When I found James D. Visci’s grave marker I could not help but wonder what may have happened to him since his death coincided with his service, yet there was no mention of a Purple Heart on his grave marker. I asked George Toriello if he might be able to find some information on how James D. Visci died.

During the summer of 2017, he made contact with James D. Visci’s sister, Barbara (Visci) Ferraioli, on July 27, 2017 through Facebook. She did not respond till January 24, 2018, but the information clears up the delay and the heart break and sacrifice, military service can bring even to those who did not serve in combat. 

Let us always be grateful for the soldiers’ sacrifice of time in service for you
never know what may happen. 

Written by:
Bob Meli
January 30, 2018

E-mail from James D. Visci's sister, Barbara (Visci) Ferraioli dated January 24, 2018:

Unfortunately, my brother Jimmy died from Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma at 24 years old. I am heartbroken to find out recently that they used Agent Orange in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri to clean the foliage and they used it on the rifle range as well. There were many young boys in the hospital who had the same thing as my brother. In essence, the Army killed
my brother

I wish it was exposed about Agent Orange for the people in this country that were killed by it. My brother’s was proven service connected, but they never said how he got it. After researching and Googling about agent orange with something in my gut feeling, I Googled agent orange Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and they manufactured it (AO) there and they used it there. Okay have a good night.