Philip John Piccione

He was born July 18, 1930 in Lafayette, Louisiana, and was baptized at the Cathedral of St. John on August 3. He graduated Lafayette High School in 1947 and enlisted in the Air Force in 1948. He returned to college in the Air ROTC and graduated from Southwest Louisiana Institute (UL Lafayette) in 1953 with a degree in Math-Science.

Lt. Colonel Piccione served most of his career in the Strategic Air Command as a Tanker Aircraft Commander, air refueling bomber, flight instructor, and fighter aircraft in Southeast Asia, Africa, Europe and other locations. As commander of many flight crews, Philip Piccione was continually commended for professional excellence. Colonel Winton Close said of Piccione and his flight crew, “To pass these rigorous operational tests takes some doing; to pass them with an OUTSTANDING rating is a magnificent achievement…” Countless letters of commendation to Piccione include words such as professionalism, excellence, precision of performance, dedication, professional knowledge, skill, efficiency, outstanding rating, and sacrifice. Colonel Samuel Dyke wrote, “It is men such as Lt Col Piccione that continue to reflect the professionalism and outstanding talent we have here in the 2d Bomb Wing (of the USAF).”

In 1967 Piccione graduated from the Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Virginia. He was assigned to the Air Systems Command. In January 1968 as Commander of a 21-man flight crew, Piccione piloted tracking ARIA aircraft on a round-the-world flight to support Apollo 5 and NASA’s Lunar Module. The EC-135N A/RIA (Apollo/Range Instrumentation Aircraft) provided a telemetry link between the Apollo 5 spacecraft and Houston Mission Control during moon landings. This 28,000 mile/18 day mission was the peak of a stellar career in the United States Air Force.

Lt. Colonel Piccione was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his service as a Forward Air Controller in Qui Nhon, Republic of Vietnam from 1968 to 1969, flying “hazardous missions through hostile ground fire and attack.” In Vietnam, he flew 260 combat missions in the type O-1 “Bird Dog” Cessna aircraft. For his military service Lt. Colonel Piccione’s other awards include the Air Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, AF Outstanding Unit Award, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross. He retired on July 1, 1971.

After a life-long friendship, Philip Piccione married AF Colonel Jean Mary Migliorino of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on January 9, 2004. After their retirement from the Air Force, Phil and his wife Jean spent all of their time traveling to every country in the world, every state capital, all Canadian provinces, and managed to fit in 34 cruises. Phil and Jean loved life, loved people, and loved to experience other cultures.

Their love for people and their belief in education motivated them to provide at least 22 endowments to universities and colleges in the form of faculty awards and student scholarships. Recipients of their generosity include University of Louisiana at Lafayette, St. Mary’s University, and University of Texas San Antonio.

Philip Piccione was preceded in death by his loving wife, Colonel Jean Mary Migliorino Piccione, USAF Retired, who passed away on December 1, 2021 at the age of 90. He was also preceded in death by his parents, Salvatore Piccione of Poggioreale, Sicily, Italy and the former Anna Maria Mangiapane of Mezzojuso, Sicily, Italy, who owned and operated a small grocery store on Johnston St in downtown Lafayette. Philip was preceded in death by his siblings: Rose Piccione Goff, Eva Piccione, Sam Piccione, Vincent Piccione, Joseph J. Piccione, Frank Piccione, Peter Piccione, Anthony (NuNu) Piccione, and Theresa Piccione. Philip was the last of their generation. Survivors include 13 nieces and nephews, who note that Phil’s love for his family was evident in the twinkling of his caring eyes and his ever-present beautiful smile.

Interment with full military honors will take place at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas on March 1st at 1:15 pm. For more information please check with the family or with Colonial Funeral Home in Universal City, Texas.