New Jersey Residents Receive State’s Top Military Award at Westfield
WESTFIELD, NJ- October 17, at 11:00 a.m. Assemblyman
Joseph Suliga will co-host with the New Jersey Department of Military and
Veterans Affairs an award ceremony at the Westfield Armory to present the
New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal, the state’s top military award,
to 200 Union and Middlesex County residents who are combat veterans of
World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Lebanon, Grenada, Panama, Persian
Gulf War, Somalia or Bosnia. The Westfield National Guard Armory is located
at 500 Rahway Avenue, Westfield.
In order to be eligible for the Distinguished Service
Medal, recipients must currently be a resident of New Jersey and also have
been a resident of the state at the time they entered into military service;
have been honorably discharged; and, must have received at least the equivalent
of the Air Medal, Purple Heart, or Bronze Star or proof of having served
in combat while on active duty during wartime. Those recipients whose service
was recognized by the award of the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Air Medal
or equivalent medal will receive a NJ Distinguished Service Medal with
an oak leaf cluster. The DSM can be awarded posthumously to the next-of-kin
of a veteran who meets the criteria.
The NJ DSM was originally issued in 1858 for those
who had distinguished themselves in the New Jersey Militia, but was infrequently
used until re-authorized by Governor Kean in 1988.
After the Spanish American War, the Mexican Border Expedition
and again after World War I, the State of New Jersey minted special medals
for returning NJ veterans to honor their service. After WWII, Korea, Vietnam
and subsequent combat actions no such medal was available. The State of
New Jersey was looking for an appropriate way to honor all of these returning
combat veterans and acknowledge the debt the state owed them for their
service. The NJ DSM was then authorized for that purpose. It is New Jersey’s
highest military award.
Since its re-authorization in 1988, about 8000 medals
have been awarded to combat veterans from New Jersey.
“The New Jersey veterans receiving the New Jersey
Distinguished Service Medal are a credit to our state and our nation.
Their sacrifice and their bravery in combat is truly deserving of New Jersey’s
highest military award. The award also serves as a great way to thank
our veterans for their extraordinary achievements while our nation has
been at war,” said Acting Governor Donald T. DiFrancesco.
In order to be eligible for the Distinguished Service
Medal you must meet all the following criteria:
~ currently be a resident of New Jersey
~ have been a resident of New Jersey at the time
you entered into military service
~ have been honorably discharged
~ have proof of having served in combat while on active
duty during wartime.
Those recipients whose service was recognized by the award
of the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Air Medal or equivalent medal will receive
a NJ Distinguished Service Medal with an oak leaf cluster.
The DSM can be awarded posthumously to the next-of-kin
of a veteran who meets the criteria.
Anyone interested in applying for the New Jersey Distinguished
Service Medal should send a written request together with copies of all
