You’re right. Italy has produced some superb scientists. As has Germany. Thank God most of them came to the U.S. before WWII.
Now that you mention Germany, a man named Werner Von Braun defected from Germany to the US in the 1950’s. If memory serves he designed the V2 rocket, a major accomplishment at the time.
Per some documentaries I’ve seen, if is wasn’t for Von Braun their would not have been a Saturn V rocket (specifically the needed F1 engine) and no landing men on the moon. At least not by 1969.
I also understand he had to go up to MIT himself and light a fire under some people to get working on whatever task they were assigned to help with project Apollo. He often complained that America’s work ethic was terrible.
Imagine what he would say today!