Project: Fallen Hero  

Honoring the memory of Maj. Jeffery R. Calero,

Commander ODA 2132, Company C, 1st Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne)

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 was born in Puerto Rico and after age 1 raised in Queens Village, N.Y.

He 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.

He is survived by by his father and mother, Raymond and Roselle Calero both of Queens, N.Y. and Dennis Calero of Queens Village; Irene Nauke of Manhattan, and Joyce Crespo of Westbury and three nieces, Amelia, Lauren and Claire.



Awards and decorations:

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

Special Forces Tab

Maj. Calero was also authorized the following Commonwealth of Massachusetts awards:

Mass. Service Medal

Mass. Defense Service Medal

Mass. Defense Expeditionary Medal

Mass. Emergency Service Ribbon