More phony soldier BS
They seem to be coming out of the woodwork this week. Terry Richard Calandra, 59, of Forks Township, Pa. wasn’t happy with forging documents for a Distinguished Service Cross, a Silver Star and a Bronze Star with a “V” device, and FOUR Purple Hearts he decided to get Arlen Specter involved in getting him a Congressional Medal of Honor for his six months in Vietnam and set off alarms in the Army Department;
The Army most recently began reviewing Calandra’s file in August after U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., forwarded an inquiry from Calandra about his Medal of Honor nomination.
“Mr. Terry Calandra has contacted my Allentown office inquiring on the status of his nomination for the Congressional Medal of Honor,” Specter wrote in a July 18 letter to the Military Awards Branch. “Since the request falls under your jurisdiction, I have forwarded you a copy of his request.”
Specter later told a local newspaper editorial board that Calandra should be considered for the military’s top award.
In an e-mail to Army Times, spokesperson Kate Kelly said, “Sen. Specter’s office has been briefed by the Army concerning the questions surrounding Mr. Calandra’s service.” She declined further comment.
You can read the whole story at the link - the story about how his order numbers don’t match the National Archives records. I don’t understand this stuff at all. If you’re ashamed of what you accomplished in the military, do a better job of picking your career field.
And then the cum bubble has the unmitigated gall to say “If the Army wants to change their mind, that’s their business. I’ll send my medals back. I don’t need them.” If you don’t need them, why’d you bother to start harranging your Senator about your Congressional Medal of Honor?
Be proud of your service, no matter what it was. I knew a guy who has passed now whose entire service was as a meat cutter in Buffalo, New York during World War II. He never tried to make himself anything else and he was proud of his service just the way it was. Someone needed to it and he’d done his part contributing to the effort.
Hat tip to 1stCAVRVN11B.
December 27th, 2008 at 7:50 pm
The Army Times posts a “portion” of the total story despite having many documents that give the “other side of the story” and bloggers like 1stCAVRVN11B talk like they know the story. They don’t. I have reserached this for 9 full months and have the documents noted and that were presented to the Army Times but sensationalism seems to be their objective rather than a fair accounting on both sides. Get your facts straight and then perhaps you deserve the opportunity to post your blog but without anything but what you read you do a disservice to all veterans. And yes, I am a veteran. Contact Brendan McGarry at the Army Times and ask him why he hasn’t posted the many documents he was provided.
Bob
Jonn wrote: If you’ve got something that proves the Army Times wrong, email it to me. You’re the one who has claimed to research it - show me.
December 28th, 2008 at 12:29 am
The proof is in the pudding Bobby boy, show us something substantive, some of us believe in evidence so provide us some and we MIGHT be inclined to believe you.
December 29th, 2008 at 4:15 am
Unless you can’t read “Lucky”, contact Brendan McGarry as I stated. He has all the proof!
Jonn wrote: Like I said, you’re the one making the insinuation that the rest of us are wrong. You’re the one who claims he’s been researching this for nine months. I’m not doing your work for you. Show us if you’ve got evidence to the contrary.
December 29th, 2008 at 10:53 am
Or, Bobby boy, you could have Brendan contact Jonn or TSO and they can post this ALLEGED proof that he has. Bobby, I may have only been eligible for VFW for for years, but in that time, one of my favorite passtimes has developed: Finding phony veterans, and telling off those who defend them. I will instantly be skeptical of any man or woman who toots their own horn about the CMH. That is not a ribbon that many people WANT to earn.
December 29th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
Lucky:
I don’t think ANYONE wants to earn the CMH. Especially since it usually comes with a nice box to put it in. You know, one so heavy it has to be carried by six men.
December 29th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
As I repeat to all, contact Brendan McGarry; he has it all. Is that too tough for you? And, nobody “sought” the CMH but me because after my review I had no doubts. He never toots his own horn and those that have known him for many years say the same thing. I have the nomination, notarized statements by the nominator and eyewitnesses, Army 1969/1970 PR News Releases and more; and McGarry has it all. Unless you contact him as it is all hard copy you are wasting your time in the blogs because all you are doing is talking B.S. because you read a story and acted on that and nothing else. At least do a little homework. I gave it to Mcgarry because he has the resources to reach the masses.