pertinent information, discharge document (e.g. DD 214 ), award citation,
honorable discharge, etc. to:
NJDMAVA
ATTN: CIO-GS-PA
P.O. Box 340
Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0340
Be sure to include full name, home address and daytime
telephone number.
LEGEND: (WAR ) I=World War I, II=World
War II, K=Korea, V=Vietnam, DS=Desert Storm,
NEW JERSEY DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL
TEANECK INTERACTIVE COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER (ARMORY)
WESTFIELD, NEW JERSEY
OCTOBER 17, 2001
October 17, 2001 11:00
a.m. ceremony
|
Rank |
First |
MI |
Last |
Posthumou |
Branch |
City |
Cluster |
|
Airman |
Joseph |
R. |
Africano |
|
Navy |
Union |
|
|
Petty Officer Second Class |
Victor |
A. |
Altieri |
Posthumous |
Navy |
North Plainfield |
|
|
First Lieutenant |
Donald |
H. |
Ayers |
|
Army Air Corps |
Berkeley Heights |
cluster |
|
Airman First Class |
Louis |
J. |
Balcer |
|
Air Force |
Elizabeth |
|
|
Specialist Four |
Charles |
D. |
Beifus |
|
Army |
Hillside |
|
|
Petty Officer Second Class |
Walter |
L. |
Berg |
|
Navy |
Winfield |
|
|
Technician Fourth Grade |
Jacob |
|
Bergman |
|
Army |
Scotch Plains |
cluster |
|
Specialist Five |
James |
C. |
Brower |
|
Army |
Cranford |
|
|
Specialist Four |
Robert |
M. |
Brown |
|
Army |
Linden |
|
|
Sergeant |
Wesley |
C. |
Burns |
|
Marine Corps |
Plainfield |
|
|
Technician Fifth Grade |
Anthony |
J. |
Cavanna |
|
Army |
Roselle |
cluster |
|
Private |
Anthony |
J. |
Cerchio |
Posthumous |
Army |
Cranford |
|
|
Petty Officer First Class |
Frank |
T. |
Chupko |
|
Navy |
Scotch Plains |
|
|
Petty Officer First Class |
Frank |
T. |
Chupko |
|
Navy |
Scotch Plains |
|
|
Petty Officer Third Class |
George |
R |
Clark |
|
Navy |
Union |
|
|
First Lieutenant |
Gustave |
|
Cohen |
|
Army |
Summit |
cluster |
|
Sergeant |
Salvi |
P. |
Consales |
|
Army |
Springfield |
|
|
Petty Officer Third Class |
Bernard |
|
Coopersmith |
|
Navy |
Union |
|
|
Petty Officer First Class |
Thomas |
V. |
Cortese |
|
Navy |
Berkeley Heights |
|
|
Private First Class |
Anthony |
J. |
Cosimano |
|
Army |
Berkeley Hts. |
cluster |
|
Technician Fourth Grade |
Wilbur |
R. |
Cox |
|
Army |
Westfield |
|
|
Sergeant |
Nicholas |
J. |
Cozzi |
|
Army |
Rahway |
|
|
Technician Fifth Grade |
Emil |
|
D'Adamo |
|
Army |
Linden |
cluster |
|
Technical Sergeant |
Orazio |
|
D'Arcangelo |
|
Army |
Cranford |
|
|
Private First Class |
Nunzio |
J. |
Dagostino |
|
Army |
Berkeley Heights |
cluster |
|
Sergeant |
Roy |
G. |
Daniels |
|
Army |
Mountainside |
cluster |
|
Technician Fourth Grade |
Joe |
R. |
De Lillo |
|
Army |
Roselle Park |
|
|
Private First Class |
Frank |
M. |
De Luca |
|
Army |
Clark |
cluster |
|
Petty Officer Second Class |
Ernest |
E. |
De Luca |
|
Navy |
Berkeley Hts. |
|
|
Petty Officer Second Class |
Nicholas |
|
Deduck |
|
Navy |
Rahway |
|
|
Sergeant |
David |
|
Dell-Santi |
|
Army |
Kenilworth |
|
|
Technician Fifth Grade |
John |
|
Destefano |
|
Army |
Rahway |
cluster |
|
Private First Class |
Joseph |
C. |
Di Prospero |
|
Army |
Westfield |
cluster |
|
Sergeant |
Anthony |
|
Dias |
|
Marine Corps |
Linden |
cluster |
|
Private First Class |
Paul |
T. |
Dinizo |
|
Army |
Scotch Plains |
cluster |
|
Specialist Four |
George |
|
Donnadio |
|
Army |
New Providence |
|
|
Sergeant |
Frank |
E. |
Duffy |
|
