New York Military Museum Hosts Veteran of the Year Event Saturday, Nov. 2

MEDIA ADVISORY

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (11/01/2019) — The New York State Military Museum will host the 2019 Veteran of the Year Award sponsored by the Association of the United States Army and the Friends of the New York State Military Museum on Saturday, Nov. 2 at 1 p.m.

The ceremony will recognize Albany resident John W. Sacca, an Army veteran of the Vietnam War.

WHAT: Presentation of the 2019 Veteran of the Year Award

WHO: Albany resident and Vietnam Veteran John Sacca, joined by Congressman Paul Tonko, Saratoga Springs Mayor Megan Kelly and New York Army National Guard Brig. Gen. John Andonie.

WHEN: Saturday, November 2, at 1 p.m.

WHERE: New York State Military Museum, 61 Lake Avenue, Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

The public is welcome to attend. Refreshments donated by Dunkin' Donuts.

John Sacca enlisted in the U.S. Army in August 1966, and was first posted to the 8th Army in South Korea.

In May 1967 he requested an inter-theater transfer to Vietnam and was assigned to the 79th Maintenance Battalion where he served through the 1968 Tet Offensive and was promoted to Specialist.

He extended in Vietnam at the end of his tour to transfer to the 1st Cavalry Division (Air Mobile). Assigned to C Troop, 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry, Sacca served as a door gunner on a Huey gunship and later as radio operator in the troop's infantry platoon.

He participated in cavalry raids in the A Shau Valley west of Hue, recon missions along the Demiltarized Zone and west of Hue, then down south around Saigon.

Sacca left Vietnam in February 1969, joining the New York Army National Guard and was promoted to sergeant in the 1st Battalion, 210th Armor Regiment here in the Capital Region.

He would later serve in the Army Reserve's 98th Training Division as a senior instructor for the Battalion Training Maintenance System. He left the military service in 1991.

In 1995 Sacca received a commission as a captain in the New York Guard State Defense Force and served with other volunteers as a personnel officer for the 10th Brigade in Troy, N.Y.

He served in various positions as part of the state militia, receiving promotions to both major and later lieutenant colonel in 2006, retiring in October 2013.

Among his many awards and decorations are the Valorous Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Army Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Army Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster, National Defense Service Medal and Vietnam Service Medal with four campaign stars.

He has 43 years teaching in Capital District schools at middle school, high school and college levels. He is a 1975 graduate of the University at Albany, has two Masters Degrees, one from the University at Albany (1976) and one from College of St Rose (1979) and a Doctor of Philosophy from University at Albany (1989). He has published numerous articles and papers and is an active member of several Academic Organizations.

John and his wife Hiesook Kim have two sons and reside in Albany, N.Y.

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