LTC (R) Nicholas M. Laiacona, graduated from Siena College in 1966. In November 1968 Nick arrived in Vietnam and was assigned to the 9th Infantry Division in the Mekong Delta. Nick was assigned as a Platoon Leader in the Mobile Riverine Force (MRF), 2nd Brigade, 3rd Battalion 60th Infantry, C Company, 1st Platoon. This was his first real test in the Army to demonstrate exceptional leadership. Under hostile fire and numerous booby traps Nick led his platoon in the jungles of Vietnam. Operating for months on end on both small boats (Tango boats, APCs on water) or by helicopter insertion. Nick flew over 100 combat missions with his platoon and untold number of missions from the water. Although his platoon had a lot of wounded soldiers, including Nick, he never lost a man while he was a platoon leader. He volunteered for three special operations dropping in on VC strongholds in the middle of the night via helicopter with a team of 12 men. Later in his tour Nick was made C Company Commander based on his exceptional leadership skills and in his words “the fact no Captains were available because of the attrition rate”.
During his service in combat Nick was awarded four Bronze Stars all for Valor, one Army Commendation for Valor, a Purple Heart, four Air Medals and the Combat Infantry Badge (CIB). His other awards include: a Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster (OLC), Meritorious Service Medal with 3 OLCs, Army Commendation Medal for Valor with 4 OLCs, National Defense Service Medal with star, Vietnam Service Medal with 4 stars, Korean Defense Medal and other US and Vietnam service awards.
He is a graduate of the US Army Command and General Staff College, the Program Management Course, the Materiel Acquisition Management Course and was Distinguished Graduate of the Management of Defense Acquisition Contracts Course.
Nick retired with over 24 years of active service. After his military service, Nick worked for several corporations in support of US Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering where he used his expertise developed in his US Army career to further support the US Army technical developments and ammunitions. He also was very active in several Veterans organizations, most notably, the Association of the US Army where he was President of the Capital District Chapter and continues to serve on its Executive Committee. He also has been and is very active in the La Salle Institute Alumni Association where he recently completed a five year term as President
Nick is a 1962 graduate of La Salle Institute, a 1966 graduate of Siena College and has two Masters Degrees, one from Troy State University (1980) and one from Florida Institute of Technology (1992). Nick and his wife Christina have three sons and reside in Bolton Landing, NY.