Retired SFC receives Bronze Star 45 years after heroics

Courtesy Photo | Dennis Spagnoulo, a retired Army sergeant first class, proudly holds the Bronze Star he recently received nearly 45 years after his Vietnam service. (Photo by Ray Kozakewicz)  

PROVIDENCE, RI, UNITED STATES

02.04.2016

Story by Terrance Bell  

Fort Gregg-Adams

FORT LEE, Va. (Feb. 4, 2016) -- Dennis Spagnoulo, a retired sergeant first class, spent 17 years as a supervisor working for the U.S. Postal Service following his Army career. In the process, he saw thousands of boxes headed to destinations all over the world.

In early January, Spagnoulo received his own 'special package' at his Prince George County home – a Bronze Star with valor for “extraordinary combat operations in 1971 in Vietnam.”

He received the unexpected honor nearly 45 years after his combat tour. He doesn’t know what led the Army to review his military file at this late date. Adding to the mystery, the Army did not list a specific heroic action for the honor but outlined his total service in Vietnam as a sergeant with the 5th Battalion, 7th Calvary Regiment.

“I don’t think it was one action,” said Spagnoulo. “I did a combination of things supporting the troops with supplies they needed. I flew out sometimes two-or-three drops a day in a helicopter from our Forward Support Fire Base. If the troops needed anything, I would do my best to get it out to them the same day.”

Spagnoulo, however, zeroed in on one memorable day – April 27, 1971.

“Our helicopter came under fire for about 20 minutes and we took a hit,” he recalled. “There were six of us on the chopper – pilot, co-pilot and three others besides me. The pilot did an excellent job bringing the chopper down. ‘We’ve got two choices,’ he yelled. ‘Right now, we’re too high to jump, but hang on, I’ll get it as low as I can and when I tell you – jump.’”

All on board suffered bruises jumping and rolling on the ground and were rescued in about 30 minutes.

“Two days later our whole crew was back on duty,” said Spagnoulo.”

He recounted a number of other incidents in his 15 months in Vietnam.

“We were involved in other skirmishes. Other choppers I was on took hits or were fired on. And I got stuck out for a couple of nights one time.”

During his 20-year career, he also served overseas in Korea and twice in Germany. He was stationed at Fort Lee several times for a total of nine years and retired here in 1986. Looking back at his Vietnam service, he never imagined he earned a Bronze Star.

“It was never anything I thought about,” he said.

He received a call about a year ago from the Army’s record section asking if he had been awarded a Bronze Star. “I thought it was a joke at first. The caller verified my service but needed to get approval so I could receive the award,” Spagnoulo said.

Then, he was told it would be about a year before he received it. “I asked how I would receive the Bronze Star and was told ‘by mail,’” he said laughing.

“I was happy and proud to learn of the honor, but sort of made a joke about it coming in the mail. ‘Another year, I guess is not going to hurt’ I told my wife.”

Through the years, Spagnoulo has had many Army friends. One of them, Arthur Schneider, has known Spagnoulo since 1972.

“I was his first sergeant and command sergeant major, and we served together in Germany and Fort Lee. He’s been a good friend,” Schneider said.

When he learned Spagnoulo had received the Bronze Star, he called and asked him to bring it to a meeting of the National Association of Military Retirees in Colonial Heights Jan. 21. Unknown to Spagnoulo, Schneider had arranged for the Bronze Star to be formally presented
as a surprise at the meeting by Lt. Col. Brett H. Venable, commander, Kenner Army Health Clinic. Venable was a guest speaker at the program.

When he arrived at the meeting, Spagnoulo showed the Bronze Star to his friend. “Art said, ‘can I give it back in a little bit.’ “I said sure and did not think anything of it,” Spagnoulo related.

“During the meeting, Col. Venable asked me to come forward and asked, ‘Do you know why I called you up here?’” Spagnoulo said, “No sir.”

Venable told Spagnoulo and the group of other military retirees he had learned from Schneider there never had been a presentation of the Bronze Star and he was proud to present it.

“It was truly an honor to present Sgt. 1st Class Spagnoulo with the Bronze Star Medal,” said Venable after the meeting. “Sgt. 1st Class Spagnoulo bravely answered the call when our country needed him and this medal serves as a symbol of his selfless service to our great nation.”

Spagnoulo noted, “I was really surprised. It really touched me deeply to have Col. Venable present me with the award. I really appreciate Art for arranging it. I was surprised and overwhelmed. It’s special, too, since it has my name on it.”

A native of Providence, R.I., Spagnoulo enlisted in the Army in 1966 at age 17.

“I was inspired by President John F. Kennedy to serve my country,” Spagnoulo said, “I met and talked with him as a teenager. He impressed me. When he gave his inaugural speech and said, ‘Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country,’ I kind of took that to heart.”

• Date Taken: 02.04.2016
• Date Posted: 02.04.2016 12:18
• Story ID: 187905
• Location: PROVIDENCE, RI, US