Joseph Imperato; phony wounded sailor
The folks at Military Phony send us their work on this Joseph Imperato fellow. He is a Navy veteran of more than ten years. He was a radioman on submarines, the USS Francis Scott Key, the USS Andrew Jackson and the USS San Juan;
Somehow, the Military Order of the Purple Heart got the idea that he has a Purple Heart;
Someone doing research on Purple Heart recipients of the Beirut mission (1982-84), came across Imperato’s name on the list of recipients. That’s strange because during that period, he was on the USS Andrew Jackson – a submarine that was patrolling the North Sea and the Arctic Circle from 1977-1987. Any sniper in Beirut getting a shot at Imperato would have to be an exceptional marksman.
I’ve warned the MOPH about Imperato, it’s really not the fault of the current administration of the organization. In past years, decades ago during a simpler time, they accepted a new member based on a current member’s recommendation. We have a close working relationship with the current MOPH administration and we’re helping them to weed out the liars. Eventually, we’ll get them all.
Category: Phony soldiers, Valor Vultures
There was a guy (Wallace Grey Rather) from Vietnam that claimed to have 7 Purple Hearts all on one certificate. When I bought it up to the MOPH I was told that it was real.. Apparently no orders or anything except that one certificate. You got him listed.
http://valorguardians.com/blog/?p=55619
Don’t get me going about that shriveled up scrotum sniffer… that assclown shit all over all Corpsmen that served. A couple of guys I served with a few of the guys that posted about his antics at Great Lakes – I’m glad I didn’t run across his pathetic ass when I was stationed there.
E-9 Rather sucks donkey dicks at the local truck stop, when he’s not trying to commit fraud…
Was that the same fucker who claimed to have been shot in the leg with a .50 cal?
SEA, he sorta said that.
On 22 Oct 2014, Rather’s Sockpuppet of choice for that day (Capt. Bull Dawg) said he was shot by a 50 caliber in the right leg.
All Rather himself ever said about it was the gunshot wound to my right thigh required a muscle transplant.
Is there a “don’t have a leg to stand on” joke in there somewhere?
I had to googlize this but for my fellow non-water people, the silver star on the deterrent patrol pin signifies five patrols. It has nothing whatsoever to do with THE SILVER STAR.
Yup, one more qualifying Navy sea deployment, 90 + days when I was in the Navy, would’ve lead to one of those silver stars being on my sea service ribbon.
Since when is the MOPH related to the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor?
The Hall of Honor claims that they got his name from the MOPH.
This is just a crazy guess but if an RPG hit a submarine, it would be newsy, no? And another crazy guess is that other sailors on the sub would probably have heard about one of their own being wounded. But no and no. At least I’ve now learned what the vice in vice commander means.
His discharge rate was RM2 (E5) but he is wearing a RM1 (E6) crow on his sleeve. Also, I cannot identify the first ribbon on his rack, and cannot find anything similar that rates higher than the PH on the Navy or Coast Guard listing.
I believe that is a Submariner Ribbon for deterrent patrols during the cold war. It is listed on his DD 214. We need a sub guy to verify.
The E-6 thing I would say he was busted and probably not allowed to reenlist so that is why he only has 10 years. His 214 has one good conduct for service up to 83.
Airedale is right. CG unit award.
And might be 88, but it wouldn’t surprise me he made RM1 and then got nailed.
Looks like he extended to get to the San Juan and then got booted soon thereafter.
Back in 90-91, the one sure fire ways to get booted that fast were either admitting you liked dick or pissing hot. I know where my money is going.
Yep, those two were the ones (and only) that I thought of, also. And, like you, I know where my money is going.
The Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbon. I have one of those.
Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation with Operational device. I have one too. TDY aboard USCG Cutter Steadfast.
I have three. Shore Patrol during Op Sail(Every participating unit in the district got one) CG Supply Center, Brooklyn NY, and USCG Lor STA Marcus island Japan. If you didn’t get at least three in as many years, you ain’t shit.
I’m satisfied with my one as I’ve never been in the Coast Guard.
