Ralph E. Piano, Jr. was born on September 8, 1948. His home of record is Madison, NJ. "Ralphie" was the oldest son of Ralph and Fannie Piano. He attended the Green Village Road School, the Junior High School, and Madison High School. While in high school, Ralphie played baseball on the Varsity team. He also enjoyed football and basketball. A fan of Willie Mays and Johnny Unitas, Ralphie enjoyed taunting his father about being a Giants fan. Ralphie's love for basketball was obvious when he was an assistant coach in the CYO program at St. Vincent's school.
After graduating from Madison High in 1966, Ralphie worked at Keuffel & Esser in Rockaway for 2 ½ years before entering the US Army on February 18, 1969.
While training at Fort Dix, Piano received special recognition for outstanding performance by distinguishing himself as the high scorer in rifle marksmanship. A trophy was presented to him by the commanding officer, Major General K.W. Collins in May 1969.
After basic training, Piano was shipped overseas to Vietnam on July 20, 1969, where he was assigned to the Fifth Battalion, 46th Infantry, Company B on the Batong Peninsula. He attained the rank of Private First Class (PFC).
On October 15, 1969, at the age of 21, Piano was buried in St. Vincent's Cemetery after a Mass was offered at St. Vincent's Church.
Piano was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star Medal posthumously for meritorious service in connection with ground operations against a hostile force. He was also awarded the Good Conduct Medal, the Combat Infantry Badge, the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with one Bronze Star, a Vietnam Campaign Ribbon, an Expert Badge, Sharpshooter Badge, and the Marksman Badge.
After graduating from Madison High in 1966, Ralphie worked at Keuffel & Esser in Rockaway for 2 ½ years before entering the US Army on February 18, 1969.
While training at Fort Dix, Piano received special recognition for outstanding performance by distinguishing himself as the high scorer in rifle marksmanship. A trophy was presented to him by the commanding officer, Major General K.W. Collins in May 1969.
After basic training, Piano was shipped overseas to Vietnam on July 20, 1969, where he was assigned to the Fifth Battalion, 46th Infantry, Company B on the Batong Peninsula. He attained the rank of Private First Class (PFC).
On October 15, 1969, at the age of 21, Piano was buried in St. Vincent's Cemetery after a Mass was offered at St. Vincent's Church.
Piano was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star Medal posthumously for meritorious service in connection with ground operations against a hostile force. He was also awarded the Good Conduct Medal, the Combat Infantry Badge, the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with one Bronze Star, a Vietnam Campaign Ribbon, an Expert Badge, Sharpshooter Badge, and the Marksman Badge.
Ralph E. Piano, Jr. was born on September 8, 1948. His home of record is Madison, NJ. "Ralphie" was the oldest son of Ralph and Fannie Piano. He attended the Green Village Road School, the Junior High School, and Madison High School. While in high school, Ralphie played baseball on the Varsity team. He also enjoyed football and basketball. A fan of Willie Mays and Johnny Unitas, Ralphie enjoyed taunting his father about being a Giants fan. Ralphie's love for basketball was obvious when he was an assistant coach in the CYO program at St. Vincent's school.
After graduating from Madison High in 1966, Ralphie worked at Keuffel & Esser in Rockaway for 2 ½ years before entering the US Army on February 18, 1969.
While training at Fort Dix, Piano received special recognition for outstanding performance by distinguishing himself as the high scorer in rifle marksmanship. A trophy was presented to him by the commanding officer, Major General K.W. Collins in May 1969.
After basic training, Piano was shipped overseas to Vietnam on July 20, 1969, where he was assigned to the Fifth Battalion, 46th Infantry, Company B on the Batong Peninsula. He attained the rank of Private First Class (PFC).
On October 15, 1969, at the age of 21, Piano was buried in St. Vincent's Cemetery after a Mass was offered at St. Vincent's Church.
Piano was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star Medal posthumously for meritorious service in connection with ground operations against a hostile force. He was also awarded the Good Conduct Medal, the Combat Infantry Badge, the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with one Bronze Star, a Vietnam Campaign Ribbon, an Expert Badge, Sharpshooter Badge, and the Marksman Badge.
After graduating from Madison High in 1966, Ralphie worked at Keuffel & Esser in Rockaway for 2 ½ years before entering the US Army on February 18, 1969.
While training at Fort Dix, Piano received special recognition for outstanding performance by distinguishing himself as the high scorer in rifle marksmanship. A trophy was presented to him by the commanding officer, Major General K.W. Collins in May 1969.
After basic training, Piano was shipped overseas to Vietnam on July 20, 1969, where he was assigned to the Fifth Battalion, 46th Infantry, Company B on the Batong Peninsula. He attained the rank of Private First Class (PFC).
On October 15, 1969, at the age of 21, Piano was buried in St. Vincent's Cemetery after a Mass was offered at St. Vincent's Church.
Piano was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star Medal posthumously for meritorious service in connection with ground operations against a hostile force. He was also awarded the Good Conduct Medal, the Combat Infantry Badge, the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with one Bronze Star, a Vietnam Campaign Ribbon, an Expert Badge, Sharpshooter Badge, and the Marksman Badge.
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