GREEN BERETS Kalani, Earl

[John Robertson]

• SURNAME

Kalani ​

• FORENAME

Earl ​

• UNIT

5 SF Group (Det A-323) ​

• RANK

Master Sergeant ​

• NUMBER

• DATE OF DEATH

5th December 1974 ​

• AGE

42 ​

• GRAVESITE

National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific,,Honolulu,Hawaii Section T Site 260 ​

• ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

from Hawaii​

born 14.1.1932​

entered service 1951​

served in Korean War​

77 SF Group 1954-56​

14 SF Operational Detachment (Sp. 2) 1956-61​

1 SF Group 1961-64​

5 SF Group 1964-67​

WIA 1967 Phu Bai,South Vietnam​

DOW Korea​

​

MSG Earl Kalani, 14th SFOD and ODA-323. An original member of 1st SFG, was deployed in 1957 on the first SF mission to Vietnam. He served three more tours in RVN.​

While stationed at Phu Bai in 1967, he was critically wounded when he shielded his captain's body from an assassination attempt by a VC who had infiltrated the CIDG strike force.​

MSG Kalani never recovered from the injury, despite several surgeries, and died of his wounds in 1974.​

​

 

[madwasp]

Earl Kalani

I was SAO(Survivor Assistance Officer)for Earl after he passed away in Korea; word was the Army was trying to kick him out prior to lock in at 18 yrs and was sent to Korea where he took ill. He is indeed interned at Punchbowl and just about every SF trooper available(seemed like over 100 folks)attended the ceremony. Hawaiian style is to party afterward a passing and it certainly was(out at the Vet Center near Honolulu Airport; soldiers and his family had a great time in his honor). Always wished I could have known him in life; spouse was very sweet and still in Honolulu last I heard. I was serving with 25th Inf Div at the time(1/62ADA). Rest easy Earl. Capt Madwasp

 

[Earl Kalani jr]

Earl Kalani

Thank you for the kind words Capt Madwasp. I am Earl Kalani Jr and I still live in Honolulu not with, but near my mom. I enjoy learniing and knowing the history of my father for his passing came when I was still to young. Thank you again.