Yep!! That one and the Special Operations Service ribbon also.
My discharge rate was STS 2(SS), but I wore STS1 insignia because I was “frocked” to First Class PO when I was selected for advancement. I put on the Crow in June 1984 and would have been payed for it about 5 days after my EAOS in November1984. I just made sure that they put “Frocked to E-6” on my DD-214.
That said, the only way I could have ended up with a Purple Heart would be if they awarded it for hangovers.
Burned the piss out of my arm on some HPD piping, but all I got was some burn ointment and a hunk of gauze.
No PH.
Hmm. Guess this guy better contact the BCNR. NPRC apparently has no record of his having a Purple Heart.
Not a nautical type, but it seems to me that opportunities for a “boomer” crewman to get a Purple Heart while serving on a SSBN would be rather limited – as in, “I don’t think it’s ever happened.” But I could well be wrong.
It only happens if the pig is sunk in warfare. And nobody wants that.
Not sure about my saying ‘only in warfare’. The Thresher crew suffered a horrifying accident.
But, the Thresher crew didn’t qualify for the Purple Heart Medal. I know a widow of a Thresher Crewman, and we discussed this way back when it had first happened. She couldn’t understand the difference in that accident and a combat caused accident.
Period of hostilities isn’t strictly required. The Purple Heart has been authorized for terrorist incidents since the 1970s.
That said, a hostile act by someone/some group considered an enemy of the US must cause the injury (or friendly fire, if that friendly fire was a bona fide attempt to engage the enemy), and the SSAM (Soldier/Sailor/Airman/Marine) must require medical treatment for the injury incurred. Take either of those away, and a Purple Heart isn’t authorized.
I presume an incident at sea where a boomer crewman was injured due to hostile action (i.e., depth charge attack, taking small arms fire while surfaced, etc . . . ) but which didn’t sink the boat would qualify. I simply haven’t ever heard of any such incident happening on a US SSBN. Not saying it hasn’t – but if it has, I certainly haven’t ever heard of such.
Pretty sure we’ve only lost 2 nuclear subs – the USS Thresher and the USS Scorpion. Neither was a SSBN. And while some of our other subs reputedly have had “close scrapes”, pretty sure of those were SSNs vice SSBNs. My understanding is that SSBNs typically operate on a very different mission profile than those boats that get “up close and personal” with our adversaries.
Again: not ex-Navy and certainly not an ex-submariner, so I could be out to lunch about the last part above. But I don’t think I am.
Sorry Hondo I accidentally hit the wrong button to comment on your post. My humble apologies.
Sorry Hondo I accidentally hit the wrong button to comment on your post. My humble apologies. You are correct on mission profiles vis a vis SSN vs SSBN. SSN’s hunt and seek out “contacts” while SSBN’s keep quiet and lay low while they are on “alert.”
Thanks, Mark. One is never too old to learn, and I always welcome either confirmation or correction my understanding of, well, anything from someone who’s more knowledgeable.
My ship and a couple others dropped anchor within a mile of Mogadishu when the US military was still doing operations in Mogadishu. Our leadership received chatter that a terrorist attack was planed on us.
We pulled anchors up and got underway… right when they started to fire RPG rounds in our direction. We were still within a mile, but not close enough to get hit. Not by a long shot… the rounds were hitting water between us and the shore.
Phony wounded sailor but legitimate turd.
Dude looks sketchy in a very disturbing way as well.
Taint tickling, nutsack licking, manhole inspecting, peter puffer – First Class!
Dude lives in Joizee… I wonder if he’s used his “Purple Heart” to get a special license plate or some other stuff? The POPO in Joizee may not like a liar like Imperato doin’ some felonious shit like that.
Maybe he can hang out with Gunny Driveway. An update to Jersey Boys.
Went back to the original posting (#20014)(4 Aug 2010) on Angelo Otchy and in the media picture this guy looks (in profile) just like the feller that hung the Verona Distinguished Service Medal around Otchy’s scrawny neck.
Coincidence? Maybe, but Gibbs Rule #39 may also apply in this case.
