Luke A. Magliaro, Jr. has a distinguished career marked by his service in the United States Navy, where he achieved the rank of Commander. He served in Vietnam as a Naval Flight Officer with Carrier Air Wing 21 on the USS Hancock in the Gulf of Tonkin. His participation included Operations Babylift, Frequent Wind, and Eagle Pull, and the recovery mission of the SS Mayagüez from Communist forces near Cambodia. After Vietnam, he continued in the Reserve on the USS John F. Kennedy until retiring in 2001.
For his valor and service, Mr. Magliaro received numerous awards: “the National Defense Service Medal,” “the Navy Efficiency ‘E’ Award,” “Navy Unit Citation with three stars,” “the Navy Meritorious Unit Citation with two stars,” “the Navy Sea Service Deployment Award with two stars,” “Vietnam Service Medal,” “Vietnam Campaign Medal,” “Navy Expedition Medal,” “Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with three awards,” and “the Humanitarian Service Medal with three stars.” He also earned personal citations including: “the Navy Marine Corps Medal,” “the Purple Heart,” among others.
Mr. Magliaro became notable for being the first Vietnam veteran elected Post Commander of PFC John J. Oliveri VFW Post 158, under which it received several community service awards and titles such as All-State and All-American Commander. Currently, he serves as Post Quartermaster and Judge Advocate.
He holds significant positions within veterans’ organizations such as National Deputy Chief of Staff for VFW, State Chief of Staff, and Commander of Nassau County Council achieving All-State County Commander status. Additionally, Mr. Magliaro is involved with multiple veterans associations including Inwood Veterans Association as President.
His community involvement extends to serving as a member of Inwood Fire Department and Senior Counselor for Nassau County Critical Incident Crisis team while holding Board certification in acute traumatic stress and PTSD through Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress.
Professionally employed by Town of Hempstead as Veterans Service Counselor, Mr. Magliaro also advises New York State Senator Patricia M. Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick and Assemblyman Ari Brown on veterans affairs.
