Despite a casual demeanor and relaxed speaking style, recently retired Special Operations Air Force Chief, Chuck Kaczmarczyk, had a captive audience of UT students in the Hodges Library as he told story after story of about his role in special operations missions over the past 30 years.
Kaczmarczyk discussed the final evacuation of Saigon in April 1975, the rescue of American citizens from Cambodia in 1975, a complicated rescue attempt to Iran in 1980 and a recently declassified military operation in Zaire in 1980.
He explained the internal dynamics of each military operation, the complexity and importance of these Special Operations missions.
We have the ability to walk around our streets care-free, and in other countries, Israel for example, they don't have that. Chuck Kaczmarczyk The retired Air Force Chief described his enrollment in the military not in terms of patriotic duty, but instead with a laugh.
"Chicks dig guys in tight flight suits," he chuckled. But a deep commitment to serve his country was immediately apparent in the way he spoke about his work and fellow soldiers.
On Nov. 4, 1980 on an Army base in Florida, Kaczmarczyk recalled being summoned to respond to what would be later known as the Iran Hostage Crisis. He didn't return to his home for over 110 days.
After months of special training in Guam and a squabble by military politicians, he flew to the remote mountains of Iran to execute a rescue mission of the hostages being held in the American Embassy.
However, because of a poorly planned base location and equipment failure, the joint task force was ordered to abort the rescue mission.
"You can read about his stuff in history books, but he was there," one student from audience explained.
"Have you ever faced an ethical dillema in the special forces?" one student asked.
He proceeded to tell the story of a team of Navy SEALs hiding in the mountains of Afghanistan. The team was discovered by some local sheep farmers. Although the farmers could disclose the soldiers' top-secret location, they were released. Within an hour, a local militia attacked the American soldiers. The unit lost three of its four members.
"We have a long way to go. We have the ability to walk around our streets care-free, and in other countries, Israel for example, they don't have that," Kaczmarczyk said in response to the current war on terror.
Kaczmarczyk hopes to share what he's been through by speaking to students.
"The military isn't for everybody, and I just want to share my experiences in a historical sort of way."
Comments
Bob commented, on April 9, 2008 at 4:22 p.m.:
How about some serious editing revisions on this one? Is "though" not supposed to be "through"?
Joseph OGERSHOK commented, on April 10, 2008 at 8:21 a.m.:
I think this guy used some poetic license. That event, the discovery of the team in the 'hide," occured during the first Gulf War with a US Army Special Forces team from the 5th Group. SEAL's are still sailors but can be referred to as warriors. The phrase is "Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines."
Scott Wofford (reporter) commented, on April 10, 2008 at 6:56 p.m.:
Hey Joseph,
I wanted to follow up to make sure my story is accurate.
Are you saying that I should change the terms "soldier" in the 11th paragraph to "warriors"? Honestly, I'm not very familiar with US Military terminology and I appreciate your help to make the story accurate.
Don 067 commented, on April 12, 2008 at 5:47 p.m.:
The Seal Afghanistan op. got the survivor the C M of H and it was done in last 4 or 5 yr.
P Bush gave/handed it to M L.(I cant spell his name). Have got the book, right-wing radio railed against "the rules of engagement" was why they released the youthful sheepherders. Since M L was raised in TX Tejanos must have quite shooting sheepherders on general principals.
Anthony commented, on April 19, 2008 at 3:19 p.m.:
Is this guy for real? Seems like he has rewritten history to make himself seem important. This is sad and someone before he speaks again should do some research on appropriate speakers.
veteran commented, on May 12, 2008 at 3:56 p.m.:
To All,
This individual is not a retired CMSgt. He tried to do this once before in New Hamsphire, was caught and then left the state. I will be reporting this to the Fraud section "Stolen Valor Act". He is a disgrace and this is an insult to all uniformed members both active and retired.
Veteran II commented, on May 13, 2008 at 3:07 p.m.:
I remember the New Hampshire incident involving this guy. Wasn't he a Manchester firefighter who lost his job for suspicion of commiting acts of Arson? I recall the newspaper articles said when they searched his house he had a cabinet full of forged military medals and awards and was in possession of stolen property from the old Pease Air Force Base.
Veteran II commented, on May 13, 2008 at 3:11 p.m.:
THIS GUY IS A FRAUD! Here is a snipit from a July 2001 article in The Union Leader newspaper:
Plea deal for firefighter implicated in fires
Author: NANCY MEERSMAN Union Leader Staff
Publication: New Hampshire Union Leader (Manchester, NH)
Page Number: b1
A Manchester firefighter charged with setting fires at the New Boston satellite tracking station and possessing radios stolen from military bases avoided jail yesterday by pleading guilty to a single felony.
Charles C. Kaczmarczyck, 47, 64 Bog Brook Road, New Boston, was sentenced in Hillsborough County Superior Court to one year in the county jail, suspended. He admitted possessing two hand-held radios that belonged to the New Hampshire Air National Guard's air refueling unit
Veteran III commented, on May 14, 2008 at 7:39 a.m.:
Do you ever check the background of your speakers? This man should be in jail for what he did. He is not a retired CMSGT, nor did he do any of the items that he claimed. I would think that a ROTC unit at a major university would do a better job to bring the respectable speaker to talk to impressible young adults. I’m a 23 year veteran of the USAF and my son is currently active and just returned for Iraq and to read what this fraud spoke about is an insult to my and every ones service to their country. Next time, do a little more research before letting someone talk.