Ah, yes… Angelo. I wonder how that smegma stained cocksucker is doing these days?
Do you all remember Edward “Bling-Bling” William Richards from Colorado, born in 1932?
http://valorguardians.com/blog/?p=63629
Well, guess what. According to the MOPH Chapter 1041-CO-5, Danny Phillip Dietz Jr., he is listed as receiving a PH in WWII:
http://www.purpleheart.org/members/national/ChapterRoster.aspx?Chapter=1041-CO-5
He is also still the Chapter Junior Vice Commander:
http://www.purpleheart.org/members/national/ChapterOfficers.aspx?Chapter=1041-CO-5
And his Enabler, Bill Schwarz, is still in the PV9 Gainey Cricket Mode.
Cocksucker. Honorable service destroyed by lies. What the fuck is wrong with people?
Seems to me something is starting to come into focus. That being, a lot of the phonies we see on this site and others move up to a position of some level of leadership, as a non-paid volunteer, but also as a supposedly vetted, reliable and trust worthy individual. This is their way of “earning their bones”, i. e. creating a person of respect and integrity. By volunteering for positions that a lot do not want, due to the time it takes to fulfill those roles, one becomes a person to honor and admire. Not to mention BELIEVE. Surely no one of that level of leadership can be an outright liar, right???? Who’s to question when so many other false heroes will vouch for them? Regrettably it leaves veterans wondering whether to take serious an interest in belonging to organizations which are believed to be run by tested and vetted honorable veterans. That does not limit itself to the Al, VFW, or any other veteran-run group. Fairly easy to get up on top of the chain of leadership if you work hard enough to command respect for your efforts..regardless as to whether or not you are a damned liar and phony S O B. By that time all the minions who some may be of questionable background to begin with stand in line to be known as your supporter.
This guy is as full of shit as any poser ever exposed on this site. The likelihood of the A L doing the honorable thing and removing this fake from office would compare to the possibility of Shillery showing us she is double jointed and can bend forward, put her head between her legs, and kiss her own ass while still standing. Anybody out there got a flying cow?
I could not agree with you more Jarhead. These fuckers do this to compensate for their lies with the hope that when they are outed, they will be forgiven due to their “good works”. I will not forgive these jitbags.
PERFECTO!!!!!!
Jarhead: Thank you! May I add to this revelation?
How many veterans are turned down for work because of these phonies? The real vet can’t get hired because the local phony with the oat meal cluster on his silver spoon has been found out to be a lying dirt bag smegma swiller? An employer may think twice about accepting a real vet’s bona fides.
Yep!
Retired boat sailor, 22 years. Maybe he got his Purple Heart from licking the Baby’s belly for Blue Nose! Staph infections can be quite tricky!
Question: In 1971 I had been in the Army 20 months. I went before the promotion board for E-6. When the list came out I was number 1. We received one stripe that month on Okinawa. A full Bird came to see me in my office and asked if I would Give up my stripe to a E-4 who had been in the Army for 18 years and had three kids. He knew that I only had one month left on Okinawa and would be getting a 90 day early out to return to college. I asked him what was in his hand and he said that it was my promotion orders. So I said I am a Spec. 6 and he said today you are. I told him that his man could have my stripe. So what rank was I? My DD214 has Spec. 5.
Am confused by your question, Steve.
If the Full Bird had promotion orders for you, don’t understand how your promotion went to another Soldier.
Do you still have a copy of the list designating you as being selected for SP6?
And a copy of the Promotion Orders?
Sorry…this all sounds very strange to me, but I was not in the Military in 1971.
If you do have those documents, you can always go to the Army Board of Corrections and request correction of your rank to SP6.
If approve, you will get a DD215 with a new Rank.
Just maybe…..but going to E-6 in 20 months???
E-6 in just 20 months????….I don’t buy that shit for a minute.
SSgt (E-6) USMC
Jonn, do you have the rest of his Page 4? I’m not seeing that he even did the PARS for RM 1&C.
