Congressman Christopher H. Smith, District 4 | Official U.S. House headshot
Congressman Christopher H. Smith, District 4 | Official U.S. House headshot
Two Vietnam War veterans from New Jersey, Pete Celentano and Michael Vaccaro, were finally awarded the military medals they earned over five decades ago. U.S. Representative Chris Smith presented the medals to them during separate ceremonies held in Middletown and Toms River.
Celentano, a Jackson resident, was wounded in 1967 when an artillery shell struck his foxhole in northern Vietnam. He sustained shrapnel injuries that made him eligible for a Purple Heart medal, which he never received until now. Reflecting on the incident, Celentano said, “When I woke up, the two guys on my left, they were disintegrated — there was nothing left of them.” Despite his injuries, he returned to duty within hours.
Vaccaro spent most of 1972 training villages along the Mekong Delta to defend themselves against the Viet Cong. His unit dwindled down to just him and a sergeant. For his efforts, he was promised a Bronze Star medal but never received it. Vaccaro recalled being told it would be mailed to him after his discharge: “I waited, waited and waited, and then forgot about it.”
The delay in awarding these medals is partly attributed to a 1973 fire at the National Personnel Records Center in Missouri that destroyed millions of military personnel files. This loss particularly affected Vietnam veterans awaiting awards paperwork.
Last year, Vaccaro approached Rep. Smith’s office with documentation supporting his claim for the Bronze Star. Similarly, Celentano resumed pursuing his Purple Heart after reconnecting with a medic whose life he had saved during their service together.
With evidence gathered by Smith’s staff and submitted to the Pentagon on their behalf, both veterans have now been recognized for their service and sacrifice.
“It’s very emotional,” said Celentano upon receiving his Purple Heart at age 78. “It’s been 58 years; can you imagine? But I’m still here.”
Vaccaro also expressed relief at finally closing this chapter: “It’s kind of faded because it’s typewriter-typed and it’s carbon paper-copied,” he said about finding orders confirming his award.
These belated recognitions highlight ongoing issues related to forgotten valor among veterans who served in Vietnam.
Alerts Sign-up