The profile follows Cavagnari from entering the naval academy at thirteen through a Far East cruise in the armoured cruiser Vettor Pisani and an appointment as adjutant to Navy Minister Carlo Mirabello. His promotion record is treated cautiously, since political connections alone do not prove exceptional talent. During the First World War, Cavagnari moved from a coastal torpedo boat to the Sixth Torpedo Boat Flotilla, served on the Venice naval-station staff, and commanded the destroyer Felice Orsini. He received three Silver Medals of Military Valour. Even so, his overall advancement did not look like that of an obvious future service chief.
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A slow rise through the Regia Marina
Cavagnari entered the naval academy unusually young, served abroad and in a ministerial post, but advanced more slowly than a future service chief might be expected to do.