Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army. Vietnam War.
Ace Alan Cozzalio was born on 19 August 1946 in Ashland, OR, the son of George Benton and Jan Protsman Carlisle. He was raised on the Klamath River family ranch on the California-Oregon border. He attended elementary schools in Ashland and Hornbrook, CA and high school in Yreka and Sacramento, CA. He later worked as a cook and assistant manager at the International House of Pancakes (IHOP), in Sacramento.
He was drafted into the U.S. Army on 9 February 1966. As an enlisted man, he trained in Armor and was then selected to attend Armor Officer Candidate School. Upon graduation from OCS, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant of Armor and admitted to the Army Aviation School (6 March - 24 October 1967) for training as a Rotary Wing Aviator.
On 11 December 1967, Second Lieutenant Cozzalio went to South Vietnam to serve the first of 3 tours he would spend in that country. During that tour he served with Troop D, 3rd Squadron, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division as Section Leader of the Aero Scout Platoon. From 2 January to 9 February 1968, he was being treated at the 106th General Hospital in Yokohama, Japan. He returned to Vietnam and from 10 April to 16 May was the Aero Scout Section Leader and, on 17 May to 10 December, was the Aero Scout Section Commander. On 11 December 1968, he became Commander of the Aero Weapons Platoon flying the Huey Cobra helicopter.
On 25 January 1969, 1LT Cozzalio was flying near Phu My Village in Dinh Tuong Province. An infantry company was crossing an open field when one of the elements suddenly received fire from an enemy bunker complex, killing 5 men and wounding several others. The proximity of the Americans to the communists and the difficulty of pinpointing the hostile strongholds made it nearly impossible for supporting helicopters to attack the enemy. 1LT Cozzalio landed his Cobra gunship and switched to a light observation helicopter to increase his maneuverability. Despite intense small arms, machine gun and anti-aircraft fire, he hovered ten feet above the bunker and made a nose dive, destroying the fortification with mini gun fire and fragmentation grenades. After landing to brief the ground commander on the best route of assault, he returned to his Cobra and kept the enemy troops pinned down until the ground unit overran them. 1LT Cozzalio's extraordinary heroism earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.
Now-Captain Cozzalio remained as Commander of the Aero Weapons Platoon until 29 May 1969 when he returned to the U.S. After leave, from 10 July 1969 to 9 April 1970, he attended the Armor Officer Advanced Course at Fort Knox, KY. He was then assigned to 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley, KS, as the S-1 Officer, until 23 July 1970. He then served as Troop Commander Air Cavalry Troop D, 4th Cavalry, until 3 February 1972.
He attended an Aviation Safety Course at San Pedro, CA, during the period 27 March - 9 June 1972. Cozzalio served as the Rotary Wing Section Leader and Unit Aviation Safety Officer from 19 July to 15 October 1972. He then served as Special Services Officer in Thailand until 17 January 1973 when he became the Rotary Wing Section Leader / Safety Officer, also in Thailand, until 20 May 1974.
From 21 May 1974 to 18 August 1975, he was a student at Sul Ross University in Texas. His next assignment was as Area Commander New Haven, District Recruiting, Springfield, MA from 16 August 1975 to 24 August 1977. On 25 August 1977, now-Major Cozzalio was assigned as S3 Tactical/Training Operations, 501st Aviation Battalion, 1st Brigade, 1st Armored Division at Katterbach Germany. On 23 February 1979, he was 501st Aviation Company Commander B Attack, also in Katterbach.
He attended the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, KS, 1980-81. Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, he became Commander of the combined ROTCs at the University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, 1981-84; and Commander, 4th Aviation Training Battalion, Fort Rucker, Dothan, AL, from 1984-86. LTC Cozzalio contracted Epstein Barr virus cardiomyopath and was medically retired from the Army in 1986.
During his three tours in Vietnam, Cozzalio was shot down 6 times. In Vietnam, his call signs were 'Warwagon 10' and 'Crusader.'
