Flying into the jungles of South Vietnam and engaging with local leaders in remote villages was a dangerous task. Mike Vaccaro, then 24, undertook this mission regularly. “What I was doing was helping local people protect themselves, defend themselves, and know what to do,” Vaccaro explained to Congressman Chris Smith (NJ04) at Smith’s office in Middletown on February 21. Despite the perilous conditions in the Mekong Delta requiring him to carry an M-14 rifle or grenade launcher, Vaccaro noted he often received friendly receptions from civilians. “My job was to try to help them help themselves.”
For his efforts, Vaccaro was designated to receive the Bronze Star. He had been sent a certificate affirming his award for “meritorious achievement in ground operations against hostile forces in the Republic of Vietnam during the period of August 1971 to April 1972.” However, the actual medal never arrived due to his early return home following President Nixon’s “Vietnamization” strategy.
“Over the years I tried to contact the records operation in St. Louis several times with no success,” Vaccaro told Smith. “I gave up. When I read your newsletter, I thought I would reach out to you.”
Using the certificate he had kept for decades, Smith contacted both the Army and the National Personnel Records Center at the National Archives with a letter requesting that Vaccaro receive his Bronze Star, including a copy of the certificate. The Army ultimately agreed with Smith’s request and amended Vaccaro’s record.
At a ceremony where Congressman Smith presented him with the medal were Vaccaro’s wife Lynda, daughter Stephanie and son Michael, along with grandchildren Alex and Abigail.
“Your family has to know how deeply you are respected,” said Smith to Vaccaro, who is set to turn 79 next week. “Thank you for that courage. The Bronze Star is about courage and meritorious service. And that’s you.”
Smith also mentioned ongoing efforts related to Vietnam through his Vietnam Human Rights Act which has passed three times in the House but has yet to succeed in passing through the Senate.