December 29th, 2008 at 8:12 pm
Bob,
If you have all the information, if YOU have researched it all, then why should Jonn, or any of us have to contact someone else?
Put up or shut up, boyo. Either YOU have the info, or YOU DO NOT. No middle ground.
Simple, really. Unless, of course, there is something else afoot…..
December 29th, 2008 at 8:19 pm
Nobody owes you anything; get that straight! And obviously you are not smart enough to understand what I stated quite clearly. It was given to the press. Period. last response to unintelligent bloggers!
December 29th, 2008 at 8:25 pm
So, bobby takes his marbles and runs away!
I suspect he has nothing, but hot air.
Of course, he has the opportunity to prove me wrong…
December 29th, 2008 at 8:48 pm
Bobby is running nowhere! If I had anything to hide would I have provided it to the Army Times since they wrote the story? Again, everything has been provided, just not to you, nor is it owed to you. You prove yourself wrong by not having the common sense to contact McGarry as stated repeatedly. Are you that dense? All you have provided is hot air. I have provided documents. Understood? If not you need more help than I can provide but please do your own homework which not one of you has done.
Jonn wrote: What a pain in the ass. You’re the one telling me I’m wrong. I didn’t come to your house and start this conversation-you came here. Put up or shut up. The more of your ass you show us, the more I think you’re a blowhard with nuthin’.
December 29th, 2008 at 9:09 pm
Bob,
You are the one who came here and said you had proof of the allegations. Well, we’re waiting.
I just can’t understand the logic behind what you are doing. It’s like you walked into the foyer of someone’s house, then dropped your pants and took a dump, and complained about the mess.
It just sounds like so much hot air coming from another phony-soldier apologist.
December 29th, 2008 at 9:34 pm
Bob:
You need to share your proof on this. I read the story and he also had an Army Commendation Medal with “V”, all of these awards from a 6 month tour of Vietnam in 1969. This guy’s exploits would be well documented by the Army, especially the division he was assigned to. Hit the send button and show all that hard evidence from your 9 month investigation.
December 29th, 2008 at 11:16 pm
AS, exactly, and a pine box is not something I seek, personally. I ain’t in this for medals, I am doing my job for my love of Country, and to make a difference. Bobby boy, like all have said: you showed your happy ass here first. At least IVAW has provided their DD214’s to TSO and Jonn, you can’t do that, then drop your claim before you find your happy ass reported to pow network for investigation.
December 30th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
To each and every genius blogging. The material is not online. It is copies from DA, etc and as repeatedly stated it was sent to Brendan McGarry. If that’s not good enough for you that’s YOUR problem. Nothing is being kept from anyone and in fact has been sent to at least 50 parties long ago via regular mail. So again without the stupidity of name calling, contact Brendan McGarry…the author you all blog in response to. I’ve tried to be decent to all and will continue to do so but on no occasion will you think you can force anything, or intimidate me. By the way, the P.O.W. Network and their allies have the entire packet as well. And if the Army Board for Corrections isn’t enough you all have a serious problem you need checked.I’m well known in this venue but you all hide behind your blogger identities! It is easy to take such cheap shops hidden as you are.
Jonn wrote: Yeah, I should really stop hiding behind my real name and those pictures of myself in the “About Us” page. I’ve emailed Mr. Garry and I guess it’s my fault he hasn’t emailed me back. You really don’t understand the internet do you, Bob? If you have documentation you want me to consider and since you have a burr under your saddle about it, you should send it to me.
December 30th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
NOWHERE can this guy’s name be found within division records (9th INF or 101st AB) or elsewhere on the web that would indicate he recieved either the DSC or Silver Star. I’ll concede the PH’s. That could happen. For a person that doesn’t seek attention, he’s been running around the Valley for years proclaiming his valor. And since when does the 2nd and 3rd highest medals for heroism/valor come in the mail? I’d like to gander at the citation. That would tell his location and what he did to get it. One of two things occured here. Somebody fudged the record or the awards were given to him in error. Either way, he never should have accepted them and had the record corrected. Only he knows for sure but if the Feds figure it all out there will be alot of pis’d folks he set up. I hope I’m wrong but it’s starting to look NOT good for Terry.