NH Firfighter commented, on May 31, 2008 at 7:01 p.m.:
This guy is a scam a felon and has other arrests in New Hampshire. He is also was arrested for Homicide in TN.
What a nut, he should be jailed.
TN Veterans Affairs commented, on June 15, 2008 at 1:11 p.m.:
You all might want to take a step back and research data before making statements that are not true. Run a current NCIC check...no record...we did in TN and found no criminal record of any sort. Don't believe everything that you read, there may be a reason for it. Hmm...arrested for homicide...don't think so...no record exists. This individual checked out with our veterans organization 100%...his awards and decorations had been classified for over 30 years and were released in 2004 after the VA requested them. His current rank was granted by the Air Force Board of Corrections to Military Records. Don't throw stones until you have ALL the facts,it could bite you in the ASS!!
TN Veterans Affairs commented, on June 15, 2008 at 1:30 p.m.:
I forgot to mention that this veteran is rated as 100% Permanently and Totally (P&T) Disabled. If you have never heard of a DD215, it is an "official" correction of a DD214. This veteran has so many corrections to his records that the Air Force Military Personnel Center (AFMPC) had to issue a completely new DD214 because of all the "official" corrections. Of course it's easier to throw stones and make accusations rather than find current and accurate data. If you are truly veterans, you should all be ashamed. OBTW, I was in the audience and just to set the record straight, he was speaking of Marcus Luttrell, the SEAL team member who lost three (3) of his comrades because of the sheep herder incident. It was NOT an incident that happened during the first Gulf War. This decorated veteran is the "real deal" and I challenge any one of you to dispute (with accuracy) 2 Purple Hearts, 17 Air Medals, 3 Distinguished Flying Crosses, Bronze Star, and Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with 4 Service Stars. I have his records, I'll defend him, I have verified everything in his VA file. Put brain in gear before putting fingers to keyboard. Any challenges? Bring it on!!
Veteran II commented, on June 16, 2008 at 9:31 a.m.:
Just keep fooling yourself. His true identity will reveal itself eventually. Guys like this require the kind of attention and spotlight that will be his downfall (as it was in the past) when his fabricated life stories begin to trip him up or his latest scam victims actually do their homework rather than simply accepting the documentation he provides them. Hold on for the ride....
Veteran III commented, on June 16, 2008 at 10:08 a.m.:
I have the newspaper article about him pleading guilty to a single felony if you would like to see/read it. I agree with veteran II. When it happens, you will feel like a fool in believeing him. We all did when it happened here...
NH Firefighter commented, on June 23, 2008 at 11:27 a.m.:
TN Veterans Affairs, you have been scammed like the rest of us here in NH. It took us a while, he has been arrested in TN for Homicide, was arrested here for arson and theft. He even married the wife of the person he may have murdered. He has used his "disability" to get out of more issues here in NH.
Confused commented, on June 24, 2008 at 8:51 a.m.:
During the time of the Iran hostage crisis, Chuck was a fire fighter in Manchester NH., Not a very good one either.
Confused commented, on June 24, 2008 at 8:53 a.m.:
Scott Wofford you need to research this and bust this case wide open. This guy has made you look like a fool also.
Manchester NH commented, on July 1, 2008 at 5:18 p.m.:
How about the time he was caught stealing Oil from the delivery Co. he was driving for. It was all kept hush, hush as to not embrass the Fire Dept. / Or the time he was caught impersonating a General ( Thats right a General). He also escaped prosecution on that charge. He's just as good getting out of trouble as he is getting into it.
A correction to the murder story. He was never arrested for that but did admit to police to staging the scene, moving the body and taking pictures afterwards. It was still under investigation. One thing is for sure. He's a bad man!! If you believe anything he say your crazy, period.
Concerned commented, on July 5, 2008 at 1:38 p.m.:
A correction to the last post:
Not only did he take pictures after...but also BEFORE he moved the body! He also left the camera at the scene of the crime!! Must be nice to be a handyman, move bodies at crime scenes, set fires, steal, AND collect disability!! If he can do all that, I think disability should also be able to collect all that money back. ATTN: Social Security Disabiltiy!
NH ARNG Vet commented, on July 9, 2008 at 3:19 p.m.:
I was an military technician in the NH ARNG at the state HQ when the arrest happened. I remember it specifically because we used the New Boston site for training.
If the DD-214 that Mr. Kaczmarczyk is using to prove his "awards" is his "corrected" DD-214, you need to look at it twice. The military will not issue a "new" DD-214 regardless of how many DD-215s have been issued. My guess is that the corrected DD-214 is a forgery (yet another felony).
