Former Army SGT Joe Guagno (1947-2022)

In honor of Memorial Day, I present an excerpt from the interview with former Army SGT Joe Guagno (1947-2022). Joe was born in 1947. He attended Most Holy Trinity High School in Brooklyn, NY. In 1964, he swore in to the Army at just 17 years old, and his MOS was 11B Infantry. He did his basic training and AIT at Ft. Gordon, GA. His first assignment, was to Ft.Wainwright, AK as part of the 4th BN, 9th ID. Later in the year, his unit was transferred to Hawaii and became part of the 25th ID. After jungle training at Schofield barracks, he was sent to Vietnam in 1966. Joe became a “tunnel rat” and instructor on the M-60 machine gun. He was wounded towards the end of his tour, but successfully completed his 12 months of wartime service. After being flown back to the States, SGT Guagno exited the military in 1968. He earned a Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and Combat Infantryman’s badge.