Brothers Vito, Frank and Anthony Puleio (from left) were honored with a street naming in North Brunswick on Sept. 28. PHOTO COURTESY OF CRAIG YETSKO NORTH BRUNSWICK — The Puleio brothers took part in an honorary street naming for their service to both North Brunswick and to the country.
Vito Puleio, 93, enlisted in the U.S. Army in early 1943. He served as a sergeant first class technician fourth grade in the Calvary Division, qualifying as a rifle sharpshooter.
He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, Victory Ribbon and the American Theatre Ribbon, and was issued the Honorable Service Lapel Button.
He was honorably discharged as a staff sergeant.
Salvatore (Sam) Puleio, 92, was the second brother to be inducted into the U.S. Army in April 1943. He was first to be deployed to the European Theatre of Operations in September 1943.
Sam served with the 1172nd Engineers Combat Group as a technician fifth grade.
While deployed in Paris, Sam was able to meet with his younger brother, Frank, whom he had not seen since leaving for Europe.
Sam participated in the Normandy invasion. He was awarded the European Theater of Operations Medal with two battle stars, the European-African-Middle Eastern Ribbon, the Good Conduct Medal and the Victory Medal.
He was honorably discharged in January 1946.
Frank Puleio Jr., 89, was the third son and second to be deployed to the European Theater of Operations.
Frank was inducted into the Army on May 18, 1944, and shortly after was deployed to Europe. He served as a sergeant in the 89th Infantry Division and was awarded a Bronze Star, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Combat Infantry Badge 1st Award, Marksman Badge with Rifle Bar and Honorable Service Lapel Button WWII.
He was honorably discharged in April 1948.
Anthony Puleio, 88, entered the Army on Jan. 25, 1946.
He held the rank of clerk, general technician fourth grade.
Anthony served as a general clerk at Kennedy General Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, and Oliver General Hospital in Augusta, Georgia. He worked in the orthopedic clinics at both hospitals.
Anthony was awarded the Good Conduct Medal and the Marksman Badge with Rifle Bar.
He was honorably discharged on April 26, 1947.
The Puleios were honored with a secondary street sign at First Avenue and Center Street that says “Puleio Way” on Sept. 28 as part of North Brunswick’s Veteran Street Sign Program, which allows township residents who were wartime veterans to be recognized by adding their name on a secondary street sign to an existing municipal road.
To be considered for the program, call the Department of Parks, Recreation & Community Services at 732-247-0922, ext. 475.