DD214’s are known for ommisions but not entries that award these medals.
December 30th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
Hey Bobby boy, there is such a thing as a scanner, you can scan the documents into the computer, and you can send them to TSO and Jonn to be able to prove what you say is true.
December 30th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
Presumably this is Bob Faro of Upper Nazereth Township.
Mr. Faro- I’m not sure if you realize how this all works, but Jonn blogged about an article from Army Times, and commented on the article. If the underlying facts are wrong in the Army Times, then why would you point us to the Army Times to dispell them? That makes no sense.
Simple question, how is it that he has General Order #9580 when all orders are sequential and there were not that many orders issued during that year of the war?
December 30th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
After further thought, I would request that Bob place the citations (I presume he has copies) on the web. All of these awards (MH,DSM, Silver Star and Bronze Star come with the citation)as well as the recipients name engraved on the back of the medal. If you are sure of the award, it would cause no harm posting it publicly. But my guess is there are no such citations available thus no way to verify it. He once stated in a editorial that somebody may have conspired against him. Why? There seems to be too many FU’s on his record.
December 30th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
I unfortunately get the feeling that Bob here is completely innocent in this, and may have been taken in by a friend telling tall tales. I truly hope that is not the case. And believe you me, I will be the first to salute this gentleman if it turns out the Army screwed this stuff up.
Frankly, the whole story needs some sort of closure either way.
December 30th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
LVvet, I have been asking Bobby to do this from the get-go, and he has not carried through. I will also salute this dude, and might even buy him a round if he is ever in the Fairfax area, that is, if it is true. Seeing as though I believe that it is fraudulent, that ain’t gonna happen. I will extend that to any of y’all who pass through my area though.
December 30th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
Lucky,
Thanks for the offer.
You’re probrably right about being duped. But who knows. Bob is not a bad guy and works hard for veteran affairs here in the Lehigh Valley. For that I thank him. However, if my guess is right, the Feds will be knocking at his door looking for more information since he is the driving force behind all this. He better have his sh** together when they come knock’n.
If I’m wrong, and hope I am, I’ll buy them both a round and publicly offer an apology.
December 30th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
After some investigation on the web, it appears he would have been one of the most decorated men in the 9th ID and 101st AB.
I’m really confused………even the damn Army can’t be that screwed up. Well………maybe. I can’t even get my Good Conduct Medal after 40 yrs. What made them think he could get the MH….?
December 30th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
They are drinking some very special crazy juice, thats the only explanation…
January 2nd, 2009 at 9:26 pm
What a coincidence. March 23-25,1969 is the same time Col. David Hackworth received his DSC. How cool. Or not.
January 2nd, 2009 at 9:44 pm
Methinks this assclown doth protest too much. The same year, yet several numerals difference? Suuuuuuuuuure, let me guess, theres also a bridge for sale in Brooklyn, right Bobby boy?
January 2nd, 2009 at 10:03 pm
Could the Army have sent it to the wrong guy?
January 2nd, 2009 at 10:37 pm
Lol, probably not.
January 3rd, 2009 at 10:01 am
I didn’t think so (was just kidding). By the way, Hackworth has been reviewed twice to upgrade this DSC to the MOH and denied both times.
January 3rd, 2009 at 10:30 am
Right, I still don’t think Bobby will get the CMH any time soon.
January 5th, 2009 at 12:08 pm
A few more questions for Bob.
Has his DD214 ever been “corrected” since he was discharged?
If so, by whom?
Do you have copies of the citations?
How the fiddler’s f@#%! did he make E-5 in a year or less.
Articles indicate he was a RTO 11B.
How did he get transferred to another combat unit while he was recovering from a previous injury????? Must not have been a serious injury, eh? Think about it.
