L-R:William Port and James Castaldi

Next of kin to receive Silver Star posthumously awarded to KIA Vietnam Veteran James Castaldi – 47 years after his death.

James Castaldi, was born December 31, 1942, son of Philadelphia Police Officer James Castaldi and Violet (Caravello) Castaldi. When his father died in 1945, his mother remarried and moved to Magnolia, Camden County NJ.

He entered the Army (5/7 Cav) in 1967.

Unfortunately, along with over 57,000 others, he never made it home.

On January 12, 1968, 1st Platoon of C Company made contact with a well-concealed, large NVA force in the Que Son Valley, which grew into a brutal battle and lasted all afternoon into the dark. Beating back the enemy force and retrieving this platoon eventually involved three platoons of C Company, and elements of B Company and A Company. At the end, three men were killed and many men were wounded. Bill Port was grievously wounded, captured by the enemy, and later died of his wounds as a POW.

Bill Port received the Medal of Honor posthumously, nine others received the Silver Star(two posthumously) and a like number received the Bronze Star with V.

Lost in this epic battle was recognition of one of its most heroic soldiers, Jim Castaldi. He held his ground throughout the long and brutal fight, fighting the enemy with his M-60 machinegun until the ammo was gone, and kept fighting with a pistol.

Many Vietnam veterans are haunted by brave young soldiers who were killed in Vietnam, and whose heroic acts of courage went undocumented. For Tom Golden, platoon leader at the time of the battle, Jim Castaldi was such a man. After Golden reconnected a few years ago with Mike Davison, the C Company commander, Mike took the initiative to fully account for that battle in January 1968. Through Mike’s efforts to submit a documented award recommendation forty-seven years later, with the critical testimony from several of Jim’s platoon mates, the Department of the Army approved the award of the Silver Star to James Castaldi.

On Saturday, May 16th, at 11:00AM, the American Legion Post 372 will be hosting the Silver Star Presentation, where the surviving family (Castaldi’s cousin – Havertown, PA resident Anthony Caravello) will be presented with his citation and Silver Star. On hand for the presentation will be Lt Gen Mike Davison (ret), Company Commander at time Castaldi was killed, COL (Ret.) Charlie Baker, Battalion Operations Officer, Tom Golden, Platoon Leader at time Castaldi was killed, and other members of 5/7 Cav.

Camden County Freeholders, Camden County Veterans Affairs, Gold Star mother, Melinda Kane, and others will be among local dignitaries participating in the ceremony as well.

The Presentation is open to the public. There will be a lite buffet luncheon following the Presentation.

American Legion Post 372, 1532 Martin Ave., Cherry Hill, NJ 08002

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Saturday, May 16, 2015 – SILVER STAR PRESENTATION – 11am

Join us for SILVER STAR PRESENTATION to the family of Camden County Vietnam KIA James Castaldi on Saturday May 16th at 11am. Cpl James Castaldi was killed in action in Vietnam on Jan 12, 1968. Now, some 47 years later, his heroism will be recognized. Lt Gen Mike Davison Jr (ret) – his Company Commander in Vietnam, and Tom Golden, his Platoon Leader, along with others from his battalion, will be coming to town and will present Castaldi’s family with the Silver Star. Other local dignitaries will be on hand to join inthe Presentation. Lite Lunch Buffet to follow. All welcome

For those interested in MOTORCYCLE ESCORT / FLAG LINE:

Join Warriors Watch, Legion Riders, Nam Knights and friends to escort the following Vietnam Veterans, who  are coming in from out of town to present the Silver Star to the family of James Castaldi;

Michael S Davison, Jr. Lt General (ret) US Army
Charles Baker, Colonel (ret) US Army
Thomas Golden
Andrew Westin
Bill Hynes

Rally Location: American Legion, 1532 Martin Ave., Cherry Hill, NJ
Rally Time: 9:45am
KSU: 10:05am
The escort will proceed to Crowne Plaza Hotel in Cherry Hill to meet/greet and escort back to the Legion.
After the escort, – FLAG Line in the Legion Hall for the Presentation. Flag Line to be in place by 10:50pm.