Good point that was Mandatory for you old salts back then to take the test for advancement correct…
NECCSEABEECPO: No, You had to be recommended by your boss at work. In my case SSGT. Had I not given my stripe away I would have been the Highest ranking enlisted man on Okinawa that did not go to NCO School. Under two years in the Army.
I think the Navy was different. You had to be recommended to take what they called GMT/PARS test or something like that and have PARS signed off for that pay grade.
That system went away my second year in 1991. The Navy takes test for advancement still do today and now the test has Basic Military questions 30 of them on Navy and DOD stuff and the rest of the 200 question test is your rate (MOS)Knowledge.
The other Solder was number 2 on the list. He would not give me a copy of my orders because he stated that he was going to resend them. I did not thank to get a copy of the list. I kept a low profile as I was a Draftee and the other solders RA’s was not to happy with me for trying take rank from them.
Wait, you were a draftee, so what? You either earned the rank or kissed lots of ass to get it. Last I remember from the 70’s, making the next stripe wasn’t known to be a cakewalk. The NCO boards were tough to pass. Maybe I just don’t get it. Draftee my ass, not an inch of difference you were a soldier. Fuck that draftee/RA crap.
Steve, a liitle bit more confusing.
You wrote the other Soldier was an E4 (SP4?).
You were a SP5.
Again, was not in the Army in 1971, but how did an E4/SP4 go before an E6 board and come out #2?
I never heard of someone jumping 2 Ranks ahead in any promotion board.
And he was an E4 with 18 years? Something does not seem right about that as well.
Was the Promotion Board an “internal” board or was it an Army Board?
Was the Full Bird your Brigade Commander? It seems that the NCO Chain of Command was completely left out.
Doesn’t matter that you were a Draftee and others volunteered. You served our country. And the Army does not care how many munchkins a Soldier has.
Sorry I”m asking all of these questions, but something just does seem right…unless the ROE was different in 1971 when it came to promotions.
Any US Army Vietnam Vets here that can share their thoughts or feelings on Steve’s post based on experience?
AnotherPat…..I was in Vietnam in 1971. I too was a draftee. Arrived in country as a E-2. I left as a E-5 Sgt. I also went before a board to get my E-5 stripes. I never heard of anyone during my time skipping a rank. I guess anything is possible. But I never heard of such a thing
Also. Before going before the board, there was a written test in your MOS. if you bolod that, no joy. You didn’t even make it to the promotion board
No you cannot skip a rank. The other solder was a Spec.4, went to Spec. 5.
ANY RANK COULD GO BEFORE THE BOARD. MY ROOMMATES WERE ALL SPEC.4, ALL RA’S. THE COL.WAS IN CHARGE OF PROMOTIONS. HE BROUGHT THE SPEC.4 FOR ME TO MEET. HE HAD DONE HIS HOME WORK ON ME AS MY WORK MATES TOLD ME HE HAD BEEN LOOKING FOR ME ALL DAY. I WENT TO WORK AT 5 IN THE AFTERNOON. HE ASK ME IN FRONT OF MY WORKMATES AND STATED THAT YOU ARE ALREADY A SPRC.5 AND YOU WOULD NOT BE IN THE ARMY LONG ENOUGH TO GET A SALARY INCREASE. WHAT COULD I SAY.
Steve, please don’t “shout” at me using Caps.
Thank you.
You initially stated that you went before an E6 Board.
Which I am assuming everyone who went before the board were E5s.
How can any rank go before an E6 board?
And again, where was the NCO Chain of Command?
Where were you in Okinawa?
THE OTHER SOLDER WAS PROMOTED TO E5.
THE COL. ALSO TOLD ME THAT THE OTHER SOLDER HAD TO BE A E5 TO STAY IN THE ARMY AFTER 20. ANY ONE OUT THERE THAT REMEMBERS THIS MY FIRST NAME IS HENRY. I WAS SPEC.5 HENRY WEEKS.
Steve…the more you post, the more you are starting to sound like Henry the 8th. Tread lightly, you are in a crowd of experienced folks who have a keen sense of smell.
