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.
Category: Politics
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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…..
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!
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…
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’.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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….?
They are drinking some very special crazy juice, thats the only explanation…
What a coincidence. March 23-25,1969 is the same time Col. David Hackworth received his DSC. How cool. Or not.
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?
Could the Army have sent it to the wrong guy?
Lol, probably not.
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.
Right, I still don’t think Bobby will get the CMH any time soon.
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.
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.
But I’d bet his bunk was close by.
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?… Read more »
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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)
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.
Another problem with the DSC. Says “Co. D 4th Batallion, 39th Infantry Bde 9th Infantry Div..” That should be 39th Infantry Regiment.
SS medal! Lt. John Roberson III was an acting company CO. not an FO….according to Hackworth’s book.
I give up! this is starting to read like a bad novel…..
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?
your whole blog is bs
Why’s that?
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.
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)
http://www.pownetwork.org/phonies/phonies1055.htm