Phil Piazza died Sunday May 29, 2011 at 4:30 pm at the age of 94. As a volunteer and member of the famed Merrill's Marauders he was one of the three hundred or so survivors of the original 3,000 members of that elite volunteer unit.
Captain Piazza held the Bronze Star with Combat "V", two Purple Hearts and numerous other awards and citations. He was the founder of the Merrill's Marauders Association and was an Inductee into the Ranger Hall of Fame. He made Clemson, South Carolina his home on his retirement with his wife and three daughters.
On Thursday, June 2, 2011 Captain Piazza was buries with full military honors at the M. J. "Dolly" Cooper Veterans Cemetery in Anderson, SC. An Honor Guard from various Special Operations Units was on hand to Honor this respected veteran, including the 75th Ranger Regiment; the Ranger Training Brigade; and representatives from the 101st Airborne and 82nd Airborne Divisions, and Special Forces. Several of his fellow Ranger Hall of Fame members were also present. President Butch Nery and Thomas Unger represented the United States Army Ranger Association in paying its respects.