Army |
Rahway |
|
|
Private First Class |
Francis |
E |
Dugan |
|
Army |
Winfield Park |
cluster |
|
Petty Officer First Class |
Charles |
L. |
Fambach |
|
Navy |
Linden |
|
|
Sergeant |
AQ |
|
Farra'd |
|
Army |
Rahway |
cluster |
|
Lance Corporal |
John |
J. |
Farrington |
|
Marine Corps |
Clark |
|
|
Lance Corporal |
John |
J |
Farrington |
|
Marine Corps |
Clark |
|
|
Petty Officer Third Class |
George |
S. |
Faxon |
Posthumous |
Navy |
Union |
|
|
Technical Sergeant |
Joseph |
G |
Federico |
|
Air Force |
Berkeley Heights |
|
|
Petty Officer Third Class |
James |
|
Fernicola |
|
Navy |
Hillside |
|
|
Petty Officer Third Class |
Pasquale |
|
Fernicola |
|
Navy |
Mountainside |
|
|
Petty Officer Second Class |
John |
J. |
Flynn |
|
Navy |
Garwood |
|
|
Staff Sergeant |
Alfred |
A |
Fontana |
|
Army |
Scotch Plains |
cluster |
|
Sergeant |
Hans |
D |
Forssen |
Posthumous |
Marine Corps |
Plainfield |
|
|
Corporal |
John |
|
Furze |
|
Army |
Kenilworth |
cluster |
|
Petty Officer First Class |
Frank |
J. |
Gall |
|
Navy |
Cranford |
|
|
Corporal |
Frank |
J. |
Gallo |
|
Army |
Linden |
|
|
Corporal |
George |
E. |
Germinder |
|
Army |
Fanwood |
|
|
Private First Class |
Thomas |
V. |
Giaimo |
|
Army |
Springfield |
cluster |
|
Petty Officer Third Class |
Anthony |
V. |
Giglio |
|
Navy |
Clark |
|
|
Petty Officer First Class |
Michael |
|
Girgus |
|
Navy |
Clark |
|
|
Private First Class |
Irving |
R. |
Goldstein |
|
Army |
Springfield |
|
|
Petty Officer Second Class |
George |
D. |
Groh |
|
Navy |
Hillside |
|
|
Technician Third Grade |
Chester |
W. |
Grynis |
|
Army |
Elizabeth |
|
|
Technician Fifth Grade |
Raymond |
R |
Hamilton |
|
Army |
Plainfield |
|
|
Captain |
Donald |
J |
Hartman |
|
Air Force |
Springfield |
|
|
Captain |
Andrew |
|
Haspel |
|
Army Air Corps |
Berkeley Hts. |
cluster |
|
Petty Officer Second Class |
Donald |
C. |
Heimall |
|
Navy |
Union |
|
|
Technician Fifth Grade |
Fred |
R. |
Hermanns |
|
Army |
Plainfield |
|
|
Airman First Class |
Edward |
G. |
Higgins |
|
Air Force |
Rahway |
cluster |
|
Technician Fourth Grade |
Martin |
H. |
Hochadel |
|
Army |
Moutainside |
|
|
First Lieutenant |
Albert |
J. |
Hoffacker |
|
Army Air Corps |
Cranford |
cluster |
|
Sergeant First Class |
Henry |
F |
Hoffman |
|
Army |
Scotch Plains |
|
|
Staff Sergeant |
Joseph |
R. |
Horling |
|
Army |
Rahway |
|
|
Staff Sergeant |
Anthony |
|
Horling |
|
Army |
Rahway |
|
|
Private First Class |
Frederick |
|
Hornlein |
|
Army |
Union |
|
|
Staff Sergeant |
Martin |
N. |
Hrynick |
|
Army |
Linden |
cluster |
|
Technical Sergeant |
Richard |
R |
Infantino |
|
Army |
Fanwood |
cluster |
|
Specialist Four |
James |
J. |
Jackson |
|
Army |
Rahway |
cluster |
|
Private |
James |
E. |
Jenkins |
|
Army |
Plainfield |
|
|
Private |
James |
E |
Jenkins |
|
Army |
Plainfield |
|
|
Petty Officer First Class |
John |
D |
Kaelin |
|
Navy |
Linden |
|
|
Technician Fifth Grade |
Solomon |
|
Kaplan |
|
Army |
Clark |
|
|
Sergeant |
Harold |
|
Kessler |
|
Army |
Clark |
cluster |
|
Sergeant |
Harold |
C. |
Kessler |
|
Army |
Clark |
cluster |
|
Sergeant |
Ira |
W. |
Kettle |
|
Army |
Red Bank |
cluster |
|
Petty Officer Second Class |
Edward |
J. |
Kologi |
|
Navy |
Linden |
|
|
Private First Class |
James |
F. |
Krause |
|
Army |
Plainfield |
cluster |
|
Staff Sergeant |
William |
L. |
Kukis |
|
Army |
