thedrifter
02-09-04, 07:32 AM
High honor, low-key: Oak Forest native receives Bronze Star
Sunday, February 8, 2004
By Guy Tridgell
Staff writer
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
That Maj. Neal "Nick" Pugliese would mention in passing that he received a Bronze Star, one of the highest honors a Marine can receive, is not a shock.
The Oak Forest native, seventh in a family of nine boys, would never be described as a self-promoter, according to parents Thomas and Rose Pugliese.
"He is very low-key," his father said.
"He is very modest," added his mother. "Very modest."
Pugliese, 40, was awarded the Bronze Star, with a combat "V" for valor, for leading his special forces troops to an important victory early in the war in Iraq.
Pugliese was expecting an easy time when his men entered the Iraqi port city of Umm Qasr last March.
"They expected a couple of cops and some little old ladies," Rose Pugliese said.
More than 2,000 Iraqi soldiers had other ideas.
When the dust settled, the outnumbered Marines had overtaken the police headquarters and a United Nations compound. About 500 Iraqis were taken prisoner.
Although the battle was his first combat, Pugliese was no stranger to danger. During his 22-year career with the Marines, Pugliese has served hot spots in Liberia, Cuba and Kuwait.
"We don't get overwhelmed," Maj. Pugliese told The Beaufort (S.C.) Gazette. "As we say, we eat the elephant one bite at a time."
More than 67,000 sailors and Marines have served in Iraq. Only 125 have been issued Bronze Stars, which acknowledges heroic or meritorious achievement.
Pugliese was given his at a ceremony Wednesday — 60 years to the day after President Franklin D. Roosevelt established the Bronze Star. It was pinned to the chest of the Oak Forest High School alum in Parris Island, S.C., the recruit training station where Pugliese is stationed.
The award also notes the role he played in a battle that caused a planned diversion the night Army Pvt. Jessica Lynch was rescued.
"To be honest with you, I'm humbled because I think those Marines that I went to war with deserve this award," he said. "Our Marines are really the heart and soul. They're the ones that are going to make a lot of things happen."
Thomas and Rose Pugliese learned their son received the medal during a phone conversation at their Orland Park home a day later.
"He was so matter-of-fact, it was like he was on a milk run," his father said.
The Puglieses are proud of the award, but not boastful.
His mother said the experience has made her reflect.
"This whole thing is with mixed emotions," she said. "We are proud of Neal all the time. But we are fortunate and blessed our son came home. There are parents grieving. Because our son came home, we are not under any illusions we are special."
Guy Tridgell may be reached at gtridgell@dailysouthtown.com or (708) 633-5970.
http://www.dailysouthtown.com/southtown/yrtwn/south/082syt4.htm
Sempers,
Roger
:marine:
Sunday, February 8, 2004
By Guy Tridgell
Staff writer
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
That Maj. Neal "Nick" Pugliese would mention in passing that he received a Bronze Star, one of the highest honors a Marine can receive, is not a shock.
The Oak Forest native, seventh in a family of nine boys, would never be described as a self-promoter, according to parents Thomas and Rose Pugliese.
"He is very low-key," his father said.
"He is very modest," added his mother. "Very modest."
Pugliese, 40, was awarded the Bronze Star, with a combat "V" for valor, for leading his special forces troops to an important victory early in the war in Iraq.
Pugliese was expecting an easy time when his men entered the Iraqi port city of Umm Qasr last March.
"They expected a couple of cops and some little old ladies," Rose Pugliese said.
More than 2,000 Iraqi soldiers had other ideas.
When the dust settled, the outnumbered Marines had overtaken the police headquarters and a United Nations compound. About 500 Iraqis were taken prisoner.
Although the battle was his first combat, Pugliese was no stranger to danger. During his 22-year career with the Marines, Pugliese has served hot spots in Liberia, Cuba and Kuwait.
"We don't get overwhelmed," Maj. Pugliese told The Beaufort (S.C.) Gazette. "As we say, we eat the elephant one bite at a time."
More than 67,000 sailors and Marines have served in Iraq. Only 125 have been issued Bronze Stars, which acknowledges heroic or meritorious achievement.
Pugliese was given his at a ceremony Wednesday — 60 years to the day after President Franklin D. Roosevelt established the Bronze Star. It was pinned to the chest of the Oak Forest High School alum in Parris Island, S.C., the recruit training station where Pugliese is stationed.
The award also notes the role he played in a battle that caused a planned diversion the night Army Pvt. Jessica Lynch was rescued.
"To be honest with you, I'm humbled because I think those Marines that I went to war with deserve this award," he said. "Our Marines are really the heart and soul. They're the ones that are going to make a lot of things happen."
Thomas and Rose Pugliese learned their son received the medal during a phone conversation at their Orland Park home a day later.
"He was so matter-of-fact, it was like he was on a milk run," his father said.
The Puglieses are proud of the award, but not boastful.
His mother said the experience has made her reflect.
"This whole thing is with mixed emotions," she said. "We are proud of Neal all the time. But we are fortunate and blessed our son came home. There are parents grieving. Because our son came home, we are not under any illusions we are special."
Guy Tridgell may be reached at gtridgell@dailysouthtown.com or (708) 633-5970.
http://www.dailysouthtown.com/southtown/yrtwn/south/082syt4.htm
Sempers,
Roger
:marine: