False Honor

A U.S. Army reservist was given five months in federal prison this week for wearing medals he didn't earn.

Maj. Anthony Calderone apologized as he was sentenced Tuesday for unauthorized wearing of military medals, making false official statements and fraud.

Calderon had told other members of his Utah reserve unit he had previously served with the Utah National Guard 19th Special Forces Group (SFG) in Afghanistan in the 1980s and later served in Somalia. He also wore a Silver Star, the third-highest award for valor in the U.S. military, and used it in his application for promotion to major.

In reality, Calderone did two tours in Iraq but wasn't decorated and never served with the Green Berets in Somalia or Afghanistan.

Also noted was that the federal prosecutor in the case actually was part of the 19th SFG.

Author: Deseret Morning News