Iam sorry I was with the 258th personal service co. My MOS was 71L20 Admin. Spec. My last assignment was Sect. to Lt. Gen. James Lambert. I was station on Naha, Okinawa from July 1970 to Sept. 1971. I was Drafted on Dec. 5, 1969. I did combat basic training at Fort Jackson, SC. I went to AIT clerk typist also at Fort Jackson next went to Fort Sam Houston for Medical Records Training. Went from there to VN, Did not need my MOS. Transfer to Okinawa as Personnel Spec. Promoted to Admin. Spec. Assigned to HQ and Gen. Lambert Office. I was on Okinawa for over 13 months got 90 day early out to attend Grad. School at U. of Ga.
The NCO chain of commend recommend me for promotion. We had to present out self before a Board made up officers and NCOS. We were drill for about 30 min. There were about 16 Solders who went that day with me. We were competing for a stripe. When the list was posted I expected to be at the botton of the list, however I was at the top the very top. When I was promoted to E5 I was again at the top of the list, We had three strips that month. I still thank that I am right, that at that time any enlisted rank could go before the Board. You can tell that I did not major in English.
I know that it has been over 40 years and I am not a spring chicken but I think I am right.
3/17 Air Cav: Thank you for the feedback. Steve, I think I understand what you are now saying. You and the other Soldier both went before promotion boards, not an “E6” Promtion Board. Your Chain of Command was given promotion authority because of the timeframe/Vietnam Conflict and the need for leadership in the NCO Corps based on Vietnam. Your Chain of Command was given the authority to promote a certain number of Soldiers per month/quarter, etc.etc. And in your case, only one promotion was allowed, whether the Soldier was an E2, E3, E4,E5. You and the other Soldier were both recommended by the board. You were Number 1 on the list and the other Soldier was Number 2. Hope this is a correct scenario. Again, I may be wrong since I did not serve in that time period, but I never heard that a Soldier had to be an E5 or else he could not have retired. I’m curious now and plan to do some research and find Army Regulations for that time period about that rule. I do know in the 1980s, there was an Up or Out Policy…QMP..that is, if a Soldier did not make Rank within a certain time period, he or she was out. It was based on Military Schooling, PT Scores, Job Performances, etc.etc. Even though if a Soldier was a great E3 or E4 and was great at digging ditches and nothing else, the Army still wanted Leadership, NCOs…and some of the Soldiers who were great Ditch Diggers lacked motivation in taking Correspondence Courses to increase their points in getting selected for promotion or did the minimal on scoring for PT. And once again, it sounds very odd the 06 would do what he did. There has to be more to the story as to why the promotion went to someone who was an E4/SP4 with 18 years (which tells me the Soldier came in during the Korean War Conflict). Sadly, unless you have proof by paper that you were selected to be a SP6, there is no need to go before the Army… Read more »
World War II submarine commander and Medal of Honor recipient Eugene Fluckey was quoted as saying he was most proud of one thing: “No one who ever served under my command was awarded the Purple Heart for being wounded or killed, and all of us brought our Barb back safe and sound.”
Was that the submarine that “sunk” a bridge AND a train?
Not sure about the bridge, but the train – yes. That occurred during the only ground combat action on the Japanese mainland during World War II.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Barb_%28SS-220%29#Pacific_Theater_-_Sixth_through_thirteenth_patrols
Interestingly, that was NOT the patrol for which the boat received the PUC and for which her skipper received the MOH. Those honors were awarded for the boat’s previous patrol.
Helluva boat and crew – with exceptional leadership.
Yes, it was the same then. They rigged a bridge to explode as the train was crossing. They took out the bridge, took out a troop train, and the falling debris prevented any ships from passing. A triple play. What hasn’t this been made into a movie?
While I am on a roll, question for Hondo. We were moving Nerve Gas down HY 1 with fixed Bannetsand the locals came out and through these large rocks at us. My helmet was knock off and I was struck over my left eye. Big scar till this day. Treated on the spot by Medic. Can I get a Purple Heart?
