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Politics & Government

Westfield Resident, 97, Receives Bronze Star Medal

Thirty years after he was recommended for it, Ennio John Vigliante will receive the award for valorous achievement during the Battle of the Bulge, on Sunday, June 24.

Former Sgt. Ennio John Viglianti, long-time resident of Westfield, will receive the Bronze Star medal on Sunday, June 24, at 3 p.m. at the American Legion Hall in Scotch Plains, for “valorous achievement . . . while serving as Ammunition Chief” during the Battle of the Bulge.

Viglianti, 97, “still plays golf (once a week) and is every bit with it,” according to his great niece, Jeannie Cambria.  

During a period of intense combat, Sgt. Viglianti and members of the 3rd Armored Field Artillery Battalion worked tirelessly to hold off an entire German division for six full days.

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“My dad’s group of six ammunition supply trucks made it through enemy lines to the supply depot and then back in through enemy lines with enough ammunition to allow his artillery group to continuously fire. [They provided] such suppressing firing that it was one of the major actions that stopped the Germans from taking Bastogne,” explained Viglianti’s son, John.

Viglianti received, recorded, and filled requests for ammunition 24 hours a day. He helped guide trains of Service Battery trucks to ammunition depots sometimes 75 to 120 miles away in the midst of enemy fire and pitch-black winter darkness, through which they drove without headlights for safety.

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According to Colonel Robert Rupp, “The 3rd’s 105mm-howitzers fired approximately 28,000 rounds during those six days, an Army record . . . Gun batteries never went without a single round, despite continuous, round-the-clock firing.”

“Hell” was Viglianti’s single-word description of the experience, though he also remarked, “Nothing is pleasurable in the war . . . you see death every day—blood!” His memory is incredible, and he vividly recalls people falling and freezing to death in the snow as they ran for cover: “You never knew when someone would shoot at you.”

In 1940, when President Roosevelt announced a selective service sign-up, Viglianti put his name on the list. When the numbers were drawn, his—number 157—was one of them. Shortly after that, however, a Captain from the National Guard stationed in nearby Plainfield heard that Viglianti had been in a shoe business with his brother, and that he was capable of fixing saddles, among other things. He removed Viglianti’s name from the original list, and recruited him for the 101st cavalry, in which he stayed for two years until horses were officially replaced with machine guns.  

Subsequently, Viglianti was made an Ammunition Chief and, while overseas, spent six months in the woods, setting up camp temporarily and then leaving before too long. This earned his unit the name “Phantom Night,” as nobody knew where exactly they would pop up each time.

When Viglianti returned with his unit after delivering ammunition for three days and four nights, his Colonel was shocked to see him, certain he was dead. The ammunition depot where he’d originally been sent was on fire, and he had no choice but to head south to France without a map. And somehow, he ended up in the spot at which he’d begun three days earlier.

For his courageous efforts, Viglianti was recommended for the award over 30 years ago, but because of an issue with records, is only now receiving it. His good friend Art Lundgren played a very instrumental role in securing Viglianti’s recognition.

Lundgren jokes, “I’m bruised from being bounced from agency to agency!”

Said Viglianti: “I’m not excited. I’d given up on (getting the award). . . but when I finally see it, maybe I’ll feel proud. I don’t know what it looks like, and I’m very anxious to see it.”

Viglianti’s golf buddies and family from three different states will be attending the ceremony. The medal is to be presented by Brig. General (ret.) Vincent Stahl and the military protocol will be provided by Commander Alex DiPace.

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