Berkeley Heights |
cluster |
|
Technical Sergeant |
Elmer |
J. |
Kunnas |
|
Army |
North Plainfield |
|
|
Specialist Four |
Theodore |
L. |
Kus |
|
Army |
Roselle Park |
cluster |
|
Private First Class |
Joseph |
S |
Kwiatek |
|
Army |
Rahway |
cluster |
|
Private First Class |
Walter |
J. |
Labaj |
|
Army |
Cranford |
cluster |
|
Technical Sergeant |
Phillip |
M. |
LaPoint |
|
Marine Corps |
Union |
|
|
Petty Officer First Class |
Edward |
|
Latawiec |
|
Navy |
Linden |
|
|
Staff Sergeant |
Nathan |
|
Lava |
|
Army |
Westfield |
|
|
Staff Sergeant |
Jesse |
W. |
Ledford |
|
Army |
Clark |
cluster |
|
Petty Officer Third Class |
Louis |
C. |
Lembo |
|
Navy |
Union |
|
|
Petty Officer Second Class |
Ernest |
E. |
Liquori |
|
Navy |
Springfield |
|
|
Petty Officer Third Class |
Carl |
|
Livecchia |
|
Navy |
Rahway |
|
|
Petty Officer Third Class |
Carl |
|
Livecchia |
|
Navy |
Rahway |
|
|
Private First Class |
Edward |
R. |
Loeffler |
|
Army |
Summit |
cluster |
|
Private First Class |
Richard |
J. |
Ludwiczak |
|
Army |
Linden |
cluster |
|
Corporal |
Randolph |
|
Lyons |
|
Marine Corps |
Linden |
cluster |
|
Sergeant First Class |
Anthony |
N. |
Mack |
|
Army |
Cranford |
|
|
Sergeant First Class |
Anthony |
N. |
Mack |
|
Army |
Cranford |
|
|
Corporal |
Eugene |
A. |
Maglietta |
|
Army Air Corps |
Roselle Park |
|
|
Corporal |
Robert |
E. |
Malkmus |
|
Army |
Union |
|
|
Petty Officer Third Class |
Brian |
P. |
Mallon |
|
Navy |
Rahway |
cluster |
|
Private First Class |
Frank |
E. |
Markonas |
Posthumous |
Army |
Cranford |
|
|
Private First Class |
Edward |
F. |
Martin |
|
Army |
Linden |
cluster |
|
Corporal |
Robert |
R. |
Max |
|
Army |
Summit |
cluster |
|
Corporal |
Edward |
M. |
Mc Cue |
|
Marine Corps |
Kenilworth |
cluster |
|
Petty Officer Third Class |
Joseph |
P. |
McElroy |
|
Navy |
Elizabeth |
|
|
Sergeant |
William |
D. |
McFarlane |
|
Army |
Garwood |
cluster |
|
Captain |
Edwin |
|
McMichael |
|
Army Air Corps |
Rahway |
cluster |
|
First Lieutenant |
Leslie |
|
Metsky |
|
Army Air Corps |
Summit |
cluster |
|
Technician Fifth Grade |
Arthur |
A. |
Meyer |
|
Army |
Scotch Plains |
|
|
Private First Class |
Joseph |
|
Milano |
Posthumous |
Marine Corps |
Berkeley Heights |
cluster |
|
Petty Officer Third Class |
Albert |
P |
Miserendino |
|
Navy |
Plainfield |
|
|
Lance Corporal |
Lawrence |
W. |
Mongiovi |
|
Marine Corps |
Rahway |
|
|
Sergeant |
Albert |
M. |
Moreira |
|
Army |
Union |
|
|
First Lieutenant |
Joseph |
J |
Mottley |
|
Army |
Westfield |
|
|
Private First Class |
John |
E. |
Munkacsy |
Posthumous |
Army |
Clark |
cluster |
|
Sergeant |
Richard |
|
Nardone |
|
Army |
Union |
|
|
Seaman |
Robert |
L. |
Nowak |
|
Navy |
Cranford |
|
|
Staff Sergeant |
John |
D. |
O'Brien |
|
Army Air Corps |
South Plainfield |
|
|
Specialist Four |
Louis |
|
Osorio |
|
Army |
Elizabeth |
|
|
Petty Officer Second Class |
Harold |
T. |
Peer |
|
Navy |
Cranford |
|
|
Technician Third Grade |
Byron |
J. |
Pelan |
|
Army |
North Plainfield |
|
|
Technician Fifth Grade |
Frederic |
|
Penziner |
|
Army |
Mountainside |
cluster |
|
Staff Sergeant |
Sherman |
|
Perr |
|
Army Air Corps |
Union |
|
|
Chief Warrant Officer |
Carl |
R. |
Peterson |
|
Army |
Cranford |
cluster |
|
Corporal |
Charles |
E |
Peterson |
|
Army Air Corps |
Plainfield |
|
|
Sergeant |
David |
J. |
Phillips |
|