Who presented the Silver Star to him? Don’t tell me it was on his bunk when he retured from a patrol. That won’t fly.
DSC came in the mail???? Please!
Bronze Star- where did that come from?
What makes you think somebody set him up? Why? Didn’t he notice his DD214 was bogus when he seperated? It said a DSC but he never got it beforehand? Or didn’t know he was awarded it?
I will join your team, to get him the MOH, if you can prove to me this is all legit. I’m not far from you and would be glad to meet with you about this. My guess is you never really questioned what was told to you. It’s clear you were not in the Army and did not know much of the details. You may have been taken in,and that’s the shame of it.
Let me know.
January 5th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
None of the “Old Reliable” division newspapers from March - August 1969 lists him as receiving any of these awards. The paper lists medal winners on a weekly basis. Now, if only I could get to the brigade, regiment and company records…….
I’d sure like to see the names on those orders. In fact, I’d rather see those than the citations. I could only find one SS winner for the date of March 25, 1969 and it wasn’t him.
January 5th, 2009 at 3:01 pm
But I’d bet his bunk was close by.
January 6th, 2009 at 3:33 am
I just wanted to drop some information to enlighten all you. I live in the Lehigh Valley as well. I have been following this Calandra story for some time and I’ve got to speak out. I’m not a Nam vet, but my dad was. He was a combat vet, a Navy Seabee, but is very humble. He has always told me that he was scared, but just trying to do his job and stay alive, no heroics. He’s my HERO, but would probably be uncomfortable hearing me say that. I am an historian and this story really has me thinking. I am willing to wait for the final verdict on this case (it doesn’t look to go though). Citations for phony DSCs have been discovered numerous times by researchers. The late Col Al Gleim, a awards researcher spent considerable time researching real General Orders and validating them. There were fake orders right there amongst the real ones in the archives. Check out Chapter 16 in the book Stolen Valor for the intersting stories of elaborate fakes of Sgt Maj Benjamin Ricciardi and Stephen Banko. Gleim also published his findings in a book by Planchet Press (it is really hard to get now–out of print. Try the Orders and Medals Society).
Lucky and LVVet, I think you wanted to see the citations, there are posted by the POWNETWORK.
http://www.pownetwork.org/phonies/phonies1055.htm
Seems Calandra received the DSC while on TDY to the 101 during the infamous battle of Dong Ap Bia (Hamburger Hill). His citation states he was supporting a disorganized ARVN unit, but recent scholarship on the ARVN contribution to the battle says differently. Surf over to Google book search and look up a book called, Vietnam’s Forgotten Army by Andrew Weist. Read pages 168 to 171 (it’s online). He was supporting a ARVN unit, the morning of 5/19, but they didn’t arrive till the afternoon to help out (see page 166). Calandra’s story looks shakier than before! Bob here thinks that valor is denied by great conspiracies (unless little gray martians or the one world government are involved–LOL!). How can that be? Even Napoleon stated that he could conquer the world with just little bits of colored ribbon. For the sake of those whose quiet heroism doesn’t land there names in the papers, I want a full accounting. Calandra himself asked for one, let the evidence come out and the chips fall where they may.
PS Spread the word on this!!!
January 6th, 2009 at 8:56 am
Reg. Joe,
Thanks for the post. Just Two items do appear to be in conflict. The order no. for the SS is too high as is the DSC and signed by a 1st Lt.. The DSC order doesn’t appear to be signed by anyone unless there’s a page not published and the order no. I’m going to check some of this stuff out. TDY thing still doesn’t sound right to me. I’m suspicious of anyone that claims to be TDY to a combat area while recouping from a major injury, so stated in the articles. I’m going to do some research on this some more. My gut says there’s more to come on this.
January 6th, 2009 at 9:57 am
Oh, this is too good. His general order for the SS says it was under the provisions of Exec. order 11046. Unfortunatly, that is the Exec. order authorizing the Bronze Star.
January 6th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
DSC orders indicate TDY to MACV Tactical Expeditionary Team. According to Command and Control Charts there were Advisory Teams but no Tactical Expeditionary Team/s. Not to say there wasn’t but can’t find any reference to them. Anybody out there that was with MACV back in ‘69?