Post-Military Life
After retirement, Cozzalio returned to the family ranch to live.
In 1992, he was required to live in Portland, OR, to be available for a heart transplant. A heart became available seven months later and the transplant took place on 28 April 1993. The transplanted heart was defective and Cozzalio died in the early morning of 30 April.
Medals, Awards and Badges
Distinguished Service Cross
Silver Star Medal
Bronze Star Medal (Merit) with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Purple Heart with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Meritorious Service Medal with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Air Medal with Valor Device
Army Commendation Medal
Army Achievement Medal
Army Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal with Silver and Bronze Star
Armed Forces Reserve Medal
Army Service Ribbon
Army Overseas Service Ribbon
Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation Medal
Vietnam Civil Actions Medal
Army Master Aviator Badge
Air Assault Badge
Distinguished Service Cross Citation
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Armor) Alan A. Cozzalio (ASN: 0-5241198), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Troop D, 3d Squadron, 5th Cavalry, 9th Infantry Division. First Lieutenant Cozzalio distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 25 January 1969 as a helicopter pilot near Phu My Village in Dinh Tuong Province. An infantry company was crossing an open field when one of the elements suddenly received fire from an enemy bunker complex, killing five men and wounding several others. The proximity of the Americans to the communists and the difficulty of pinpointing the hostile strongholds made it nearly impossible for supporting helicopters to attack the foe. Lieutenant Cozzalio landed his Cobra gun ship and switched to a light observation helicopter to increase his maneuverability. Despite intense small arms, machine gun and anti-aircraft fire, he hovered ten feet above the bunker and made a nose dive, destroying the fortification with mini gun fire and fragmentation grenades. After landing to brief the ground commander on the best route of assault, he returned to his Cobra and kept the enemy troops pinned down until the ground unit overran them. First Lieutenant Cozzalio's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 1618 (May 7, 1969)
Honors
Lieutenant Colonel Ace Alan Cozzalio has Honoree Record 310680, with biography, at MilitaryHallofHonor.com.
Ace Alan Cozzalio was born on 19 August 1946 in Ashland, OR, the son of George Benton and Jan Protsman Carlisle. He was raised on the Klamath River family ranch on the California-Oregon border. He attended elementary schools in Ashland and Hornbrook, CA and high school in Yreka and Sacramento, CA. He later worked as a cook and assistant manager at the International House of Pancakes (IHOP), in Sacramento.
He was drafted into the U.S. Army on 9 February 1966. As an enlisted man, he trained in Armor and was then selected to attend Armor Officer Candidate School. Upon graduation from OCS, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant of Armor and admitted to the Army Aviation School (6 March - 24 October 1967) for training as a Rotary Wing Aviator.
On 11 December 1967, Second Lieutenant Cozzalio went to South Vietnam to serve the first of 3 tours he would spend in that country. During that tour he served with Troop D, 3rd Squadron, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division as Section Leader of the Aero Scout Platoon. From 2 January to 9 February 1968, he was being treated at the 106th General Hospital in Yokohama, Japan. He returned to Vietnam and from 10 April to 16 May was the Aero Scout Section Leader and, on 17 May to 10 December, was the Aero Scout Section Commander. On 11 December 1968, he became Commander of the Aero Weapons Platoon flying the Huey Cobra helicopter.
On 25 January 1969, 1LT Cozzalio was flying near Phu My Village in Dinh Tuong Province. An infantry company was crossing an open field when one of the elements suddenly received fire from an enemy bunker complex, killing 5 men and wounding several others. The proximity of the Americans to the communists and the difficulty of pinpointing the hostile strongholds made it nearly impossible for supporting helicopters to attack the enemy. 1LT Cozzalio landed his Cobra gunship and switched to a light observation helicopter to increase his maneuverability. Despite intense small arms, machine gun and anti-aircraft fire, he hovered ten feet above the bunker and made a nose dive, destroying the fortification with mini gun fire and fragmentation grenades. After landing to brief the ground commander on the best route of assault, he returned to his Cobra and kept the enemy troops pinned down until the ground unit overran them. 1LT Cozzalio's extraordinary heroism earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.