Steve, I’m not Hondo and I’m throwing in my assessment even though you did not ask me.
When you say locals, are you speaking of the Viet Cong, the Okinawins or US folks?
If you were treated by a Medic, then that injury should be in your Medical Records. If wounded by the enemy, usually the Authority for the PH would have cut the orders and awarded you the PH while in Theater.
Note I used the word “usually.”
Again, if you have proof that you were injured by the Enemy, that is, Medical Documentation, recommend you apply to the Army Board of Corrections for their assessment and determination.
Have to admit am now curious as to why you are now inquiring about your possible eligibilty for a PH.
Don’t know the extent of your injuries.
At least you are an honest person and stated you were a 71L and told the truth about your injury and did not make up stories about being an SF Trooper, a RANGER or convincing others you were awarded a PH with a forged document for a Punji Stick wound (Google Frank Visconi…).
And now I turn this over to Hondo. He is the TAH Wikipedia. ?
No, but it does qualify for a free Happy Meal. Get a patch for your eye, learn from the posers outed on this site, and you can be right up there with them.
Thank You for the Kind Words Sir, It the Okinawins.
Steve, you are welcome.
The Okinawins were not our enemy or terrirists during the Vietnam Conflict, so, in reality, you do not qualify for a PH.
Best of luck to you. And again, please remember you served our country and made SP5 in a short time period.
Be proud of yourself and for your family.
And be happy you came home NOT having a PH. And I’m serious.
Take care.
Thanks Again
Steve: my guess is no. As AnotherPat has noted, the Okinawans – who were Japanese citizens – were not our enemies at the time. And it wasn’t until 28 March 1973 that eligibility for the Purple Heart was extended to military personnel wounded or killed in terrorist incidents. The Purple Heart has never to my knowledge been authorized for military personnel injured during civil unrest.
Not the answer you wanted to hear, obviously. But that’s my “read” on it. I make no claim of infallibility.
Out.
Thanks, I did not think so.
The other solder had to be a E5 to reinlist not to retire.
Could those who want to discuss off-topic stuff kindly take it to the WOT? Especially on weekends, when we have that designated place to talk about everything else under the sun.
Nope – I got no standing in making that request other than just being an interested participant. The discussion of Army promotions in the midst of a Navy PH poser is at least confusing.
Too late for this one, and it’s not as if anyone is seriously aggrieved by others going off topic. It does happen and is seldom fatal. 😉
Thanks muchly.
Good point OWB…and I plead GUILTY. My only excuse is being baited by a topic switcher. Don’t guess Gainey had anything to do with this do you?
Sorry Friend want happen again.
Steve.
Hope you continue to read TAH.
WOT is Weekend Open Thread which is just as OWB stated: Using weekends to discuss anything or ask any questions.
Jonn posts this every Friday. Great exchange between everyone…and pretty funny ones as well.
Jarhead mentions Gainey. If interested and if you find the time, recommend you go to this site and read about him that are embedded in the comment section (there are about 600 comments).
http://valorguardians.com/blog/?p=63422
AnotherPat, Thanks Again, You have been very kind in trying to understand what I was trying to say. I have been reading TAH for about five years now and enjoy most comments and also learn how others feel about their military experience. May God Bless You and Your Family.
??
Strange story indeed. Maybe he imagined how he could possibly be wounded while being on a sub and given what was going on in the world at the time?
Perhaps Beirut was his “high water mark” and his imagination created something so vivid he believed it himself, or at least felt others would as he must have felt it was plausible.
How many are bogged down in some foxhole and create imaginary scenarios of what they would do if this or that happened? i.e. charging at the enemy with both guns blazing, pulling the grenade pin with their teeth when out of ammo, etc.
Maybe that’s the case and Imperato cannot separate reality from fantasy?
Or maybe he is just simply a liar and it’s not that complicated?
He is simply a liar.
As a former boomer sailor, I can say for a fact that there is no way in hell that an SSBN would be surfaced and close enough to Lebanon that an RPG would have any effect.
Yo Joey, Go fuck yourself cocksucker.