Col. Nicholas E. Piccione

Col. Nicholas E. Piccione, Another of the Greatest Generation has risen to a greater glory. Col. Nicholas Earl Piccione, U.S. Army retired, was born January 24, 1913 in Messina, Sicily to Marta Rizzi-tano and Antonino Piccione, and expired at Walnut Place on June 7, 2012. Col. Piccione emigrated with his parents to America in 1921 and grew up in Brooklyn, NY, He graduated from Auburn University in 1937 with a degree in Electrical Engineering. Col. Piccione joined the U.S. Army in 1942 and was sent to Ft. Huachuca in Tucson, AZ. where he was with the 92nd Infantry [Black Division], teaching demolitions in readiness for over-seas. Col Piccione shipped overseas where he saw action in the Mediter-ranean Theater (N. Africa, Italy, Sicily, and France); he was CO and top officer under General Rowney with the 317th Combat Engineers & 442 Neissi Regimen [Japanese Americans]. He saw action with battles and campaigns in Rome, Arno, N. Appennines, and PO Valley. Col. Piccione was decorated with citations and medals: Legion of Merit (x2), Silver Star with Cluster (x2), Bronze Star with Cluster (x3), Purple Heart (x2) for combat infantry, badge of commendation ribbon with cluster, medal for valor under The Crown of Italy, Order of St. George, Order of Concordia. Upon returning to America after WWII, Col. Piccione was an execu-tive with Long Island Lighting Co. with high voltage underground cable; his inventions of under-ground cable were utilized at J.F.K. Airport in NYC. Col. Piccione remained in the US Army Reserves as an instructor at the Engineer School in Ft. Relvoir, Va. Col. Piccione was pre-deceased by his parents, wife, Martha Eugenia Craw-ford March, son, Anthony Piccione, brother, Anthony Piccione, and Craig Chandler Smilie. Survivors: wife, Cora MacKinnon Piccione, daughters: Josephine (Jo Piccione Smilie (Clark), and Mora Piccione, grandchildren: Susan Spencer (Roger Spencer, M.D.), Cyndy Smilie, Clark Smilie JR. (Gina), Nicole Levine, Lisa Garcia (Juan-Antonio), Rachel Curley (Paul), and Sarah Sortino (Chris), great-grand-children: Laura and Steven Spencer, Victoria and Alexandria Smilie, Nino Garcia, Anthony Piccione, Sophia Sortino, and Benny Curley. The family wishes to thank the Staff at Presbyterian Hospital Dallas, Walnut Place, and Faith Presby-terian Hospice for their excellent care, empathy, and support. The family will hold a celebration of life for our beloved patriarch and hero. Internment and Memorial Service with full Military Honors will be held at Calvary Hill Chapel/Mausol-eum on July 14, 2012 at 1:00 p.m.