January 6th, 2009 at 1:08 pm
The current statutory authorization for the Silver Star Medal is Title 10 of the United States Code (10 U.S.C. § 3746). This award was not by Exec. order but by Congress.
January 6th, 2009 at 3:20 pm
I also noticed the picture in the Express-Times. His SS order says he was a PFC. The picture indicates he was a busted ass private (no chevrons on his sleeve or collar). Just an observation.
January 6th, 2009 at 4:41 pm
The orders also show the location as
Theater: A shau valley and Mekong Delta
Others I’ve seen show only
Theater: Republic of Vietnam
Another inconsistency noted.
January 6th, 2009 at 8:19 pm
LVVet,
Thanks for the posts. There seems to be way too many errors involved. Sloppy work, coincidence or design?
I can’t believe that they mislabeled the executive order for the Silver Star citing the one for the Bronze Star. Also, Silver Stars have to be authorized at divisional level. Why is a 1st LT, signing this kind of order. I would have imagined a officer of higher rank, unless I am mistaken. I believe the awards branch officer pointed this out in one of the articles. I uncovered a article about all of Calandra’s exploits. It was posted as a PDF file on Lifestyles over 50 website for the Lehigh Valley.
http://www.lifestylesover50.com/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=424
Most of the awards I’ve seen as well, only feature: Republic of Vietnam.
In regards to rank insignia, I am willing to concede that perhaps he didn’t have any on that set of fatigues (clothes back from the laundry, pins in short supply, etc)
January 7th, 2009 at 2:43 pm
Admission of error. (maybe) Dept. of the Army Regs. state that a award of any type (except the MOH) may be mailed to the HOR if the individual has been retired or seperated from active status.
The DSC orders are dated 14 Oct 1969. Since I don’t have the DD214 I don’t know the seperation date. If the individual is still in the service, a formal presentation is required. I appologize if I’m wrong on this one.
January 7th, 2009 at 3:08 pm
Another problem with the DSC. Says “Co. D 4th Batallion, 39th Infantry Bde 9th Infantry Div..” That should be 39th Infantry Regiment.
January 7th, 2009 at 4:01 pm
SS medal! Lt. John Roberson III was an acting company CO. not an FO….according to Hackworth’s book.
January 7th, 2009 at 4:09 pm
I give up! this is starting to read like a bad novel…..
January 8th, 2009 at 9:25 am
As an infantry 11b and CO and S3 driver, I can say this with certainty.
SS medal citation says he was a Btn. RTO. That means he should have been with HHC, not Co. D. That would be Company level RTO. What is a Field Command Unit? I think they mean Battalion CP or HQ.
Further, I’ve never seen a citation that includes the rank and name of another soldier other than the one named for the medal. Is there a PH citation that goes with this?
January 8th, 2009 at 11:51 am
your whole blog is bs
January 8th, 2009 at 1:56 pm
Why’s that?
January 12th, 2009 at 2:18 pm
An article indicates he was seperated in 1970. Thus, more than enough time to award him the DSC in person. I ain’t buying any of this story he tells.
January 13th, 2009 at 11:31 am
Here’s the Lt. named in the citation. Guess we can’t ask him. RIP Lt. Note he was a CO not a FO.
ROBERSON, JOHN LINTON, III (”ROBO”)
1943-1986. Class of 1966. Lieutenant Roberson commanded a company in the Delta during the Vietnam War, in Colonel David Hackworth’s Battalion, 9th Division, U.S. Army. In the midst of a firefight on March 11, 1969, his company took casualties, but he refused evacuation, and stayed with his company throughout the operation, earning Col. Hackworth’s praise.He was awarded the Bronze Star with V Device, the Purple Heart. He died in 1986. (Sources: communication from William W. Northrop, Class of 1966, May 4, 2003; David H. Hackworth and Julie Sherman, About Face, pp. 672-674. U53 .H25 A3 1990; Alumni Files, Citadel Records Management Department) (DH)
January 13th, 2009 at 11:56 am
http://www.pownetwork.org/phonies/phonies1055.htm
January 13th, 2009 at 12:56 pm
Where’s Bob now? The evidence is mounting and I’m not the one that’s gonna grill these two guys…..but I’d love to.