Now-Captain Cozzalio remained as Commander of the Aero Weapons Platoon until 29 May 1969 when he returned to the U.S. After leave, from 10 July 1969 to 9 April 1970, he attended the Armor Officer Advanced Course at Fort Knox, KY. He was then assigned to 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley, KS, as the S-1 Officer, until 23 July 1970. He then served as Troop Commander Air Cavalry Troop D, 4th Cavalry, until 3 February 1972.
He attended an Aviation Safety Course at San Pedro, CA, during the period 27 March - 9 June 1972. Cozzalio served as the Rotary Wing Section Leader and Unit Aviation Safety Officer from 19 July to 15 October 1972. He then served as Special Services Officer in Thailand until 17 January 1973 when he became the Rotary Wing Section Leader / Safety Officer, also in Thailand, until 20 May 1974.
From 21 May 1974 to 18 August 1975, he was a student at Sul Ross University in Texas. His next assignment was as Area Commander New Haven, District Recruiting, Springfield, MA from 16 August 1975 to 24 August 1977. On 25 August 1977, now-Major Cozzalio was assigned as S3 Tactical/Training Operations, 501st Aviation Battalion, 1st Brigade, 1st Armored Division at Katterbach Germany. On 23 February 1979, he was 501st Aviation Company Commander B Attack, also in Katterbach.
He attended the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, KS, 1980-81. Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, he became Commander of the combined ROTCs at the University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, 1981-84; and Commander, 4th Aviation Training Battalion, Fort Rucker, Dothan, AL, from 1984-86. LTC Cozzalio contracted Epstein Barr virus cardiomyopath and was medically retired from the Army in 1986.
During his three tours in Vietnam, Cozzalio was shot down 6 times. In Vietnam, his call signs were 'Warwagon 10' and 'Crusader.'
Post-Military Life
After retirement, Cozzalio returned to the family ranch to live.
In 1992, he was required to live in Portland, OR, to be available for a heart transplant. A heart became available seven months later and the transplant took place on 28 April 1993. The transplanted heart was defective and Cozzalio died in the early morning of 30 April.
Medals, Awards and Badges
Distinguished Service Cross
Silver Star Medal
Bronze Star Medal (Merit) with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Purple Heart with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Meritorious Service Medal with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Air Medal with Valor Device
Army Commendation Medal
Army Achievement Medal
Army Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal with Silver and Bronze Star
Armed Forces Reserve Medal
Army Service Ribbon
Army Overseas Service Ribbon
Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation Medal
Vietnam Civil Actions Medal
Army Master Aviator Badge
Air Assault Badge
Distinguished Service Cross Citation
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Armor) Alan A. Cozzalio (ASN: 0-5241198), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Troop D, 3d Squadron, 5th Cavalry, 9th Infantry Division. First Lieutenant Cozzalio distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 25 January 1969 as a helicopter pilot near Phu My Village in Dinh Tuong Province. An infantry company was crossing an open field when one of the elements suddenly received fire from an enemy bunker complex, killing five men and wounding several others. The proximity of the Americans to the communists and the difficulty of pinpointing the hostile strongholds made it nearly impossible for supporting helicopters to attack the foe. Lieutenant Cozzalio landed his Cobra gun ship and switched to a light observation helicopter to increase his maneuverability. Despite intense small arms, machine gun and anti-aircraft fire, he hovered ten feet above the bunker and made a nose dive, destroying the fortification with mini gun fire and fragmentation grenades. After landing to brief the ground commander on the best route of assault, he returned to his Cobra and kept the enemy troops pinned down until the ground unit overran them. First Lieutenant Cozzalio's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 1618 (May 7, 1969)
Honors
Lieutenant Colonel Ace Alan Cozzalio has Honoree Record 310680, with biography, at MilitaryHallofHonor.com.
Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army. Vietnam War.
Ace Alan Cozzalio was born on 19 August 1946 in Ashland, OR, the son of George Benton and Jan Protsman Carlisle. He was raised on the Klamath River family ranch on the California-Oregon border. He attended elementary schools in Ashland and Hornbrook, CA and high school in Yreka and Sacramento, CA. He later worked as a cook and assistant manager at the International House of Pancakes (IHOP), in Sacramento.
He was drafted into the U.S. Army on 9 February 1966. As an enlisted man, he trained in Armor and was then selected to attend Armor Officer Candidate School. Upon graduation from OCS, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant of Armor and admitted to the Army Aviation School (6 March - 24 October 1967) for training as a Rotary Wing Aviator.
On 11 December 1967, Second Lieutenant Cozzalio went to South Vietnam to serve the first of 3 tours he would spend in that country. During that tour he served with Troop D, 3rd Squadron, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division as Section Leader of the Aero Scout Platoon. From 2 January to 9 February 1968, he was being treated at the 106th General Hospital in Yokohama, Japan. He returned to Vietnam and from 10 April to 16 May was the Aero Scout Section Leader and, on 17 May to 10 December, was the Aero Scout Section Commander. On 11 December 1968, he became Commander of the Aero Weapons Platoon flying the Huey Cobra helicopter.
On 25 January 1969, 1LT Cozzalio was flying near Phu My Village in Dinh Tuong Province. An infantry company was crossing an open field when one of the elements suddenly received fire from an enemy bunker complex, killing 5 men and wounding several others. The proximity of the Americans to the communists and the difficulty of pinpointing the hostile strongholds made it nearly impossible for supporting helicopters to attack the enemy. 1LT Cozzalio landed his Cobra gunship and switched to a light observation helicopter to increase his maneuverability. Despite intense small arms, machine gun and anti-aircraft fire, he hovered ten feet above the bunker and made a nose dive, destroying the fortification with mini gun fire and fragmentation grenades. After landing to brief the ground commander on the best route of assault, he returned to his Cobra and kept the enemy troops pinned down until the ground unit overran them. 1LT Cozzalio's extraordinary heroism earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.
Now-Captain Cozzalio remained as Commander of the Aero Weapons Platoon until 29 May 1969 when he returned to the U.S. After leave, from 10 July 1969 to 9 April 1970, he attended the Armor Officer Advanced Course at Fort Knox, KY. He was then assigned to 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley, KS, as the S-1 Officer, until 23 July 1970. He then served as Troop Commander Air Cavalry Troop D, 4th Cavalry, until 3 February 1972.
He attended an Aviation Safety Course at San Pedro, CA, during the period 27 March - 9 June 1972. Cozzalio served as the Rotary Wing Section Leader and Unit Aviation Safety Officer from 19 July to 15 October 1972. He then served as Special Services Officer in Thailand until 17 January 1973 when he became the Rotary Wing Section Leader / Safety Officer, also in Thailand, until 20 May 1974.
From 21 May 1974 to 18 August 1975, he was a student at Sul Ross University in Texas. His next assignment was as Area Commander New Haven, District Recruiting, Springfield, MA from 16 August 1975 to 24 August 1977. On 25 August 1977, now-Major Cozzalio was assigned as S3 Tactical/Training Operations, 501st Aviation Battalion, 1st Brigade, 1st Armored Division at Katterbach Germany. On 23 February 1979, he was 501st Aviation Company Commander B Attack, also in Katterbach.
He attended the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, KS, 1980-81. Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, he became Commander of the combined ROTCs at the University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, 1981-84; and Commander, 4th Aviation Training Battalion, Fort Rucker, Dothan, AL, from 1984-86. LTC Cozzalio contracted Epstein Barr virus cardiomyopath and was medically retired from the Army in 1986.
During his three tours in Vietnam, Cozzalio was shot down 6 times. In Vietnam, his call signs were 'Warwagon 10' and 'Crusader.'
