Vincent Joseph Gigliotti's Obituary
Vincent Joseph Gigliotti, at the age of 94, died from natural causes on December 17, 2022, at his home in Lanham, MD.
Vincent was born December 23, 1927, in Norristown, PA to Angelo and Elizabeth Gigliotti. He attended Temple University.
Chief Warrant Officer (CWO4) Vincent J. Gigliotti U.S. Army Reserve began his service to this nation some 76 years ago, when at the age of 17, he joined the 408th Quartermaster Company, 11th Airborne Division "Angels" during the occupation of Japan after their surrender in 1945. He was promoted to the rank of Corporal and earned the role of company Squad Leader prior to separating from active service and transferring to the Army Reserve in 1948. Sustaining near continuous service, his U.S. Army Reserve contributions included assignment to 223rd MI Company in Southern Maryland, and 97 Arcom 175th Signal Battalion at Fort Meade, Maryland. His military service spanned nearly two generations from 1946 to 1989 supporting the conclusion of World War II and operations in every major conflict of the United States for 43 years. His accolades are numerous and most notably include distinguished service medals such as the Meritorious Service Medals, World War II Victory Medal, and Army of Occupation Medal Japan. After serving in the U.S. Army, he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Maryland Defense Forces and continued to provide leadership and immeasurable experience in defense of the State of Maryland. Truly, a member of the "Greatest Generation" Vincent J. Gigliotti honorably served this nation for over 50 years embodying the US Army core values of "Duty, Honor, and Selfless Service."
In 1963, he moved his family to Greenbelt, MD to begin his career as a Contract Specialist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. His tenure, working in various positions for 47 years until his retirement in 2012 at the age of 84, allowed him the honor of supporting many historic NASA Space Missions.
He spent his final years with his wife Rita watching old westerns accompanied by his beloved dog Coco.
Vincent is survived by his loving wife Rita, his three sons: Gregory Gigliotti; his wife Kathy, Steven Gigliotti, Vinny Gigliotti, and his wife Joan. His six Grandchildren: Anthony Gigliotti; his wife Sarah, Craig May, Jake Gigliotti; his wife Lindsay, Nicholas Gigliotti, Sophia Dippel; her husband Andrew, Gabriel Gigliotti. His seven Great Grandchildren: Ryan May, Joshua May, Anthony Gigliotti, Andrew Gigliotti, Owen Gigliotti, Emilia Gigliotti and Giana Gigliotti. His sister Gloria Ninke and brother Felix P Gigliotti. He was preceded in death by his parents Angelo and Elizabeth and his sister Mary Giaimo.
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