January 13th, 2009 at 1:14 pm
Winter Soldier,
And IVAW is nothing but deserters,screw ups, traitors and liars.
January 22nd, 2009 at 11:01 am
HUNTSMAN, Charles Ray, Sep 24, 1948 - Jun 20, 2001, Sp4 US Army Vietnam, Purple Heart}
Could this have been the same guy noted in this article? From cemetary records in Westmoreland, TN. Pine Grove Cemetary
http://www.pownetwork.org/pownet.secure/calandra1.pdf
If so, I’ve never seen a Sp4 CO before.
January 24th, 2009 at 7:09 pm
Now, Mr. Faro, Read all the info I’ve gathered in the previous posts. You requested our own research and there it is. You spent 9 months “researching” and ended up woth bogus documents. That’s not research. I spent a couple hours on the internet and got more info than you did to prove the documents are phoney. Now you have to find out what Mr. Calandra knows. I’m sure if he read the citations he would have known they were incorrect. Thus, he’s living a lie. Prove me wrong.
January 26th, 2009 at 3:59 pm
It’s not nice to make your lawmakers look like fools!
February 18th, 2009 at 11:43 am
To all my brothers out there this F@#kin guy has been left
alone for to long I think there is enought evidence out there to arrest his dum ass.I got this copy from a news paper my wife gave me yesterday titled A HERO FORGOTTEN IS NONETHELESS A HERO-A VIETNAM VETERAN`S STORY. Mother of God
this guy makes Johne Wayne look like pussy. Preety so I guess he will want the P-38 name after him. Yes I`am pissed
I have read about him for awhile I truly believe he wants to cheppen the meaning of the CMH . Tell me how in what 6mouths do you get to the rank of sgt. plus 5 hearts and SS plus a DSC sorry two SS and now you want to up grade ? It does not work that way. If he did what he claims he did he would have been written then. not so 30 plus years later.
this is truly a case of stolen Valor and that is against the LAW. Lets get his ass locked up.
February 18th, 2009 at 12:57 pm
jUST REREADING SOME OF THE PAPER WORK i HAVE COLLECTED ON THIS PIECE OF SHIT.JUST LET ME START WITH I SERVIED IN THE
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS IN NAM WITH HOTEL CO. 2nd Battalion 9th Marines 3rd Marine Div.66-67 DID A SECOND TOUR WITH L 3/5 FRIST MARINE DIV. NOW THIS MIGHT ONLY DEAL WITH THE CORPS BUT WHEN WE GOT 3 PURPLE HEARTS YOU WENT BACK TO THE WORLD. THIS CLOWN GETS 5!? COME ON NOW. PLUS WHEN YOUR WOUNDED AND ARE RECOVERING YOU DON`T GET TRANSFORED TO ANOTHER GUNT OUTFIT. WERE IS HIS CO ? LETS PUT HIM ON THE GRILL. I THINK THIS GUY NAME BOB ETHER HAS HIS NOISE UP HIS ASS OR WAS THE GUY WHO WROTE HIM UP.OH I`M PISSED
February 20th, 2009 at 1:30 pm
I swore to myself that I would not get involved in this ridiculous commentary but at this point I can’t help myself.
I’ve been following this story from the beginning. None of of you have given this Vet the benifit of the doubt except Bob. As I read the comments from you guys, it reminds me of a movie. You all sound like a mob of non-intelligent goofballs looking to lynch someone you have never met or know and have no concrete facts to go on except what you get from the internet or from what people have put on the internet. You read a few documents and hear what other have to say and just jump on the band-wagon. Let the FBI do the research and question who they have to question to get the answers and the facts, you might be surprised who is at fault. This site is nothing but water cooler talk. I wasted too much time saying this.