Army |
Union |
|
|
Technician Fourth Grade |
Louis |
|
Piccirillo |
|
Army |
Union |
cluster |
|
Technical Sergeant |
Peter |
P. |
Pienciak |
|
Army |
Linden |
|
|
Private First Class |
Sofio |
J |
Piraneo |
|
Marine Corps |
Summit |
|
|
Staff Sergeant |
August |
J |
Pirrone |
|
Army Air Corps |
Summit |
|
|
Technician Fifth Grade |
Pasquale |
P. |
Potente |
|
Army |
Kenilworth |
|
|
Private First Class |
Frank |
|
Renales |
|
Army |
Roselle |
|
|
Petty Officer Third Class |
Peter |
|
Renna |
|
Navy |
New Providence |
|
|
Private First Class |
Patsy |
|
Richichi |
|
Army |
Roselle |
|
|
Corporal |
Joseph |
J. |
Richvalsky |
|
Marine Corps |
Linden |
|
|
Technician Fifth Grade |
Louis |
T. |
Riegler |
|
Army |
Berkeley Heights |
|
|
Corporal |
Edward |
G. |
Rizkalia |
|
Marine Corps |
Cranford |
|
|
Petty Officer First Class |
Fredrick |
|
Rizkalla |
|
Navy |
Cranford |
|
|
Petty Officer Third Class |
Russell |
G. |
Romond |
|
Navy |
Berkeley Heights |
|
|
Staff Sergeant |
Cesar |
C. |
Rondon |
|
Army |
Elizabeth |
|
|
Staff Sergeant |
James |
W. |
Ruff |
|
Army |
Cranford |
cluster |
|
Captain |
Ernest |
R. |
Russo |
|
Army |
Union |
|
|
Petty Officer Second Class |
Louis |
R |
Russo |
|
Navy |
North Plainfield |
|
|
Sergeant |
George |
N. |
Russo |
|
Army |
Union |
|
|
Private First Class |
Stuart |
|
Rutledge |
|
Army |
Clark |
|
|
Petty Officer First Class |
Fortunato |
J |
Salerno |
|
Navy |
Fanwood |
|
|
First Lieutenant |
Anna |
A |
Santillo-Falvo |
|
Army |
Plainfield |
|
|
Private First Class |
Arnold |
D |
Santoro |
Posthumous |
Marine Corps |
Cranford |
|
|
Petty Officer First Class |
George |
A. |
Santulli |
Posthumous |
Navy |
Cranford |
cluster |
|
Staff Sergeant |
Theodore |
|
Sawchak |
|
Army Air Corps |
Union |
|
|
Captain |
Robert |
A. |
Scheu |
|
Air Force |
Berkeley Heights |
cluster |
|
Sergeant |
Henry |
|
Schnirman |
|
Army Air Corps |
Clark |
|
|
Sergeant |
Edwin |
F. |
Schulhafer |
|
Army |
Linden |
cluster |
|
Staff Sergeant |
Joseph |
S |
Siejk |
|
Army |
Mountainside |
|
|
Petty Officer First Class |
Richard |
J |
Squillace |
|
Navy |
Linden |
|
|
Sergeant |
Joseph |
A. |
Stanziano |
|
Army |
Westfield |
|
|
Airman First Class |
Alexander |
F. |
Surma |
|
Air Force |
Rahway |
|
|
Petty Officer First Class |
Francis |
|
Taylor |
|
Navy |
North Plainfield |
|
|
Sergeant |
Dominick |
A. |
Tonzola |
|
Army |
Roselle Park |
|
|
Corporal |
Charles |
M. |
Toth |
|
Army |
Linden |
cluster |
|
First Lieutenant |
John |
J. |
Troiano |
|
Army Air Corps |
Linden |
cluster |
|
Private First Class |
Andrew |
|
Udet |
|
Army |
Roselle Park |
|
|
Petty Officer Second Class |
Peter |
E. |
Ventriglia |
|
Navy |
Plainfield |
|
|
Petty Officer Second Class |
Peter |
E. |
Ventriglia |
|
Navy |
Plainfield |
|
|
Staff Sergeant |
James |
D. |
Vigliotti |
|
Army Air Corps |
Roselle Park |
cluster |
|
Specialist Five |
Michael |
|
Vitale |
|
Army |
Fanwood |
|
|
(MM) |
Stanley |
G |
Wnek |
|
Merchant Marines |
Springfield |
|
|
Specialist Five |
Donald |
G |
Wooten |
|
Army |
Elizabeth |
|
|
Private |
Renney |
|
Wyckoff |
Posthumous |
Army |
North Plainfield |
|
|
Petty Officer Second Class |
Clemens |
J. |
Zavila |
|
Navy |
Cranford |
|
|
Petty Officer Second Class |
Alphonse |
|
Ziemienski |
|
Navy |
Scotch Plains |
|
|
Corporal |
Leonard |
R. |
Zuchowski |
|
Marine Corps |
Fanwood |
|
 
|