Post-Military Life
After retirement, Cozzalio returned to the family ranch to live.
In 1992, he was required to live in Portland, OR, to be available for a heart transplant. A heart became available seven months later and the transplant took place on 28 April 1993. The transplanted heart was defective and Cozzalio died in the early morning of 30 April.
Medals, Awards and Badges
Distinguished Service Cross
Silver Star Medal
Bronze Star Medal (Merit) with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Purple Heart with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Meritorious Service Medal with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Air Medal with Valor Device
Army Commendation Medal
Army Achievement Medal
Army Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal with Silver and Bronze Star
Armed Forces Reserve Medal
Army Service Ribbon
Army Overseas Service Ribbon
Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation Medal
Vietnam Civil Actions Medal
Army Master Aviator Badge
Air Assault Badge
Distinguished Service Cross Citation
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Armor) Alan A. Cozzalio (ASN: 0-5241198), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Troop D, 3d Squadron, 5th Cavalry, 9th Infantry Division. First Lieutenant Cozzalio distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 25 January 1969 as a helicopter pilot near Phu My Village in Dinh Tuong Province. An infantry company was crossing an open field when one of the elements suddenly received fire from an enemy bunker complex, killing five men and wounding several others. The proximity of the Americans to the communists and the difficulty of pinpointing the hostile strongholds made it nearly impossible for supporting helicopters to attack the foe. Lieutenant Cozzalio landed his Cobra gun ship and switched to a light observation helicopter to increase his maneuverability. Despite intense small arms, machine gun and anti-aircraft fire, he hovered ten feet above the bunker and made a nose dive, destroying the fortification with mini gun fire and fragmentation grenades. After landing to brief the ground commander on the best route of assault, he returned to his Cobra and kept the enemy troops pinned down until the ground unit overran them. First Lieutenant Cozzalio's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 1618 (May 7, 1969)
Honors
Lieutenant Colonel Ace Alan Cozzalio has Honoree Record 310680, with biography, at MilitaryHallofHonor.com.
Ace Alan Cozzalio was born on 19 August 1946 in Ashland, OR, the son of George Benton and Jan Protsman Carlisle. He was raised on the Klamath River family ranch on the California-Oregon border. He attended elementary schools in Ashland and Hornbrook, CA and high school in Yreka and Sacramento, CA. He later worked as a cook and assistant manager at the International House of Pancakes (IHOP), in Sacramento.
He was drafted into the U.S. Army on 9 February 1966. As an enlisted man, he trained in Armor and was then selected to attend Armor Officer Candidate School. Upon graduation from OCS, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant of Armor and admitted to the Army Aviation School (6 March - 24 October 1967) for training as a Rotary Wing Aviator.
On 11 December 1967, Second Lieutenant Cozzalio went to South Vietnam to serve the first of 3 tours he would spend in that country. During that tour he served with Troop D, 3rd Squadron, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division as Section Leader of the Aero Scout Platoon. From 2 January to 9 February 1968, he was being treated at the 106th General Hospital in Yokohama, Japan. He returned to Vietnam and from 10 April to 16 May was the Aero Scout Section Leader and, on 17 May to 10 December, was the Aero Scout Section Commander. On 11 December 1968, he became Commander of the Aero Weapons Platoon flying the Huey Cobra helicopter.
On 25 January 1969, 1LT Cozzalio was flying near Phu My Village in Dinh Tuong Province. An infantry company was crossing an open field when one of the elements suddenly received fire from an enemy bunker complex, killing 5 men and wounding several others. The proximity of the Americans to the communists and the difficulty of pinpointing the hostile strongholds made it nearly impossible for supporting helicopters to attack the enemy. 1LT Cozzalio landed his Cobra gunship and switched to a light observation helicopter to increase his maneuverability. Despite intense small arms, machine gun and anti-aircraft fire, he hovered ten feet above the bunker and made a nose dive, destroying the fortification with mini gun fire and fragmentation grenades. After landing to brief the ground commander on the best route of assault, he returned to his Cobra and kept the enemy troops pinned down until the ground unit overran them. 1LT Cozzalio's extraordinary heroism earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.
