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

With February being halfway over March is Women’s History Month, and International Women’s Day is celebrated on Saturday, March 8th so start thinking now what your Chapter can do to celebrate this day. Do you know of a woman who has contributed to our military or your community, state, or country and has made a positive difference? Remember them in March! 

To add to Katrina's Facebook Post from 12 Feb NCOA was Charted by Congress on 6 April 1988 as a Veteran Service Organization. We do not have Veteran Service Officers anymore but that is still our identity. Out of the 43 Veteran Service Organizations Charted by Congress only 15 of them are part of the Military Coalition and NCOA is the only one that works with all 6 branches of the services.
Veterans Service Organizations | House Committee on Veterans Affairs

The NCOA Rogue Chapter hit the ground running in 2025 presenting NCOA Medallions at a number of events.

Lady Vicky Hensley and SGM (Ret) Joseph Terry presented more than 70 NCOA War Medallions at the 38th Annual TET Reunion on Saturday, February 1, 2025,  in Abilene, Texas. The TET Reunion, originally established to commemorate the historic TET Offensive of the Vietnam War, has evolved into a celebration of all U.S. Veterans, regardless of branch or conflict. It’s a time for camaraderie, reflection, and appreciation, where Service Members from every generation can connect over shared experiences.

On January 31, 1968, the TET Offensive marked a significant moment in the Vietnam War. More than 70,000 North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces launched a large-scale attack on over 100 cities and towns across South Vietnam. Named after the Vietnamese New Year, known as “TET”, this event changed the course of the war and remains a defining moment in military history.

Whether you served in Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, or any other era, this event reunites all fellow Veterans and honors the sacrifices they made for our country.

A special thank you to Vicky Hensley, White Line Systems, and the Abilene Grunts Association for sponsoring the 70+ War Medallions. If you would like more information on our War Medallions, or would like to present one to a Veteran you know, visit the NCOA Medallion Program at: ncoausa.org/medallion-and-challenge-coin

​NCOA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S INSIGHTS
FEBRUARY 2025
​
Greetings Team NCOA! 
One Member at a Time. Each One Reach One.
Our Membership Goal ....2025 New Members in 2025!

If you are wondering, how can I help the Association? Here is one way to help and quite frankly, it’s easy. Just sign up or sponsor at least 1 new member from any membership category. Let’s do it! I truly believe we will achieve that goal in very short order. We will provide an update each month so everyone will know our progress. I am asking everyone to participate. Help us increase our Association’s membership. The more members we have the more influence we have when seeking support on issues like The Richard Star Act, Tricare Coverage, Adjustments/Amendments to Quality-of-Life Benefits and opportunities for us to partner with sponsors that offer our members exclusive Discounts and Services.

Speaking of benefits, visit the Membership Benefits page on the website for updated list of our partners. We are working on more, so, continue to read the ADVOCATE Newsletter, support us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Youtube, and regularly visit the website for the latest updates. Share this information with those who you will ask to join us. In many cases all it takes is to ask! It doesn’t matter if you are assigned to a chapter, a new member or Life member signing up new members is something we all can do. 

Remember, we represent all branches of the Military - Active Duty, Retired, Veterans, Reservists, National Guardsmen, spouses, siblings, parents, and children (adults 18-years and up) are all potential members.

Other Goals for 2025

• Learn and share information about our Association and the Benefits of joining (Visit www.ncoausa.org)
• Follow us on social media, tag and share with your family and friends
• Assist in supporting / promoting our War Recognition Medallion Program (New Medallion coming soon)
• Start planning now to attend the 2025 NCOA Conference in Norfolk Va.
• Pledge to make at least a $1.00 Donation to our Benevolent Funds Programs – Every Dollar Counts and can make a Difference!!! Consider donating and share the with others:  zeffy.com/donation-form/one-dollar-can-make-a-difference​

The NCOA Korea Chapter at Camp Humphreys recently participated in a number of events during December in support of several charities to include the Ain Orphanage, the Nazarene Hospital and a bowling event with the severely abused boys shelter. 

Happy 2025, I sincerely hope that everyone had a Joyous Holiday Season and that you're ready to hit deck running in this new year.

We have a change in our government and a location change for our annual conference.   I would ask that you keep our brothers and sisters in the Los Angeles area in your thoughts and prayers.  Please check on your friends and family as the impact of these fires touch many far and near.  Now more then ever is the time to support the goodwill and any organization that provides care and clothing for our fellow citizens who have lost everything.   
 
Great News...our Executive Director and his team, with your support, have designed a beautiful Global Wars on Terrorism Medallion. More to follow. Our Annual Conference is knocking on your door and I look forward to seeing you in Norfolk and hearing about the great things you and your chapters have accomplished. 

The NCOA is strong and only getting stronger!
​
Strength in Unity!®
​Garry A. McClure
FORCM, USN (Ret)
NCOA President