Major Jeffrey Calero Killed In Afghanistan

Theta Chi has lost another brave brother who died protecting our freedom. Major Jeffery Calero, Delta/Rensselaer '95 was killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan. Brother Calero was on his second tour of duty in the Middle East. He was a member of the Special Forces, having earned the Green Beret in 2001.

You can read more about Brother Calero at these posting at New York Daily News.com, and two posting at Newsday.com, here and here.

The photo of the White Rose and Red Carnation to the right was taken from this post at USA Today.com

The following is from Brother Calero's office Special Forces biography:

Major Jeffrey R. Calero, 34, was killed in action on Oct. 29, while conducting a combat patrol in the southern Afghan city of Kajaki while serving with ODA 2132 of Company C, 1st Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne).

He deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Summer 2007 as a member of the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force – Afghanistan. This was his second deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Calero, born in Puerto Rico and raised in Queens Village, N.Y. graduated from Saint Francis Preparatory High School in Queens, N.Y. where he excelled in football. Upon graduation he received a partial scholarship to attend Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y. He voluntarily enrolled in ROTC and upon graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1995 was commissioned as a Infantry 2nd Lt. in the U.S. Army. In 2001 he earned the coveted “Green Beret.”

As a civilian, Calero worked in New York City as a Mechanical Engineer. He was working towards earning his Professional Engineering License to open his own firm.

Calero’s military education includes; Combined Arms and Services Staff School, Infantry Officers Advanced Course, Infantry Officer Basic Course, the Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle Course, Basic Airborne Course, Air Assault Course, Ranger Course, Special Forces Qualification Course.

His awards and decorations include three Army Commendation Medals, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Service Ribbon, two Overseas Service Ribbons, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Ranger Tab, and the Special Forces Tab. He was also authorized the following Commonwealth of Massachusetts awards: Mass. Service Medal, Mass. Defense Service Medal, Mass. Defense Expeditionary Medal and the Mass. Emergency Service Ribbon.

Calero was posthumously promoted to the rank of major.

Calero is survived by his father and mother, Raymond and Roselle Calero both of Queens, N.Y.; brother, Dennis Calero; sister, Irene and sister, Joyce Crespo and three nieces, Amelia, Lauren and Claire.

In honor of Brother Calero's sacrifice, the National Eagle will be draped in black for the next week.