Philip Thomas Randazzo was born in Grosse Point, Michigan. He graduated high school in 1965 and continued his education at a barber’s college. As a student Randazzo received two draft notices, but was able to defer both. At age 20 he received his third draft notice nine months in advance, and so was unable to defer. He joined May 8, 1967, at Fort Wayne, Indiana, before going to Fort Knox, Kentucky.
After graduating from basic training, Randazzo remained at Fort Knox for advanced individual training. There hetrained as a reconnaissance scout, with the duties of locating, engaging, and maintaining contact with the enemy until help arrived. Randazzo flew to Bình Hòa, Vietnam, and arrived at Củ Chi Base Camp, the headquarters of the 25th Infantry Division, via a C-130 for another five days of training.
The weapons and vehicles Randazzo learned in basic training were not the ones he used in Vietnam. He learned how to use the new weapons through experience. Randazzo spent approximately four months engaging the enemy with his reconnaissance team as part of the mechanized cavalry. He and his team were pulled back to Củ Chi on Jan. 30, 1968; he later fought in Saigon and Tan Son Nhut during the Tet Offensive.
During his service, Randazzo received two Bronze Stars, a Purple Heart, a Good Conduct Medal, a National Defense Medal, a Republic of Vietnam Medal, a Presidential Unit Citation, and a Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross. Randazzo returned home on Sept. 28, 1968.
We honor his service.
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Veterans History Project
This #VeteranOfTheDay profile was created with interviews submitted to the Veterans History Project. The project collects, preserves, and makes accessible the personal accounts of American war Veterans so that future generations may hear directly from Veterans and better understand the realities of war. Find out more at http://www.loc.gov/vets/.
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Editor: Samiha Hoque
Fact checker: Richard Aguilera
Graphic artist: Aiman Alhuda
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