The 35th Infantry Regiment Association salutes our fallen brother, SGT Joseph John Postiglione, who died in the service of his country on March 8th, 1970 in Binh Dinh Province, Vietnam. The cause of death was listed as Small Arms/AW. At the time of his death Joseph was 23 years of age. He was from Utica, New York. Joseph is honored on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Panel 13W, Line 98.
The decorations earned by SGT Joseph John Postiglione include: the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Bronze Star with V, the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation.
Joseph is is buried in St Marys Cemetery, Clinton, NY
Joseph John Postiglione Obituary
From the Utica Observer Dispatch
Sunday March 15, 1970 Page 5B
Postiglione Rites Set
A military funeral for Army Sergeant Joseph J. Postiglione will be at 8:30 Wednesday from the Eannace Funeral Home and at 9 from the St John's Church.
Sgt Postiglione, 23, son of Mr and Mrs Peter Postiglione of 18 Steuben Park, was killed March 8 on a combat mission in Vietnam.
Burial will be in St Marys Cemetery in Clinton this Spring.
Calling hours will be from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 today, Monday and Tuesday.
The Bronze Star w/V included one Oak Leaf Cluster. It was the second BS award for Sgt Joe.
It Might Have Been Different
Dad always walked point. The last day Joe walked point, dad was too sick to perform his usual duty. "He could smell the Gooks" dads comrades told me at more than one reunion. Time was measured by the time before or after Joe "got hit" Perhaps dad would have smelled the ambush that got Joe. Perhaps not. Dad tried his best to save Joe's life, but several rounds through the hip were more than an experienced trauma surgeon could have fixed on the spot. "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." I am alive because of Joe's sacrifice. Rest in peace. One of my goals in life is to make your sacrifice meaningful. If there is an afterlife, I pray that you look down from above and do not regret your decisions.
I remember Joe, when we moved to An Khe. I got a job in basecamp on top of a mountain operating a radio relay station. While relaying the line numbers of KIAs and WIAs I was told after one KIA line number that it was Joe.
Before I left the field I had traded a my air mattress for Joes old one. I was sitting on that air mattress when I found out he died. I wish now I remembered more. Joe's air mattress had a written history on it. Anyway, of the nine KIAs I experienced while in Vietnam, Joe's name was the only one I remembered. Now thanks to the Internet I know all there names.
A Friend
Cathie Price-Willoughby
kitty01106@yahoo.com
friend
You Have Not Been Forgotten
Joe was a warm, fun loving, kind, caring man and a true gentleman. He was loved deeply by his mother Chancey, sister Mary Carmelita, his aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Joe loved his country and was proud to serve.
(His BSV Citation)
Award Of The Bronze Star Medal For Heroism
For heroism in connection with military operations against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Sergeant Postiglione distinguished himself while serving as a Squad Leader with D, 2/35th Infantry. On 8 March 1970, Sergeant Postiglione was part of Company Ds point element when they suddenly began receiving sniper fire. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Sergeant Postiglione shouted a warning to his men and remained exposed until he was sure all his men found cover. Once assured that his squad was secure, Sergeant Postiglione moved to seek cover for himself, but was fatally wounded by another burst of enemy fire. Sergeant Postigliones exceptional courage, selfless actions, and exemplary devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
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