Joe Altimari
United States Army veteran Joe Altimari speaks with a group of students on 11 April 2011. Mr. Altimari talks about his time as a soldier in about his experience as a veteran of that war, and about his trip back to Vietnam on business (2004). The meeting took place in the Special Collections Room of the Harvey Francis Green Library on the campus of West Chester University. It constitutes the second event held as part of the Classroom Conversations component of the Soldiers to Scholars Program at West Chester University.
Joseph Altimari, a native of Philadelphia, PA, arrived in Vietnam in June 1969 at the age of nineteen. His assignment to the 132nd Assault Support Helicopter Company (ASHC “Hercules”) tasked Mr. Altimari as a door gunner on CH-47 Chinooks.
Joseph Altimari, a native of Philadelphia, PA, arrived in Vietnam in June 1969 at the age of nineteen. His assignment to the 132nd Assault Support Helicopter Company (ASHC “Hercules”) tasked Mr. Altimari as a door gunner on CH-47 Chinooks.
Mr. Altimari participated in combat missions until May 1970. The 132nd operated out of Chu Lai, Republic of Vietnam, as part of The Americal Division. Its area of operations extended forty miles to the north and south, and from the South China Sea to the western border of Vietnam. Learn more about the 132nd at http://www.132ashc.org/
For nearly 8 months of his tour in Vietnam, Mr. Altimari served as a platoon sergeant responsible for 48 soldiers. He received 3 air medals (each represents 25 combat missions), one of which was for heroism. Mr. Altimari also earned the bronze star medal during his service in Vietnam.
After Mr. Altimari returned from the war, he attended Temple University before beginning a career in business. He returned to Vietnam on business in 2004 and visited near his former base of operations. Mr. Altimari also visited the My Lai memorial on his return, over thirty years after playing a role in the investigation of the events that transpired there in March 1968.
Mr. Altimari continues his successful career in business while residing in Exton, Pennsylvania.
For nearly 8 months of his tour in Vietnam, Mr. Altimari served as a platoon sergeant responsible for 48 soldiers. He received 3 air medals (each represents 25 combat missions), one of which was for heroism. Mr. Altimari also earned the bronze star medal during his service in Vietnam.
After Mr. Altimari returned from the war, he attended Temple University before beginning a career in business. He returned to Vietnam on business in 2004 and visited near his former base of operations. Mr. Altimari also visited the My Lai memorial on his return, over thirty years after playing a role in the investigation of the events that transpired there in March 1968.
Mr. Altimari continues his successful career in business while residing in Exton, Pennsylvania.
