SAEPE EXPERTUS, SEMPER FIDELIS, FRATRES AETERNI
"Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever"
In memory of Colonel Rocco F.Valluzzi USMC

November 21,2009
My name is : William B Connolly
310 State Street
Guilford Ct 06437
wmarantha@aol.com

I am asking you for a gigantic favor regarding a MARINES (Marine), Colonel Rocco F Valluzzi USMC (deceased).

I am searching for any information on date March 31,1971, which involved then Major Rocco F Valluzzi who was awarded the Silver Star for action on that date.
If possible Crew members, Commanding Officer and location and description of action.

I was a friend of Rocco Valluzzi from Brooklyn. I have contacted Mrs Valluzzi regarding possible Medal Of Honor. Both Mrs Valluzzi and another close friend have said that Rocco stated he thought he should have been awarded the Medal Of Honor, but it was down graded.
Rocco was a modest Marine and did not try to have the award changed to a MOH.

Mrs Valluzzi has stated that Rocco was supposed to be awarded the MOH, but it was down graded to a Silver Star.

Mrs Katherine Valluzzi has given me permission to try having Colonel Rocco F Valluzzi Silver Star upgraded to a Medal of Honor

Below is the Email denoting her permission:
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Message:

Sub: Re: Hello Mrs. Valluzzi BILL CONNOLLY HERE
Date: 5/16/2009 12:17:17 P.M. Eastern Standard Time
From: valluzzi@cox.net
To: WMarantha@aol.com, VALLUZZI@COX.NET
Sent from the Internet (Details)

HELLO BILL,

THANK YOU FOR LOOKING INTO THE AWARD FOR ROCCO. I DO GIVE MY PERMISSION FOR YOU TO PURSUE THE POSSIBILITY OF UPGRADING HIS AWARD.

I HAVE FOUND ADMINISTRATIVE REMARKS PAGE THAT SHOW HE WAS WITH HMH463. I BELIEVE YOU HAD ASKED ABOUT HMM463. THIS MAY NOT BE THE SAME SQUADRON.

ANYWAY IT SAID THAT ROCCO WAS RECOMMENDED FOR THE FOLLOWING AWARDS WHILE ATTACHED TO HMH 463 AND IT WAS DATED 710410. THE AWARDS WERE DFC 4 FEB, DFC 10 ARP 71, SMAM 28 AUG 70, NC 31 MAR 71, NCM 5 APR 71,

I HOPE THIS HELPS YOU. IS THERE ANYWAY TO FIND OUT WHAT ACTION HAPPENED THAT ROCCO WAS CONSIDERED FOR THIS AWARD. ALSO VALLUZZI IS MISSPELLED, IS THERE ANY WAY TO HAVE THAT CORRECTED?

IF YOU NEED ANY COPIES OF THE AFORE MENTIONED PAPER, PLEASE CONTACT ME. MY PHONE NUMBER IS 760-726-0754.

AGAIN THANK YOU FOR YOUR EFFORTS TO CORRECT THIS AND ALL THE WORK YOU HAVE PUT INTO THIS LABOR.

SINCERELY,

KATHERINE VALLUZZI
----- Original Message -----
From: WMarantha@aol.com
To: VALLUZZI@COX.NET
Cc: WMarantha@aol.com
Sent: Sunday, May 10, 2009 3:37 PM
Subject: Hello Mrs. Valluzzi BILL CONNOLLY HERE

Hello Mrs. Valluzzi, a Very Happy Mothers Day to you I hope you and the family are well.

I had told you that I was friends with the entire Valluzzi family on 68 th Street in Brooklyn. Back in the 1950's we would gather on the Valluzzi front steps of their house. Rocco's dad was a very nice guy. He was very friendly, funny and it was like he was one of the teenage friends of Rocco. It was a great time.

The reason I write to you today was to wish you a Happy Mothers Day, and to ask your permission on seeking the Medal Of Honor for Rocco. I was reading Rocco's story on the Library of Congress and his award of the Silver Star. I sent an Email to Richard Adaszynski and asked him if Rocco ever told him that he should have received the MOH. Richard said yes, Rocco believed he should have received the MOH but it was down graded to the Silver Star. But Rocco being the man that he was would never seek the Medal of Honor for himself. I believe that if Rocco earned the Medal OF Honor then it should be awarded to him.

There is a procedure to go through to advance to a Medal of Honor. I think it is only proper that I have your permission to try to accomplish this. I know it will be very difficult.

***********************************************

Below is a copy of the Silver Star award for Rocco, and that it was awarded to Major Rocco F. Valluzzi, as a member of HMM-463 on March 31,1971. If you can verify it was (HMM-463) and I have your permission to pursue this, I will Contact the Marine Corps to get the forms that are needed.

VALUZZI, ROCCO F.
Synopsis:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Rocco F. Valuzzi (0-79796), Major, U.S. Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 463 (HMM-463), 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam on March 31, 1971. By his courage, aggressive fighting spirit and steadfast devotion to duty in the face of extreme personal danger, Major Valuzzi upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
Home Town: Brooklyn, New York

Best Regards to you, the family and God Bless.
Bill Connolly

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PS: I have asked Mrs Valluzzi for any pertinent information regarding March 31, 1971 and she is unaware of any of that information.

Also the award is misspelled Valuzzi should be Valluzzi.

Thank you so very much,

Bill Connolly