2023 Hall of Fame Inductee
Penn State University (1964)
Col. (Ret.) Vincent J. Tedesco, Jr., was born in Jamaica, NY, January 29, 1943. He attended Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) and earned his Bachelor of Science in Accounting. On campus Tedesco was co-captain of the lacrosse team and a member of Delta Upsilon Fraternity.
Tedesco commissioned in 1964 and began his Army career in the Artillery branch. He commanded 3 batteries, the 1st Battalion 3rd Air Defense Artillery, 101st Airborne Division and the 6th Air Defense Artillery Brigade.
Commanding an ADA battalion and brigade as a senior officer, his hallmark was as a young Captain earning a Silver Star for gallantry in Vietnam in 1968 where his reaction force relieved an ambushed convoy. He was cited for determined leadership and courage under fire from a numerically superior force which turned the tide of the battle and resulted in the extraction of the wounded and ambushed column.
After 27 years of service, Tedesco retired from the Army in 1991 as a colonel. His military awards and achievements include the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit (2), the Bronze Star, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (4), the Army Commendation Medal, the Joint Service Achievement Medal and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star.
After his retirement, the Army honored Tedesco by making him the Honorary Colonel of the 44th Air Defense Artillery Regiment. He has also received other honors to include having a street, Tedesco Way, at Fort Cavazos, Texas named for him; the leadership award for lieutenants at the Air Defense Artillery School is named in his honor; a picture was painted of the fight he led in Vietnam and a wing in Snow Hall, the home of the Air Defense Artillery, and Field Artillery has been named Tedesco Wing.
Following his retirement, Tedesco worked for Lockheed Martin until 2011. During his time with the company, Tedesco was awarded the Washington Award 6 times, the Washington Community Service Award, and in 2005 the highest award that can be given to a Lockheed Martin employee, the Nova Award.
Tedesco has actively supported Penn State Army ROTC for over 30 years, attending every formal and social event, serving as a personal mentor to each new ADA officer, delivering countless commissioning remarks, and encouraging Cadets and Cadre along the way. He created and sponsored an endowed scholarship for Penn State Army ROTC Cadets and frequently supports the program during university financial development drives.
About the Army ROTC Hall of Fame
The ROTC Hall of Fame was established in 2016 as part of the ROTC Centennial celebration. The first class (2016) inducted 326 former ROTC Cadets who had distinguished themselves in their military or civilian career.
The Hall of Fame honors graduates of the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps who have distinguished themselves in military or civilian pursuits. It provides a prestigious and tangible means of recognizing and honoring Army ROTC Alumni who have made lasting, significant contributions to the Nation, the Army and the history and traditions of the Army ROTC Program.
Read more about the 2023 Hall of Fame Inductees.
Social Sharing