U.S. Supreme Court strikes down law that makes it a crime to lie about military honors

The court decision won't affect local resident Terry Calandra, who lied about his military honors in Vietnam.

The U.S. Supreme Court struck down a federal law making it a crime to lie about having received the Medal of Honor and other prized military awards.

The court ruled 6-3 today in favor of Xavier Alvarez, a former local elected official in California who falsely claimed he was a decorated war veteran.

Alvarez had pleaded guilty to violating a 2006 law that was adopted with the nation at war in Afghanistan and Iraq and aimed at people making phony claims of heroism in battle. The court, in a judgment written by Justice Anthony Kennedy, ordered that his conviction be thrown out.

The court decision won't affect the case of a local man who lied about his military honors in Vietnam.

Terry Calandra, who lived in Forks Township and Belvidere, pleaded guilty in October 2011 to a federal charge that he lied about military honors he received for his service in the Army in Vietnam. The 62-year-old was sentenced to one year of probation and ordered to pay a $500 fine.

The Army had the FBI investigate Calandra for a possible violation of the Stolen Valor Act of 2005 that was struck down today. Federal authorities charged him with making false statements, and Calandra pleaded guilty.

Calandra served in Vietnam from January through July of 1969, earning three Purple Hearts and a number of other commendations. He made up a story that he won the Silver Star by throwing himself on a grenade, and concocted another story to go with the Distinguished Service Cross he claimed to have been awarded, according to federal prosecutors.

Calandra was a candidate for the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest military honor, at the time he was charged.

While Calandra called the decision "a few months too late" for him, he also said he had no intention of trying to get his sentence expunged.

"I never spent any money to defend myself or my honor," Calandra said. "I've moved on from all that, and I'm fine with everything. That's the way it is."

An attorney for Calandra, Robert Woodruff, said the Supreme Court's decision "troubles" him.

"I don't know whether it's in the best interest of the country, of those who place themselves in harm's way and ask nothing for it," Woodruff said.