The Major Richard Star Act, named in honor of a combat-wounded Veteran, is a pivotal piece of legislation designed to correct an unjust pay offset that impacts thousands of medically retired Service Members. The act aims to ensure that Veterans who were forced to medically retire due to combat-related injuries can receive both their full disability compensation and retirement pay without offset.

How Are Veterans Being Penalized?
Under current law, Veterans who are medically retired due to combat-related injuries do not receive their full retirement pay from the Department of Defense (DoD) if they are also receiving disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This creates an offset, meaning their DoD retirement pay is reduced by the amount they receive from the VA, resulting in some Veterans receiving no retirement benefits at all.

The Benefits of the Major Richard Star Act
The Major Richard Star Act offers Veterans the option to receive both their disability compensation and full retirement pay. Veterans will be able to choose whether to stay in the Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) program or opt-out and receive both VA compensation and the full DoD retirement pay. This choice will provide Veterans with the flexibility to select the best option for their individual needs.

What is CRSC?
The Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) program provides tax-free payments to retired Veterans with combat-related disabilities. To be eligible, Veterans must have at least a 30% disability rating and be retired for a combat-related injury. Veterans can choose CRSC or, with the passage of the Major Richard Star Act, opt for the full retirement pay with VA disability compensation.

The Importance of Advocacy
Veterans who qualify for this benefit need our collective voice to get this bill passed. The NCOA is proud to stand with The Military Coalition and organizations like the Wounded Warrior Project in supporting the Major Richard Star Act.

This bill is a long-overdue fix that would give Veterans the benefits they earned and deserve. It's time to correct this injustice and ensure that combat-wounded Veterans are not penalized for their service.

What You Can Do to Help:
We encourage all Veterans, their families, and supporters to take action and contact their legislators to show support for the Major Richard Star Act. Click below to easily send a message to your representatives.

In the spirit of "Each One, Reach One," we’re excited to announce the 2025 Conference Membership Challenge, starting May 19, 2025! This is your opportunity to help strengthen the NCOA family and make a direct impact on our community by bringing in new members.
Here’s How the Challenge Works:

1. Step 1: Sign up one new member between May 19, 2025 and July 21, 2025.
2. Step 2: Once the new member joins, email [email protected] to validate their membership.
3. Step 3: After validation, you’ll receive an exclusive NCOA Executive Director’s Coin for Excellence as a token of appreciation for your support in growing our association.
4. Step 4: Coins will be mailed after the 2025 Annual Conference.

Why Participate?
Membership is at the heart of everything we do at NCOA. Our voice is strongest when we stand together. By participating in the 2025 Conference Membership Challenge, you’re not just helping to grow our numbers, you’re strengthening our collective ability to advocate for Veterans, ensure their voices are heard in D.C., and support our mission of service to those who have served.
This challenge is a great way to not only engage with fellow Veterans and supporters but also to ensure that the NCOA’s voice continues to grow and be heard for years to come.
How to Get Started:
It’s easy to get started! Simply reach out to friends, colleagues, or fellow Veterans who would benefit from being part of the NCOA community and encourage them to join. When they sign up, you’ll be one step closer to earning your Executive Director’s Coin for Excellence.
​If you have questions or need assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’re excited to see the NCOA grow stronger, and we’re even more excited to recognize you for your contribution. Let’s make 2025 the year we truly elevate the power of our community.
For more details or to get involved, please visit ncoausa.org/join.

NCOA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE - May 2025
This is Our Association!
         
Hello Team NCOA!
 
Someone asked me the other day, “Who owns NCOA?” My answer, “The members”! We all play a role in our Association. What role have you been taking? What role are you playing in helping us grow, helping us be more relevant, sharing the word about who we are and what we do? Below are some programs where we need YOUR assistance.

Membership: Help us continue to grow by encouraging someone to join or sponsor a new member. It doesn’t matter if you are a Board Member, NCOA Staff Member, Knight, Vanguard Life Member or a newly joined member, we want everyone to join us in our effort to reach our goal of 2025 New Members this year. For those that are renewing, we appreciate your staying on our Team! Membership Recruitment is a critical ongoing process for the health and future of our Association! This is one area everyone can get involved with! At a minimum share the information with family, friends, and other organizations. Check out the incentive we are including for those that sign up a new member in the next couple of months.
 
War Medallions Recognition Program: Check out this story from the Leader of the NCOA Rogue Chapter - “In a little over 2 years, our chapter alone has awarded 929 Vietnam Medallions to veterans and families of Vietnam veterans who have already passed.  I awarded one Medallion to a woman who saw our medallions and inquired as to what they were.  When I showed her the Vietnam Medallion, she started crying and told me that her husband had just passed away the week before from Agent Orange.  I told her that I would love to present a medallion to her to honor her husband’s service so she would have something to share with her family.  She started sobbing and gave me a tight hug and then allowed me to present it in his honor.  When presenting these Medallions, we thank them for their service and tell them “Welcome Home.”" (Sir Terry Haines).
 
A salute to the Rogue Chapter for their support of this very worthy program. There are other Chapters that have stepped up as well; however, we would like to see more chapters and members get involved. Many members asked for the Gulf Wars/GWOT Medallion since it, as well as the Cold War Medallion, is now available.  For more information, visit our website www.ncoausa.org . To order go to https://www.zeffy.com/ticketing/non-commissioned-officers-association-of-the-united-states-of-americas-shop
 
Conference: Plan to attend our National Conference 15-18 July in Norfolk. Register Now! For planning purposes we need to get a firm idea of how many will be able to join us in Norfolk. Stay alert for updates as we get closer to the event.
 
Lastly, if you have a better idea of how to reach new members, use and share your ideas with others. Visit all our Social Media Outlets. Thank you in advance for your part in helping us achieve our overall goal of being the Military Service Organization of Choice!
 
Continued Blessings to you all in 2025!
 
Strength in Unity®

Joseph Terry
​SGM, U.S. Army (Ret)
NCOA Executive Director
        
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NCOA ​Chairman of the Board Robert Barnett, representing the NCOA Huntsville Chapter, presented a JROTC Award to Hazel Green High School Cadet Ethan Robinson. 

Board nominations due
Individuals wishing to nominate a person for a position to be filled on Non Commissioned Officers Association (NCOA) International Board of Directors must submit nomination packets not later than May 30. Nomination packages should contain a short biographical sketch that will be placed on the NCOA website, a head and shoulders photo and information about the nominee’s NCOA and community involvement.  Nomination packets, or requests for more information, should be addressed to NCOA, Attn: Tina Kish, P.O. Box 33790, San Antonio, TX 78265 or via e-mail to [email protected]. Elections will take place Wednesday, July 16 at the Association’s Annual Membership Business Meeting. Members must be present to cast a ballot.

Auxiliary Seeks Nominations
Auxiliary members wishing to nominate a person for a position to be filled on the Non Commissioned Officers Association (NCOA) International Auxiliary Board of Directors must submit their nomination packets to NCOA Headquarters not later than May 30. Nomination packages should contain a short biographical sketch that will be placed on the NCOA website, a head and shoulders photo and information about the nominee’s NCOA Auxiliary and community involvement. Auxiliary members wishing to nominate an individual, or receive additional information, should contact Tina Kish, NCOA International Auxiliary Liaison, P.O. Box 33790, San Antonio, TX  78265 or via e-mail to [email protected]. Elections will take place Wednesday, July 16 at the Auxiliary’s Annual Membership Business Meeting.

Association Resolutions Due
Chapters or individuals with resolutions to submit on subjects for consideration by the Non Commissioned Officers Association (NCOA) International Board of Directors and the general membership at the 2025 Annual Membership Business Meeting must submit the resolution not later than May 30 to Levi Sadr, NCOA Director of Government Affairs via e-mail to [email protected].

​Happy May, NCOA Family,

First, I would like to thank all of our members who submitted input and provided recommendations for our new Medallions. A huge shout-out to our amazing headquarters staff for their hard work on our new programs.

I hope you're enjoying our new social media presence as we continue to expand and connect with more of our community.

As we take the month of May to remember and honor our Veterans who have made the ultimate sacrifice, I encourage you to pick one day each week to reach out to someone you served with. Your outreach can make a difference and may even save a life.

Our Annual Conference is just around the corner! I hope you're as excited as I am for the event. Norfolk is ready for you and looks forward to showcasing all that the Hampton Roads area has to offer. I’m planning to announce a special "President’s Gift" before the conference... possibly a special raffle!

Today, I had the honor of presenting the NCOA Vietnam War Medallion to Seaman Louis Voorhies aboard the Carnival Valor. Seaman Voorhies served in Operation Eagle Pull, the U.S. Military’s evacuation of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on April 12, 1975. This was a poignant reminder that we have heroes all around us.

Enjoy the month of May, and I’ll see you on the seven seas!


Strength in Unity!®

​Garry A. McClure
FORCM, USN (Ret)
NCOA President

NCOA Board Member Sir Ted Pilihos, PGK, member of the NCOA Fort Sam Houston Chapter, recently presented the NCOA Vietnam Medallion to Dr. Jesse Moss, Jr.  Dr. Moss served in combat as an Army Infantry Officer in Vietnam before he began his medical career.  He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel and is, in Sir Ted's opinion, "one of the best ENT doctors in San Antonio."

The newest member of the NCOA Huntsville Chapter, 1SG (Ret) John Audaine, Auburn High School Army JROTC Instructor, recently presented the NCOA JROTC award to Cadet 1SG Blake Adams.

1SG (Ret) John Audaine, Army JROTC instructor at Auburn High School and NCOA member, presented the NCOA JROTC Award to Cadet 1SG Blake Adams during a recent awards presentation at Auburn High School.

Recently members of the NCOA Sunshine State honor guard detail presented an NCOA World War II medallion to  104 years young, South Pacific veteran. U.S. Navy Aviator Edward Bower of  Spring Hill, FL.

Chapter  Vice Chairman Sidney  Korvun  read the presentation in front of an audience of 100 people.  Edward is still actively working on his automobiles and riding his golf cart.  

Rogue Chapter members stayed busy presenting NCOA Medallions as attested by the presentation photos below.

Additionally, while on a vacation cruise, Rogue Chapter Chairman Terry Haines presented World War II Medallions to a family member of Navy veteran Russell James and Army veteran Charles Middleton. He also presented Korea and Vietnam Medallions to Navy veteran Lewis Fierke. Finally, he presented Vietnam Medallions to Army veterans Dewayne Rancourt and Robert Tell, Air Force veterans Vince Mee, Jan Tolson, Va Xiong, Paul Eckert, Tom Pettit, Joe Ealazzolo, and Gaylon Arisman. Pictures from the presentations on the cruise were unavailable due to the size of the crowd and the time constraints placed on our gathering by the cruise line.

Five members of NCOA's Sunshine State Chapter, who are also members of the VFW Post 10209 Honor Guard, presented  the NCOA World War II Medallion to former 75th Infantry Regiment veteran Jack Cook. Jack who served during combat operations  in the critical Battle of The Bulge was thrilled .  Mr Cook is 99 years young and is the oldest member of the Patriot Guard, a motorcycle group that serves as escorts for veteran's events. Two fellow veterans on our team Bob Linderman (Vietnam War) and Bob Terry (Korean War) posed with Jack displaying their medallions . Mr Cook also gave each team member a personalized military coin.  What a honor to be with him!

​Individuals from the NCOA Sunshine State Chapter and the VFW Military Order of the Cootie recently met at the Pine Hill Cemetery in New Port Richey, FL, to clean up debris and pay tribute to Civil War Union Calvary Sergeant James Huff, a U.S. Army career man who was awarded the Medal Of Honor for his actions in the Indian Wars.  Huff served during the combat operations in both the Indian Wars and the Civil War.  He was 87 years old when he passed away in New Port Richey.

​Spring has sprung! At least it has here in sunny California. Spring is a time of fresh beginnings, hope for a good harvest and hearty growth. What a great segue into the heart of our Association - Membership!
 
Every organization I am involved with is struggling with growth. NCOA is no different, or are we? A lot of us are in the winter of our bloom which means we need to till the fields, plant those seeds, and fertilize and care for our current members. Then we can watch their growth as members and leaders. We all know someone who will benefit by being a bigger part of their communities, by volunteering when called and truly making a difference to our Veterans, past, present, and future. At the same time providing a network for their families with information, scholarships, grants, support, and friendship.
 
Spring is also a time when many of us "Spring Clean."  To that end our local chapters have a new and exciting project this year. We have partnered with a Veterans Homeless Shelter run by Volunteers of America (VOA). We asked what their top three needs were and the answers were surprising. First Need is new men's underwear. Wait, what? We always think of donating warm clothing, like coats, hats, gloves, socks, etc. During the intake process, the VOA provides a welcome bag with a change of clothes and basic hygiene products. Second Need is men's new or used clean jeans. Again, wait, what? We scour local Goodwill’s, thrift and charity shops (and our own closets) for these.  Third Need is coffee, sugar, and creamer. This one made sense as many of these folks have drug and alcohol addictions and if you have ever attended an AA Meeting, a lot of sugared coffee is consumed. Our local chapters meet the first Wednesday of every month and we have all agreed to bring and donate one of these three items before the meeting. I live close to the shelter and can deliver the items the next day. This year as you "Spring Clean" consider donating those jeans, hoodies, sweats, etc., to a homeless Veterans shelter, or for that matter, any homeless shelter.
 
      NCOA's annual conference will be here before we know it! The conference is in Norfolk, VA - 14-18 July 2025. I look forward to the conference every year. It is a time to learn about the annual events of NCOA, learn from a variety of speakers, renew old friendships, make new friendships and further our commitment to our Veterans. Plan to attend and I'll see you there!

Tammy Sullivan
International Auxiliary President
916-718-7750
www.ncoausa.org

With 50 people in attendance, Cpl. Robert “Bob” Jack Calvillo was honored with the Non Commissioned Officers Association (NCOA) Korean War Medallion presented by NCOA Central Valley Chapter Chairman CMSgt Jim Sullivan, USAF (Ret) at Carlton Senior Living Orangevale.
Additionally, the offices of Rep. Kevin  Kiley CA-3, Assemblyman Josh Hoover AD-7 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of California gave special certificates of recognition to Cpl. Calvillo – who belongs to Folsom VFW Post 6604 – acknowledging his heroic sacrifices serving in the Korean War and unfortunate subsequent capture as a Prisoner of War. Special guests in attendance included Senior Vice Commander of the VFW Department of California SFC David Kuta (Ret), Placerville VFW Camerado Post 10165 Commander US Army CSM Lenny McAdams (Ret) and VFW Auxiliary Post 6604 Chaplain Kelle Hernandez.
Calvillo, the second of eight children, was born Aug. 21, 1929, in Oakland. He joined the US Army in 1948 for a three-year enlistment. In August 1950, he boarded a troop ship to Korean. Once in country, he was attached to IX Corps, 2nd Infantry Division Field Artillery, 38th Field Artillery Battalion, Bravo Co., as a Private First-Class field cook. Calvillo found himself on the main battle lines in North Korea.
On an extremely humid, blustery cold Korean Peninsula Day, in the early hours of Dec. 1, 1950, performing his job as a field cook and not knowing of his future plight or US Army Forces predicament in the coming hours, Cavillo and his company band of brothers were behind enemy lines. By mid to late afternoon, they were suddenly overrun by North Korean and Chinese soldiers, with and without weapons, as he remembers, swarming down like a crashing wave from the mountains.
Calvillo found a rifle in hands during the chaos. He encountered a Chinese soldier in a foxhole and remembers vividly the moment when he stared at this “scared, young kid.” As his finger was squeezing the trigger, he released the pressure just below the 4½ pounds needed for the firing pin to hit the cartridge releasing the full metal jacket, only to let the enemy go. He could not shoot an unarmed enemy combatant. Afterward, “I hid in the bushes with another soldier close by to two lifeless bodies of North Korean soldiers. I was thinking they were going to shoot us when they caught me. Blame us for killing them,” Bob said.
The overwhelming numbers of the enemy were too much for US forces to repel and subsequently the soldiers were quickly surrounded by the North Korean and Chinese armies. Calvillo was captured in the early evening hours at the Battle of the Ch’ongch’on River, becoming one of many Prisoners of War. According to Robert, “When they surrounded us and captured me, I thought it was the end. I thought they would kill us. After the enemy came marching down and surrounded us, all I had was a field shirt, trench coat, boots and scarf. I lost my steel helmet. They took us captive, marching us north.”
They now led the demoralized American Battalion deeper into North Korea on a long, cold trek, village to village, house to house, shack to shack, finally to where they were only sleeping under a canopy of stars. En route north, Calvillo saw a mass enemy Army march in large groups past him heading south toward entrenched US forces with the captives not knowing their fate. The Chinese and North Koreans were advancing against the US Army and pushing the battle lines further back with the Americans in fast retreat. However, Robert’s predicament would only worsen the longer he stayed alive.
Calvillo remarked on his overall feeling of his time as a POW, “It was terrible. terrible. The North Koreans were mean.” He remembered while on his journey north, “I went outside this house they had us in to (urinate). I was forced by a North Korean back into the house or they’d shoot me. If you didn’t do what they say, the North Koreans will shoot you. Sheltering outside, sleeping under the frigid cold blanket of the Korean winter was terrible.”
One of Calvillo’s most horrible memories described in few words, “One guy I knew tried to escape running up a hill after (our) capture and (the North Koreans) just shot him without saying anything. He was a nice guy.”
