Army Staff Sergeant Thomas Edward Vitagliano was born on August 31, 1971, and raised in Orange and West Haven, Connecticut. From the earliest years of his life, he knew he wanted to serve. Friends and family remembered him as someone with an undeniable passion for the military — a passion that began in childhood and never wavered. He attended Notre Dame High School in West Haven until his sophomore year before transferring to a military academy, where he continued to develop the discipline and leadership that would hallmark his life in uniform.

After high school, Thomas first entered the military as a U.S. Marine, serving with honor and earning respect among his peers before transitioning to the U.S. Army several years later. His early service included participation in Operation Desert Storm in the early 1990s, an experience that further shaped his worldview and reaffirmed his commitment to military service.

In the Army, Vitagliano continued to advance his training and expertise. He became a member of Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, and served as a Staff Sergeant, leading Soldiers with integrity and courage. His unit at the time of his deployment was based out of Camp Casey, South Korea, but was forward deployed for operations in Iraq as part of Task Force 2–503 during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Thomas’s leadership was defined by his genuine care for the Soldiers under his command and his willingness to put their safety above his own. Fellow Soldiers remembered him as larger than life — a man whose presence inspired confidence and whose humor and affection drew others to him quickly, whether as a squad leader, mentor, or friend. His nickname, “Vito,” reflected the close bonds he forged with those he served alongside and the magnetic personality that made him unforgettable.

On January 17, 2005, while on patrol in Ar Ramadi, Iraq, Vitagliano’s unit encountered a vehicle‑borne improvised explosive device (VBIED). Recognizing the threat to his fellow Soldiers, Thomas acted instantly — placing himself between the approaching threat and his men, shielding them from the worst of the blast forces. In doing so, he lost his life while serving. He was 33 years old. Alongside him, fellow Soldiers also lost their lives in the attack.

For his actions that day and throughout his career, Staff Sgt. Vitagliano was posthumously awarded some of the nation’s highest military honors, including the Silver Star for conspicuous gallantry in action, recognizing the selfless courage he displayed in protecting others, as well as the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, and the Combat Infantryman Badge — testaments to his bravery, leadership, and commitment to mission and comrades.

Thomas’s personal life was just as full and meaningful. He was engaged to Nerina Giolli, a fellow Soldier and friend, and cherished deeply by his family — including his father, Gaetano Vitagliano, his mother, Inger Lise Severine, and his siblings. Family members and friends recall his infectious laughter, his generous heart, and his constant readiness to help others — whether off duty or in the most trying circumstances.

His funeral, held in Connecticut with full military honors, brought together hundreds of mourners from across the state and nation. The service celebrated a life of service woven through decades of military commitment, personal loyalty, and enduring friendship. To this day, memorials and remembrances in his honor attest to the impact he made on those who knew him — Soldiers whose lives he shaped through leadership, family members who treasured his joys, and communities that embrace his legacy.

Staff Sgt. Thomas E. Vitagliano’s life stands as a testament to the values of selfless service, bravery under fire, and unwavering devotion to others. His legacy lives on in the Soldiers he protected, the family that loves him, and the nation he served with honor and distinction.

Dates:
• Birth: August 31, 1971 — New Haven, Connecticut
• Angelversary: January 17, 2005 — Ar Ramadi, Iraq

Service & Achievements:
• United States Army, Staff Sergeant
• Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division
• Served in Operation Iraqi Freedom
• Awarded the Silver Star for gallantry, Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, and Combat Infantryman Badge
• Honored for extraordinary leadership, compassion, and self‑sacrifice

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