Now-Captain Cozzalio remained as Commander of the Aero Weapons Platoon until 29 May 1969 when he returned to the U.S. After leave, from 10 July 1969 to 9 April 1970, he attended the Armor Officer Advanced Course at Fort Knox, KY. He was then assigned to 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley, KS, as the S-1 Officer, until 23 July 1970. He then served as Troop Commander Air Cavalry Troop D, 4th Cavalry, until 3 February 1972.
He attended an Aviation Safety Course at San Pedro, CA, during the period 27 March - 9 June 1972. Cozzalio served as the Rotary Wing Section Leader and Unit Aviation Safety Officer from 19 July to 15 October 1972. He then served as Special Services Officer in Thailand until 17 January 1973 when he became the Rotary Wing Section Leader / Safety Officer, also in Thailand, until 20 May 1974.
From 21 May 1974 to 18 August 1975, he was a student at Sul Ross University in Texas. His next assignment was as Area Commander New Haven, District Recruiting, Springfield, MA from 16 August 1975 to 24 August 1977. On 25 August 1977, now-Major Cozzalio was assigned as S3 Tactical/Training Operations, 501st Aviation Battalion, 1st Brigade, 1st Armored Division at Katterbach Germany. On 23 February 1979, he was 501st Aviation Company Commander B Attack, also in Katterbach.
He attended the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, KS, 1980-81. Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, he became Commander of the combined ROTCs at the University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, 1981-84; and Commander, 4th Aviation Training Battalion, Fort Rucker, Dothan, AL, from 1984-86. LTC Cozzalio contracted Epstein Barr virus cardiomyopath and was medically retired from the Army in 1986.
During his three tours in Vietnam, Cozzalio was shot down 6 times. In Vietnam, his call signs were 'Warwagon 10' and 'Crusader.'
Post-Military Life
After retirement, Cozzalio returned to the family ranch to live.
In 1992, he was required to live in Portland, OR, to be available for a heart transplant. A heart became available seven months later and the transplant took place on 28 April 1993. The transplanted heart was defective and Cozzalio died in the early morning of 30 April.
Medals, Awards and Badges
Distinguished Service Cross
Silver Star Medal
Bronze Star Medal (Merit) with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Purple Heart with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Meritorious Service Medal with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Air Medal with Valor Device
Army Commendation Medal
Army Achievement Medal
Army Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal with Silver and Bronze Star
Armed Forces Reserve Medal
Army Service Ribbon
Army Overseas Service Ribbon
Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation Medal
Vietnam Civil Actions Medal
Army Master Aviator Badge
Air Assault Badge
Distinguished Service Cross Citation
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Armor) Alan A. Cozzalio (ASN: 0-5241198), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Troop D, 3d Squadron, 5th Cavalry, 9th Infantry Division. First Lieutenant Cozzalio distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 25 January 1969 as a helicopter pilot near Phu My Village in Dinh Tuong Province. An infantry company was crossing an open field when one of the elements suddenly received fire from an enemy bunker complex, killing five men and wounding several others. The proximity of the Americans to the communists and the difficulty of pinpointing the hostile strongholds made it nearly impossible for supporting helicopters to attack the foe. Lieutenant Cozzalio landed his Cobra gun ship and switched to a light observation helicopter to increase his maneuverability. Despite intense small arms, machine gun and anti-aircraft fire, he hovered ten feet above the bunker and made a nose dive, destroying the fortification with mini gun fire and fragmentation grenades. After landing to brief the ground commander on the best route of assault, he returned to his Cobra and kept the enemy troops pinned down until the ground unit overran them. First Lieutenant Cozzalio's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 1618 (May 7, 1969)
Honors
Lieutenant Colonel Ace Alan Cozzalio has Honoree Record 310680, with biography, at MilitaryHallofHonor.com.
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
