Vitagliano, Thomas Erik
Male
Verified U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Thomas Erik Vitagliano, 33, of New Haven, Connecticut, was killed by hostile fire on January 17, 2005, in Ar Ramadi, Iraq.
Their Story
Thomas Erik Vitagliano was a 33-year-old Staff Sergeant from New Haven, Connecticut. He served with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, part of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, based out of Fort Carson, Colorado.
On January 17, 2005, Vitagliano was on patrol in the city of Ar Ramadi, a volatile insurgent stronghold in Iraq's Anbar province. According to U.S. military reports, his unit came under small-arms fire. Vitagliano was killed during that engagement.
His death occurred during Operation Iraqi Freedom, a period marked by intense urban combat and a growing insurgency. The city of Ar Ramadi was a focal point for attacks against coalition forces throughout 2004 and 2005, with frequent ambushes and improvised explosive device attacks.
Following his death, the Department of Defense announced the casualty. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart. His remains were returned to the United States for burial.
Vitagliano is memorialized on the Iraq War Veterans Memorial and by his unit. His name is listed among the more than 4,400 U.S. service members who died during the conflict.
Explore Further
Thomas Vitagliano was killed during Operation Iraqi Freedom (2003–2010). The conflict concluded in August 2010. See the full roster of those killed in this conflict.
Among those documented in the same conflict: Kennedy, Brian Matthew, Beaupre, Ryan Anthony, Gutierrez, Jose, Waters-bey, Kendall Damon.
