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First Name: Angelo

Last Name: Vaccaro

Birthplace: New Rochelle, NY, USA

Gender: Male

Branch: Army (1784 - present)



Middle Name: Joseph



Date of Birth: 08 February 1983

Date of Death: 02 October 2006

Rank: Corporal

Years Served: 2004 - 2006
Angelo Joseph Vaccaro
'Moose'

   
Engagements:
•  Afghanistan War (Operation Enduring Freedom) (2001 - present)

Biography:

Angelo Joseph Vaccaro
Corporal, U.S. Army

Angelo Joseph Vaccaro was born on 8 February 1983 in New Rochelle, NY, the youngest son of Nelson "Ray" and Linda Vaccaro. His family moved to Deltona, FL, in 1990 from The Bronx, NY. In the Bronx and again in Florida, Angelo ran with a rough crowd, although he never got into serious trouble. He began deciding, on his own, that he wanted to change and improve his life.

At Deltona High School, Angelo, affectionately named "Moose" by his parents, was a practical joker who liked to make people smile and laugh. He also enjoyed rollerblading. He was a 2001 graduate of Deltona High School. Angelo worked at Walmart as a stock man but wanted something better and thought that 'something' might be serving as a medic in the U.S. Army. His mother, Linda, was a nurse and he was interested in what she did.

Angelo enlisted in the U.S. Army in March 2004. His Basic Training at Fort Jackson, SC, was followed by Advanced Individual Training as a medic, which took place at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, TX. His first permanent assignment was to the unit he proudly served until his death; the 10th Mountain Division based at Fort Drum, NY.

Afghanistan

CPL Vaccaro had a history of assisting and rescuing soldiers under heavy enemy fire. On 5 July 2006, he rescued three wounded soldiers by carrying them - one by one - to safety down from a 7,500-foot ridgeline, all under enemy fire. On 8 September 2006, Angelo earned one of two Purple Hearts and one of two Silver Stars for rescuing a seriously injured soldier despite his own shrapnel injury. He shielded the wounded soldier with his own body and returned covering fire at the enemy. Angelo then treated this soldier and others for their injuries.

On 2 October 2006, Corporal Angleo Vaccaro was serving as a Senior Line Medic with Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, at the Korengal Outpost in Afghanistan. Upon learning that two soldiers from his platoon had been injured in a firefight, Vaccaro set out to help the men. Despite being told to go back to his quarters, Angelo volunteered for the mission, knowing he would come under heavy attack. As he tried to rescue wounded soldiers, a rocket-propelled grenade struck his vehicle, killing him instantly.

CPL Angelo Vaccaro's Plans for an Army Career

Angelo's family said his plans were to reenlist in the Army to continue his medical training. His short-term career goal was to attend the Practical Nurse Course and his future aspirations involved becoming an Army Physician's Assistant.

Shortly before his death, Angelo had been advised by the Army that he would be receiving a promotion to Sergeant.

Medals, Awards & Badges

Silver Star Medal with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster *
Bronze Star Medal
Purple Heart with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Army Achievement Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal
Army Overseas Service Ribbon
Combat Medic Badge

* Corporal Vaccaro was the first member of the U.S. military in the Global War on Terrorism to receive two Silver Star Medals.

Silver Star Medal Citation (1st Award)

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Corporal Angelo J. Vaccaro, United States Army, for gallantry in action on 5 July 2006, while under intense hostile fire as a Combat Medic for 3d Platoon, Attack Company, 1st Battalion, 32d Infantry, TASK FORCE CHOSIN, 10th Mountain Division, during combat operations in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, in the Watapor Valley, Afghanistan. Corporal Vaccaro's courage and dedication to duty in response to the call of "Medic" were paramount as he ran into a hail of heavy enemy machine gun fire to save the lives of two wounded Soldiers. Corporal Vaccaro's selfless and heroic actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service, reflecting great credit upon himself, the Chosin Battalion, the Spartan Brigade, Combined Joint Task Force 76, the United States Central Command, and the United States Army.

Silver Star Medal Citation (2nd Award)

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Corporal Angelo J. Vaccaro, United States Army, for gallantry in action on 8 September 2006, while under intense hostile fire as a Rifle Platoon Medic, 3d Platoon, Company A, 1st Battalion, 32d Infantry, Task Force Chosin, 10th Mountain Division, during combat operations in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM in Afghanistan. Corporal Vaccaro's courage and dedication to duty were paramount as he ran into a hail of enemy gunfire in order to save the lives of his fallen comrades. Corporal Vaccaro's selfless and heroic actions epitomize the performance of a combat medic and are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service, reflecting great credit upon himself, the Chosin Battalion, the Spartan Brigade, Combined Joint Task Force 76, the United States Central Command, and the United States Army. NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD: Corporal Angelo Vaccaro was assigned to Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 32d Infantry Regiment, 3d Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division as a Senior Line Combat Medic at the time of his death in Afghanistan. A native of New York, he completed his basic training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina and was promptly assigned as 3d Platoon's Line Medic upon graduation. During his tour of duty in Afghanistan, Corporal Vaccaro is attributed to participating in more than 40 mounted patrols and 100 dismounted patrols in support of ongoing Global War on Terrorism operational missions. On 8 September 2006, while under intense hostile fire as a Rifle Platoon Medic, 3d Platoon, Company A, 1st Battalion, 32d Infantry, Task Force Chosin, his gallant efforts to sacrifice himself to ensure the protection and safety of his brothers in battle represents the premier example of a Soldier's commitment to "duty, honor and country." His courage and dedication to duty were paramount as he ran into a hail of enemy gunfire in order to save the lives of his fallen comrades. Corporal Vaccaro's selfless and heroic actions epitomize the performance of a combat medic and were in keeping with the finest traditions of military service, reflecting great credit on himself, the Chosin Battalion, the Spartan Brigade, Combined Joint Task Force 76, the United States Central Command, and the United States Army. Corporal Vaccaro was rightfully awarded the Silver Star (1OLC) posthumously for his sacrifice on 8 September 2006.

Honors

The CPL Angelo J. Vaccaro Award is now awarded to top Army medics completing training. The U.S. Army Medical Department release about the award stated of Angelo: "He epitomized the long line of combat medics who came before him and the long line of medics who will continue to serve as long as we call on our soldiers to fight our wars. He is representative of all the soldiers and service members who are serving today."

In August 2007, Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC, renamed a building "Vaccaro Hall." A plaque on the wall commemorates Angelo. Vaccaro Hall serves as headquarters for the Warrior Transition Brigade, a center aimed at improving the Army outpatient-care system.

At Fort Sam Houston, TX, Angelo is honored in the Medical Museum, and the post boasts a CPL Angelo Vaccaro Unit.

At Fort Drum, NY, home base of the 10th Mountain Division, the Division dedicated its Medical Simulation Training Center to CPL Vaccaro and another valiant medic who distinguished himself during World War II, Horace A. Bridgewater. The center became known as the Bridgewater-Vaccaro Center and boasts large portraits of both men.

The Vaccaro Family established a nursing scholarship in Angelo's honor with the Daytona Beach Community College.

Burial

Corporal Angelo Joseph Vaccaro is buried at Deltona Memorial Gardens in Orange City, Volusia County, FL.

He was survived by his parents Nelson "Ray" and Linda Vaccaro; his wife, Dana; brothers Vincent and Ray; and sister, Christina. [His father died on 19 May 2013 and is buried in the cemetery with his son.]



Honoree ID: 8565   Created by: MHOH

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