According to records obtained from the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, through a FOIA request and not his "corrected" DD-214, he served in the USAFR 2/27/72-5/29/72, active duty 5/30/72-2/16/84, NHARNG 10/22/84-1/13/87, USAFR 6/7/89-8/18/93. His duty status is discharged at the rank of sergeant, his assignemnets were at KORAT AFB Thailand; State Armory Manchester, NH; HHB Manchester, NH; Hurlburt Field, FL. His awards and decorations are the AF Commendation Medal with 1 OLC, National Defense Service Medal with 2 BSSs, AF Longevity Award with 1 OLC, and the NCO Professional Military Education Graduation Ribbon. No CMSGT, no PHs, no AMs, no DFCs, no BSMs, no AFEMs. None of his service was in a combat zone, and there is no mention of combat service anywhere. Also, the records show "Transcript of Court-Marshal Trial Not in Record".
I would suggest that TN Veterans Affairs get Mr. Kaczmarczyk to sign an SF-180 and have the records sent to him/her and not to Mr. Kaczmarczyk. I will guarentee that the offical record from the SF-180 request won't match the stories that he has been telling.
If someone at the Tennessee Journalist wants to make a name for themselves, they can do the research, verify the story, then contact the FBI and have Mr. Kaczmarczyk charged under the Stolen Valor Act.
NH veteran commented, on July 10, 2008 at 4:16 a.m.:
I did an additional search on-line and found that he has also gotten into the "Spectre Association" as a vietnam vet and is a board member. Go to this link:
http://www.spectre-association.org/board...
Military Veteran IV commented, on July 24, 2008 at 11:27 a.m.:
To **TN Veterans Affairs** "Bring it on", OK, be careful what you ask for!
I personally know this guy from his time in my unit here in N.H. and he was chased out for stealing government equipment, trying to sell it, lying, and document forgery. My advise to you is to take your own advise, and research before you put fingers to keyboard. Do you honestly think all these people here are making up the same story just because? This may be an embarasement to do, but just realize you've been taken in by this guy.
Medals SNCO commented, on July 24, 2008 at 11:42 a.m.:
Interesting, I thought the VA would already know that Medals aren't "Classified" only the missions that earned them ...may... be classified. There goes that whole brain in gear phenomenon again.
Yes... an upright kind of guy commented, on July 24, 2008 at 12:27 p.m.:
http://www.seymourherald.com/news/2006/j...
NH Veteran commented, on July 25, 2008 at 3:15 p.m.:
Go to the link below and check out the picture. It's Kaczmarczyk, presenting a medal to a vietnam vet's mother and sister at their son/brother's funeral. Notice the hat he's wearing. Reminds me of the Purple Heart plates he had displayed on his vehicle when he was living in NH. Those too were taken away by the state because of a forged DD Form 214. Can anybody say "Stolen Valor Act"
http://www.spectre-association.org/inMem...
Military Veteran commented, on July 29, 2008 at 7:20 a.m.:
I guess he quite a guy. Here's a comment he (kaczmarczyk)posted in the Knowville paper. I guess being a vietnam war hero wasn't enough...
"Sorry Southside...it's NOT fourth grade science. I worked for FDNY for thirty (30) years working my way up from a probie firefighter to Division Chief in Manhattan. The SCBA (Self Contained Breathing Apparatus) equipment that firefighters use contains air NOT oxygen. It is produced via a compressor system before filling the SCBA bottles that the firefighters wear. If you doubt this, call KFD and ask Capt Brent Seymour if the firefighters are wearing Air tanks or Oxygen tanks when they entire a smoky environment. Oxygen is explosive...air is not! Just another example of TN hicks not knowing what they are talking about. Are you sure that you don't work for Rural Metro? Your post sounds like their type of firefighting mentality. And yes, before you inquire, I moved here from NYC to enjoy the beautiful mountains and the reasonable cost of living. Also, I make about 4 times more in retirement than the average person in East TN who works at some non-union low paying job, but I spend it here and contribute to the economy as well as the tax base. We own a home in Farragut as well as a summer home in Monroe County. With all that aside...firefighters still breath AIR and not oxygen. Check your facts"
Veteran commented, on July 30, 2008 at 7:13 a.m.:
http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/879...
REAL Veteran commented, on July 31, 2008 at 7:04 a.m.:
This guy has done more in one year then some folks do in a lifetime. Add up his jobs, his service, his age, as they say, "it just don't add up folks!". He was in NH, NY, Iran, Vietnam, WOW! Seems he runs from state to state as soon as some other investigation starts on him. Theft, arson, homicide investigation. Clearly this man is not stable and is a pathologicial liar. The TN Veterans Organization is NOT the main Veterans Affairs office that assigns disability percentages and I bet if you looked at his records from them, this man is not a CMSgt in their records. Discharge records from the military are not 'redone' for corrections and more importantly, when you are discharged you are discharge at whatever rate/rank you were and you are not mysteriously given a 'promotion' years after you have been discharged. Get a clue folks: find out what rank he was when he was canned from the military and I'm sure he was!
Veteran commented, on July 31, 2008 at 12:48 p.m.:
Someone has already done that. Go to this link
http://www.pownetwork.org/phonies/phonie...
They posted his military records requested through the Freedon of Information Act...
R. Downie commented, on August 15, 2008 at 11:10 a.m.:
This guy is a genuine scumbag poser!