February 21st, 2009 at 11:18 pm
The paperwork on the links above by all accounts says it’s bull. You don’t really belive he did all that, do you? He may not have fudged the paperwork but sure as hell lived like he did. And the Feds will be knocking on doors. Keep in mind he and Bob provided all the info for the stories and editorials. They have proof of nothing except bogus paperwork. Only one of two things happened. The paperwork is totally F’d up and written by an unauthorized person. If that’s the case, it’s all a lie. The names don’t match with rank and command position…… or, he went with the flow and lived the life written by these people. either way it’s not good.
February 22nd, 2009 at 9:57 am
Not Worth Wasting My Time:
Stop wasting ours, defending this loser. Cool “handle” you picked, untraceable as “Anonymous”….
Got anything real to offer? Something that would give us reason to doubt the facts that we’ve already gathered and checked? Bring it on. There isn’t one of us here who wouldn’t apologize to him if the facts show him to be 100% authentic. We, by and large, are not Liberal Democrats who totally disregard facts and truths. We’re more critical than that. We’ll wait………
nuf sed
February 22nd, 2009 at 2:36 pm
Sure I will apologize. When pig fly. This guy is a phony plane and simple. The facts when read will show this to be true. No I no a liberal Democrat I just a Marine that is pissed.I ask every one to read the facts of this case . They do not add up . Rocket science is not need it. Just get your head an Ass Wired together an read them.
Semper / FI
February 28th, 2009 at 12:21 pm
Dear Mr or Ms. “Not Worth Wasting My Time”
“You all sound like a mob of non-intelligent goofballs looking to lynch someone you have never met…”
Excuse me? So anytime, anybody gets together to discuss something other than what you agree with, it is “water cooler talk?”
I wasn’t got to waste my time answering you, but I feel the need to. First of all, none of the information collected was dragged off of some questionable blog. There are way to many inconsistencies with this account and story to be left unchecked. I worked a “spell” in publishing as an editorial assistant and quality assuarance and accuracy are the bread and butter of integrity.
This is a domain of free exchange. You are free to share your point of view as these inconsistencies.
You are invited to comment on the following:
1)Please feel free to explain the incorrect General Order numbers (These are concrete evidence in the National Archives and something that Col Al Gleim spent the later part of his life researching). General Order numbers don’t change and few mistakes are made. Please consult the well referenced index of DSC awards put together by Gleim and Planchet press (from their review of all of the General Orders for the major commands with DSC awarding power in the National Archives). You are welcomed to counteract their research and demonstrate why Calandra has not turned up on their list. Was he overlooked? Maybe. But he should be able to produce clear and accurate information to the contrary. And no, General Order numbers do not skip thousands of numbers ahead. Just like your check book, many things in life happen in sequential order most of the time.
2) How was our friend pulled from a unit in the Delta, the 4th CTZ (or 4th Corps) with the 9th Division, and then finds himself in the Battle of Hamburger Hill with the 101st AB, where he contrary to established facts from the US advisory team, he supports a ARVN unit from retreating early one morning. In actuality, this ARVN unit doesn’t arrive till the afternoon hours and then handles itself quite well, in an action recorded in numerous sources (most of which are verified and not on-line). The ARVN unit is one of the first to reach the summit. Feel free to explain this in detail, citing specific sources that back up his DSC award. Something of this nature should be backed up by well established truths. Influential acts in battle do get recorded in comtemporary accounts.
3)There are errors in rank, location description and authorizing award authority on his Silver Star and DSC awards. Please explain.
There is no doubt he served in Vietnam and he just might have earned his awards, but he is the one (with the help of Bob Faro) that is seeking the MOH for quite a number of years. I live in the Lehigh Valley and I have been following this personally for quite some time. I know of Mr Calandra outide of this news story and allegation. He seeks the highest award of the land. This is not to be taken lightly. This process has the right to be reviewed by proper authorities. We are not suggesting otherwise. I previously asked for the truth to emerge and the chips to fall where they may. If the FBI and the DOD establish this all to be fact, I would be glad to see the truth emerge and the proper military awards to be forthcoming. All we are asking for is the truth.
