Paying tribute to those who served Seven NB residents honored with Distinguished Service Medal

Joseph “Jay” Sticco didn’t hesitate when he received his draft notice to serve in the United States Army during the Korean War more than 50 years ago. Although the long-time North Bergen resident wasn’t fond of the idea of war, he answered the call to duty with pride.

“I was 21 years old and had no special skills,” said Sticco, who has been an aide in the North Bergen Recreation Department for the last 35 years. “I was perfect cannon fodder for the front line. People might think that war is like John Wayne movies, with big, tall strong guys coming over the hill. But that doesn’t exist. It’s a bunch of little guys like me with no skills. I got thrown right into battle.”

Sticco did more than just serve. He earned two Bronze Stars and a combat infantry badge for his work with the 32nd Infantry. He also received a Korean Service Medal.

Last Tuesday, some 50 years after receiving his last medal, Sticco was pinned with another award, the highest medal given to any New Jersey resident who served in the Armed Forces.

The 72-year-old Sticco was among 119 New Jersey residents who received the award during ceremonies, held by the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, at the VFW Post in Kearny.

Sticco was one of seven North Bergen residents to receive the award, joining Lawrence Chesis, Joseph Dulanie, William Kruse, Bennie Lotito, Edward Sonnico, and Bruno Sonnico. Chesis received the award posthumously.

Although Sticco was honored by the medal, he feels that the real heroes are his colleagues who lost their lives during the Korean War, as well as all wars.

“I was lucky,” Sticco said. “I’m still alive. The real heroes are the ones who lost their lives. I pick up this award in their honor and memory. We all just did a job and I managed to live. I had four or five guys who went to Korea with me and were killed in the matter of days. One was killed right next to me. I remember those people. It’s hard not to forget them.”

Sticco said that he was aware of the Distinguished Service Medal program, which was reinstituted by the state of New Jersey in 1998 to honor combat veterans from the state. But he didn’t know he could receive the medal until Charlie Faistl, the director of veterans affairs for the township, contacted him and told Sticco he was getting the award.

“It’s a pretty rewarding feeling,” Sticco said. “I’m glad that they recognized me.”

Wonderful sight

State Assemblywoman Joan Quigley was on hand to help distribute the medals.

“It was wonderful to see all the men come to receive their medals, with tears in their eyes,” Quigley said. “They waited a long time to receive this honor. It was impressive to me how they could all still salute with pride. It’s important for us to remember, especially in this time in our nation, that we’ve always had heroes in America.”

Brigadier General Thomas Sullivan, the assistant adjutant general in New Jersey, pinned the medals on the chests of the deserving veterans.

“We have to continue to take care of the veterans of today, because we’re the veterans of tomorrow,” Sullivan said. “I think this was a very impressive turnout, especially with the weather [96 degree temperature].”

Many Vietnam veterans received honors.

“For the Vietnam vets, we finally said, ‘Welcome home,'” Sullivan said. “They never heard that before. It’s important to honor all vets, but especially the Vietnam vets, because they never got the respect before.”

Quigley agreed.

“It was impressive to see so many younger veterans, especially from the Vietnam War,” Quigley said. “It’s about time that they were acknowledged for what they did for our country.”

Although Sticco said that he has moved on from his military days, building a family with his wife Lucy and their children and grandchildren, he feels that the honor was a nice gesture.

“It was long overdue for everyone,” Sticco said. “There were people from all branches of the Armed Forces, from the other wars. Although I try to dismiss those days, I can’t completely forget. There are always reminders. But this was a nice day for everyone.”

Hudson County residents who received the New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal last Tuesday are:

North Bergen:

Army 1st Lt. Lawrence Chesis, World War II (posthumously)
Marine Corps Cpl. Joseph Dulanie, Korean
Army Specialist William Kruse, Vietnam
Army Pvt. First Class Bennie Lotito, World War II,
Navy Seaman First Class Edward Sonnico, World War II
Army Pvt. First Class Bruno Sonvico, World War II
Army Cpl. Joseph Sticco, Korean

Jersey City:

Air Force Sgt. Francis Aniskiewicz, Vietnam
Navy Gunner Richard Bello, Korean
Army Cpl. Robert Button, Korean
Army Cpl. Joseph Castagna, Korean
Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Matthew Chilcotte, Vietnam
Army Pvt. First Class Arthur Fabrizio, World War II
Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Nelson Gordon, Vietnam
Army Pvt. Clarence Haynes, World War II
Army Staff Sgt. Zygmund Kowalski, World War II
Army Specialist Philip Lore, Vietnam
Army Pvt. Bernard McCarthy, World War II
Army Staff Sgt. Gerard McCarthy, Desert Storm
Army Pvt. First Class Frank Paczkowski, World War II (posthumously)
Navy Gunner Frederick Payne, World War II
Air Force Capt. George Polasky, World War II
Army Cpl. Henry Topoleski, Korean
Army Specialist Joseph Torres, Vietnam
Marine Corps Sgt. Jamie Vasquez, Vietnam

Hoboken:

Army Technical Sgt. Frank Daniello, World War II
Army Pvt. First Class Frank Giongrete, World War II
Army Cpl. William Perry, World War II
Army Staff Sgt. Salvatore Russo, World War II
Army Technician Daniel Valente, World War II

Secaucus:

Navy Radio Man First Class Harold Bonin, World War II
Army Technical Sgt. Michael Damato, World War II
Army Pvt. First Class Peter DeRosa, Korean
Army Pvt. Ralph Faugno, World War II
Navy Coxswain Edward Kane, World War II
Navy Engineman Henry Koop, World War II
Army Pvt. First Class Joseph Lemkan, World War II
Army Master Sgt. John Meyer, World War II
Army Pvt. First Class Michael Pastorino, World War II
Army Specialist Joseph Pepe, Vietnam
Army Pvt. First Class Frank Zitzman, Vietnam

Union City:

Army Specialist Henry Kaden, Vietnam

West New York:

Army Technician James Belveduto, World War II
Army Technical Sgt. Louis Daniello, World War II
Army Staff Sgt. Herculano Dias, Vietnam
Army Staff Sgt. Michael Viola, World War II

Weehawken:

Army Specialist Victor Barone, Vietnam
Army Pvt. First Class Dominick DePauma, World War II