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).
He wrote his parents in September that his unit took part in a raid on a Viet Cong base where they found 230 tons of salt, which played a vital part in the diet of the Viet Cong soldiers. The salt supply was also used as a preservative and for bartering. This amount was the largest ever uncovered in Vietnam. The story of the cache of salt appeared in the Madison Eagle in October 1969.
Piano wrote on September 30, 1969, that his outfit was going back into the “bush” until the 9th of October, after which time the unit would leave the “action for awhile.” On the night of October 5, 1969, the Viet Cong attacked the defensive position of Piano’s Company and he was killed during the attack.
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.
Piano’s Bronze Star Medal citation reads:
Citation by direction of the President The Bronze Star Medal is presented posthumously to Private First Class Ralph E. Piano, Jr. for distinguishing himself by outstanding meritorious service in connection with ground operations against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam during the period July 1969 to October 1969.
Through his untiring efforts and professional ability, he consistently obtained outstanding results. He was quick to grasp the implications of new problems with which he was faced as a result of the ever-changing situations inherent in a counterinsurgency operation and to find ways and means to solve those problems. The energetic application of his extensive knowledge has materially contributed to the efforts of the United States mission to the Republic of Vietnam to assist that country in ridding itself of the communist threat to its freedom.
His initiative, zeal, sound judgment and devotion to duty have been in the highest tradition of the United States Army and reflects great credit on himself, his unit and the military service.
Sources: Always with us (Madison War Memorial Book Committee) and NJVVMF.
12/17/2024