As for our fellow vets and friends here, they have the greatest right to comment and question. Vietnam Magazine has a motto that states “Our readers keep us honest.” This is to help avoid the BS that springs up with “war stories”
The men of this war, my father included have been so dishonored by a legion of liars and phonies that true valor, service and sacrifice go ignored or unrecognized. The true heroes I know have let modesty be their guide. With so many people lying about military honors (see the Chicago Tribune articles on the lies in the Who’s Who publication over thing like the Navy Cross, DSC and MOH) to claim credit and receive recognition, they didn’t earn, it is the right of veterans and their families to demand accuracy and accountability. I have a degree in Education and History and I have worked as school teacher. If we don’t set right the truths of the era and the generation, the lies will live on for future generations.
To my veteran friends here, I am sorry to have “ranted” so much, but I can’t sit by quiet any longer. Since I was a child in the 1970’s, I sat by and watched America dishonor it’s veterans so that many of them were unable to even stand up in public and proclaim they served. (It took me years for me to even begin to understand how this happened). I have no intention of standing in the way of any vet from letting the world know they served. I would push you guys to the front of the line every time if I could. I just cannot stand those that lie and claim honors they didn’t deserve. There are 58,000 names on a wall in Washington and legions of others that deserve the greatest praise for doing what their country asked of them. For many of them, their greatest award will be the respect and gratitude of their families and friends. No one has the right to steal what they have not earned. Honor is not just a word.
Keep searching for the truth.
Regular Joe
March 1st, 2009 at 5:31 pm
Very well said. Thanks.
March 5th, 2009 at 8:11 am
Regular Joe : Out F*&KING standing job well written..
March 13th, 2009 at 12:15 pm
Guys,
You all sound like a bunch of old ladies…LOL
The Army and AF screw up paperwork all the time. Missing orders, numbers out of sequence, name and/or rank/Grade wrong - BTDT
I served over 30 years with the USAF, US Army & National Guard (combined). I have been ‘pinned’ in formation for promotions and awards that never apppeared on any document. ‘Wounded’ twice during enemy activity and no PH. Plus I didn’t learn about some awards (PUC, 2nd COG, 3rd VSM) until after I retired. I was definitely out of uniform for most of my career…LOL
However for records that are really screwed up - my Father’s and Grandfather’s WWII records are a mess…
IMHO - Discussing this outside of NPRC or a court of law is just a waste of time…
SFC US Army, Retired…
TSO Wrote: You got pinned for promotion and awards, and they didn’t hand you the copy of the orders authorizing it? You served in VERY different units than I did then, because you didn’t get shit handed to you without the accompanying paperwork. I agree that Army paperwork is completely FUBAR, but this just strikes me as odd.
BTW- If you want to correct your record and get the PH(s) you earned, send us an email at the email addy listed. I know some people who can do it for you.
March 15th, 2009 at 9:22 am
SFC,
If we, former vets and active duty, don’t root out and report these goings on, who will? Follow the above links and info and decide yourself. The orders are posted and bogus. The names and ranks don’t jive. Nor does the order numbers and authorization for at least one of the awards.
While I agree there very well could be errors, I say not that many on 2 GO’s. Who knows how many others are wrong in his Personel Record.
Waste of time? I think not. Not when somebody is seeking the MOH!
The NPRC and Feds ARE looking into the matter.
You’re an E-7 after 30 yrs. This guy made E-5 in 6 months. Doesn’t that ring odd? As somebody said earlier, his exploits makes John Wayne look like a pussy.
Check out this link and decide for yourself whether it’s worth the effort. Look at some of the other phonies that have been outed. And there is lots of them.
http://www.pownetwork.org/pownet.secure/calandra1.pdf
Thanks for the thoughts.
March 15th, 2009 at 9:29 am
badmoon,
See post #’s 49 and 53 !
March 17th, 2009 at 7:32 pm
Correction to the link in #66
http://www.pownetwork.org/phonies/phonies1055.htm
November 13th, 2009 at 5:00 pm
Has there been any more.Or is this all done and we can put this in the shit can? Any others let me know I will hunt them down.