They left the unknown soldier for his family to never truly know his fate. This memory reel still plays over and over in his mind, Bob said. He and the US Army prisoners were marched further north toward the Yal-Lu River during the coldest part of winter, without winter gear, arriving at the border between North Korea and China. The American POWs ended up in “Prison Camp 5,” where he was kept for more than two years under atrocious living conditions and severe inclement weather. The prison camp was manned by Chinese guards, where they separated the officers from the enlisted with other separate groups.
Although the Chinese captors were much better hosts than the North Koreans, Calvillo recalled, “Two guys escaped from the Chinese camp and were never seen again. The Chinese told us if you get captured by the North Koreans, we can’t be responsible for what they do.” The Chinese captors from time to time would tell them they were being set free, only to suffer under the false pretenses of hope being mentally tortured.
“We didn’t have shelter. When it snowed, me and two other prisoners would cover ourselves with a mattress to try to keep warm. That was the only warmth not to die,” he said. By this time, Robert only had his field coat during his time as a prisoner lucky to have boot wear. American POWs were not supplied anything extra since their capture. Said Calvillo, “Once a day, they fed us, (and) all they gave us (was) simple things and rice. Fed usually mid morning with a cup of rice. Most times, the meal of the day was known as ‘soupy soup.’ ”
At times, the wardens would force Robert into a 35-gallon barrel for at least 30 minutes at a time to be unusually cruel. He said he would tell his captors he couldn’t fit into the barrel. It was made clear if he did not fit himself into the barrel, he would be killed, so he made himself fit into the barrel and sealed up in the unimaginable limited space no human should endure. The physical torture, combined with constant spiritual degradation, mixed with emotional turmoil, coupled with mental abuse, his captors again and again would toy with their American prisoners, telling them they would be released soon, giving them false hope as the months and years dragged on.
There were many times he faced serious health conditions that could have cost him his life, as well as having the hardship of losing many of his friends, but Bob, as he is known by close family and friends, kept with his faith, determined to live.
In the spring of 1953, after two years in a POW prison camp, PFC Calvillo was abruptly taken on an unknown journey. Robert thinks back to his release, saying, “They had all of us load up into their trucks. They drove miles and miles through the forests. I thought they’re going to shoot us, they had guns. When they would stop for a break, (they would be) surrounding us, I thought, ‘This is the end.”
The day came for his repatriation. Operation Big and Little Switch were in full operational swing repatriating Americans and UN members. Bob was transported to Freedom Village for his complete repatriation, where he received medical treatment, food, shower and fresh uniform. He then boarded a ship back to America with other troops and prisoners. Calvillo described his release into American custody as a lackluster affair.
After returning home, Cpl. Robert Calvillo soon separated from the Army, later attending the Academy of Art College. He met his wife, Carmine, at Kay Jewelers, where he worked in the display department. He owned a couple of businesses with his two younger brothers. He is a humble, talented artist and enjoys sketching and listening to big band music. He still enjoys spending time with his wife of 62 years, with his only child, Melissa, and son-in-law Greg Deal being actively involved in his life.
Robert Calvillo is a hero, having endured more than most soldiers being a captive of the enemy. Surviving against the odds of captivity, lack of clothing, food and shelter, and the basic necessities of survival, he made it back alive but forever scarred. He showed true stoicism during the interviews, sharing with me his horrible memories from more than 70 years ago as a Prisoner of War. Robert suffers from Post Traumatic Stress, at times, staring into the distance with quiet intensity as he told his horrible experiences, unable to hide back his emotions no matter how hard he tried to be in the present moment.
In September 2018, the Pentagon finally awarded Bob his long-deserved medals. His nephew, Corporal David Penaflor, presented Bob with five military medals, including the National Defense Service, Korean Service, United Nations, Prisoner of War, and Service medals (Korea).
Excerpts of interviews with Bob Calvillo were also contributed by David to place Bob’s story into the halls of perpetuity.

Article by S. Moncalieri, Gold Country Media. (Feb 26, 2025)
​Photo Credit: Courtesy