Wife

Appendix 3: The Gothic Line Offensive: A Scheduled Failure

Appendix 4: How I Remember My Wonderful Daughter Jackie

Appendix 5: In Remembrance of a Great Friend and Mentor

PREFACE

M y life began in extreme poverty, and I lived the horrors of war at a young age. In spite of the difficulties I experienced as a youngster, I considered—and still consider—myself fortunate for the wonderful parents I had. I am also grateful for my brother and sister and all the other relatives, great friends, and neighbors who, although all poor, stuck together. I am especially grateful for the neighborhood women who breastfed me from the age of three months, when my mom couldn’t, until I could eat solid foods. It was 1941, when formulas were not available.

I am grateful to have had the opportunity to serve my adoptive country for forty-eight years, starting with ten years on active US Navy duty and ending with fourteen years representing the US Department of Defense at the US embassy in Rome, Italy. I’m proud of that important assignment working with senior Italian military and government officials. I am grateful for all those who served as models, assisted me, and played an important role in what I consider a successful career. Many helped me with my career, and I recognize and appreciated the breaks I received, which are not always available to everyone, especially minorities and women, particularly women of color.

I am also grateful for all the individuals who worked for me over the years; they were instrumental in whatever success I had, and I could not have done it without them. Many people had an impact on my professional life; they are too numerous to name, but one who had the most impact on my professional and personal lives was a US Navy commander, Toby Haynsworth. He was instrumental in my becoming a career civil servant with job security and benefits. He counseled me on the importance of an education, and with his encouragement and push, I attended college after work and received a BS degree at age thirty-eight—not bad for an immigrant and high school dropout. He developed in me the additional confidence in my capabilities that I had not fully recognized.

I also remember with fondness Thomas Foglietta, ambassador to Italy and former congressman from Philadelphia, whom I admired for his simple manner, compassion, sincere friendship, and decency on a human level. Thanks to Tom, I met and worked with hundreds of children in institutes who wanted nothing more than to be recognized for what they were: deserving human beings. I learned so much from those wonderful children. I had the pleasure of meeting not only those kids but also the beautiful nuns who cared for them. I also learned a lot from the homeless folks who befriended me in the streets of Rome; they taught me some valuable life lessons.

I learned about courage from one of my daughters, who fought a valiant battle against unforgiving multiple sclerosis for more than twenty years, a battle she finally lost in July 2017.

I also had the honor and pleasure of meeting and working with senators Bob Dole, Daniel Inouye, and George McGovern, three war heroes from the Greatest Generation. They provided me with firsthand accounts of World War II. In writing this story, I had the opportunity to do some research on the war, especially on the Gothic Line, and met people who lived and live on and around what was the Gothic Line during and after the war.

Over the years, I had the honor and privilege of meeting hundreds of World War II veterans when visiting towns where battles were fought. When I worked at the US embassy in Rome, Italy, I visited and took part in celebrations at US war cemeteries in Italy.

I am grateful for my parents, who made many sacrifices in immigrating to another country where they could not speak the language or understand the culture. They did it to give my siblings and me the opportunity for a better life. To support their family, they accepted all the work they were offered and always did their best without complaint. They loved and took good care of me and my siblings; we were the priority in their lives. They were proud of passing the citizenship test and becoming naturalized US citizens.

Finally, I’m grateful for my patient and great wife, the three wonderful daughters we were blessed to have, and the grandchildren and great-grandchildren our daughters provided us. Although I experienced the tragedies of losing an infant son and then a daughter, I consider myself a lucky person for having received so many blessings. I know it, and I thank God for these undeserved blessings.

CHAPTER 1

The Beginning

I was born in the Republic of San Marino on June 14, 1941, two years before the beginning of World War II’s Italian Campaign. I was born at home and delivered by a midwife, as were my sister fourteen months later and my brother seven years later.

San Marino is an ancient, fearlessly independent, and proud little country that counts Abraham Lincoln as an honorary citizen. Hundreds of letters congratulating Abraham Lincoln on his inauguration poured in from all over the world in the spring of 1861, but one in particular caught the eye of Secretary of State William Henry Seward. It was from the oldest surviving republic in the world, the Most Serene Republic of San Marino, addressed to the new president of a much younger and troubled republic facing secession and civil war. Seward brought it to Lincoln’s attention. Though it took several weeks for him to respond, Lincoln was greatly moved by the letter and responded with these words: Although your dominion is small, your state is nevertheless one of the most honored in all history. Shortly thereafter, he was made an honorary citizen. On September 3, 1937, on the saint’s feast day, a bust of Lincoln was put in an honored place in the government building.

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The Republic of San Marino is sandwiched between the Italian regions of Marche and Emilia-Romagna.

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Location of San Marino on the Italian peninsula

The dialect, the romagnolo dialect, is similar to the one spoken in Emilia-Romagna, and many Sammarinesi consider themselves close to that region, including having a more similar taste in food—such as tortellini—than any other Italian region. The Sammarinesi are proud to be part of this small, democratic, representative republic, which has always respected and supported democracy and the rule of law. Many feel lucky and proud to be Sammarinesi, including me.

Although its people are proud of their unique country, San Marino’s territory of only twenty-five square miles is mountainous and landlocked, surrounded by Italy. Italian politics greatly affect San Marino, although they hate to admit it, as I will discuss below.

The celebration in honor of the founder of the republic, Marinus, a Christian refugee escaping religious prosecution in his home country of Dalmatia, Croatia, takes place every year on September 3. Inasmuch as it honors its founder, a saint of the Catholic church, many events have a religious as well as historical flavor. Numerous locals, including the captain’s regent (the heads of state) and other politicians, as well as some visitors, begin the day at an elaborate religious ceremony held in the main cathedral. All branches of the military and police units, most in traditional uniforms, take part in the parade and other ceremonies, headed by the country’s band. During the day, organized events, such as a crossbow contest, take place in various locations in the city center. Participants in the crossbow contest and those taking part in other events dress in traditional historical outfits.

There are various entertainment events throughout the day, ending with the drawing to determine the winners of the lotteria, a traditional lottery going back many years. Beautiful displays of fireworks, shot from one of the towers so they can be seen throughout most of the country, conclude the festivities. For those who like fireworks, they are spectacular.

The small Republic of San Marino has not one but two heads of state—the captains regent (capitani regenti)—as I’ll discuss later in recalling the 1957 constitutional crisis, an unusual event in San Marino history. The two regents serve together with equal power for six months and are inaugurated on April 1 and October 1 of each