Calandra: PTSD made me lie
Terry Calandra, who we discussed here and here, released a statemnet this weekend blaming his PTSD for his lies about a Silver Star and Distinguished Service Cross “to help justify the things I did over there”. Yeah, he said he earned the Silver Star by jumping on a grenade. First of all, didn’t anyone notice that he wasn’t dead? Secondly, how does telling people that you jumped on a grenade help you justify anything?
Calandra said he returned home in 1970 angry about his experiences and the receptions Vietnam veterans confronted.
He said he watched a friend die in his arms in Vietnam and he’s struggled for more than 40 years to erase the horrors of other experiences. He hasn’t been able to do it.
Millions of people came back angry, but they didn’t start making shit up. he already had 3 Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star – none of which should be sneezed at like Calandra did. What made me suspicious of him in the first palce is the fact that he tried to get Arlen Specter to upgrade his Silver Star to a medal of Honor. Now, I’ve heard of groups of people trying to get someone alse’s medal upgraded, but never have I heard of someone trying to get their own medals upgraded.
The author of the story, in the comments tries to tell the people ripping Calandra to shreds that Calandra isn’t looking for sympathy, but that’s not how the article reads..he blames the war for his cowardly behavior in regards to his pinning on medals and making shit up. Liek I said, millions of motherfuckers went to the war and didn’t come back telling lies. They honored their brothers by being faithful to their memory.
Calandra is a petty fuck.
Thanks to Average NCO for the link.
Category: Phony soldiers
its not enough i guess.
One doesn’t necessarily die from jumping on a grenade. But the probability of it is very, very high.
Being awarded a BS is a privilige, not a right. Being awarded a PH may be your due, but it doesn’t have to happen.
Perhaps the esteem of others is too strong a drug for folks to handle.
I sat on the Army’s Board for the Correction of Military Records for several years, and one man did demand his Silver Star be upgraded to a MOH. He was so adamant that he refused the Silver Star, which itself was an upgrade. His records still reflect the SS, whether or not he “accepted” it.
What I learned about human nature while sitting on that board still amazes me. Some of the most rewarding work I ever did.