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Terry Sallada, phony POW in York, PA

by Jonn Lilyea••59

AverageNCO found another phony Vietnam POW driving an ice cream truck and living the dream, and the media still plays the role of ignorant tool helping to make these dorks famous. In this case it’s in York, PA, the hometown of the late Dick Winters;

[Terry Sallada is] 60 but trim and his hair hasn’t grayed entirely. He’d been a Green Beret during Vietnam, and had been a prisoner of war. Now, to help pay bills, he takes seasonal work at H&R Block. Hawking ice cream, he pulls in $75 for about three hours on a good night, which is enough to cover his inventory. But whatever. Sallada says he’s more interested in meeting people, anyway.

“Man,” he said. “The jungles of Vietnam have got nothing on that truck.”

Well, other than the fact that no one is shooting a you in the truck, there, Terry.

On the bright side, Terry isn’t telling wild-ass stories that were printed, but he’s not a former POW of the Vietnam era according to the Department of Defense’s Defense Prisoner of War/Missing Personnel Office. So I guess we can rightfully doubt that “Green Beret” thing, too until we get his records. Sallada is already up at POW Network.

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59 thoughts on “Terry Sallada, phony POW in York, PA”

  1. I have provided feedback to the newspaper saying that they need to publish an equally long article delving into his false claims. Here is the response I got:

    From: Kara Eberle [mailto:keberle@ydr.com]
    Sent: Monday, June 25, 2012 1:01 PM

    Mr. Knight,
    Thank you for your feedback.
    We’re looking into Mr. Sallada’s background.
    Kara Eberle
    Day metro editor
    York Daily Record/Sunday News
    @karaeberle

  3. She didn’t tell him to piss off….but she didn’t put a lot thought into the letter either. Here is what she sent me a few hours earlier:

    From: Kara Eberle
    To: REDACTED(AVERAGE NCO)
    Sent: Monday, June 25, 2012 9:56 AM
    Subject: RE: Ice Cream Man-Phony POW

    Mr.(REDACTED-AverageNCO),

    We’re looking into Mr. Sallada’s background. We’ll get back to you when we have more information.

    Sincerely,
    Kara Eberle
    Day metro editor
    York Daily Record/Sunday News

    Not real original is she? At least she said she’d get back in touch with me.
    But like I told Jonn, they wouldn’t have to “look into his background”, if they had simply checked his name against the establised POW list.

  6. A quick search took me to the paper’s website (http://www.ydr.com/contactus), where I find that Karen Eberle is not the Daily Editor. Rather, she appears to be the Niche Publications Editor. So perhaps there has been some feedback already. Or, perhaps she was exaggerating her records, too.

    In case the page gets changed:

    Newsroom departments
    Phone: 717-771-2000
    E-mail: Daily Record newsroom
    Mail: York Daily Record/Sunday News, 1891 Loucks Road, York PA 17408
    Metro Editor: 717-771-2039 or e-mail Susan Martin Follow @smartin_
    News Editor: 717-771-2036 or e-mail Tom Barstow Follow @ydrbarstow
    Assistant News Editor: 717-771-2020 or e-mail Bruce Thiel
    Sunday Editor: 717-771-2099 or e-mail Scott Blanchard Follow @scott_blanchard
    Day Metro Editor: 717-771-2041 or e-mail Amy GulliFollow @amygulli
    Night Metro Editor: 717-771-2042 or e-mail Kate HarmonFollow @katesharmon
    Online Editor: 717-771-2084 or e-mail Joan ConcilioFollow @definity
    Business, Your News and Weekly Record Editor: 717-771-2027 or e-mail Cathy HirkoFollow @cathyhirko
    Features Editor: 717-771-2052 or e-mail Buffy AndrewsFollow @buffyandrews
    Assistant Features Editor: 717-771-2021 or e-mail Matt EyerFollow @mjeyer
    Entertainment Editor: 717-771-2106 or e-mail Pat AbdallaFollow @ydrsouthpaw
    Niche Publications Editor: 717-771-2030 or e-mail Kara EberleFollow @SmartMagPA
    Books Editor: 717-771-2090 or e-mail Sarah ChainFollow @YDRBooks
    Neighbors Editor: 717-771-2102 or e-mail Brittany Wilson
    Letters to the editor and op-eds: 717-771-2049 or e-mail Opinion Page Editor Scott Fisher or submit a letter to the editorFollow @YDReditpage
    Sports: 717-771-2064 or 1-800-682-1334; fax 717-771-2009
    Sports Editor: 717-771-2064 or e-mail Chris OttoFollow @YDRChrisOtto
    Assistant Sports Editors: 717-771-2058 or e-mail Lyzz JonesFollow @LyzzJones or 717-771-2085 or e-mail Jess SprenkleFollow @jsprenk

  7. Follow-up. Having been an Editor in a previous life, I felt it wasn’t enough to go straight to the “reporter” in question. I’ve found that making supervisory personnel aware of issues is much more effective. Hence this email.

    Sent: Monday, June 25, 2012 4:17 PM
    To: Managing Editor Randy Parker, the York Daily Record
    Cc: Editor Jim McClure, the York Daily Record
    Subject: Paper Propagates Fake Story of Vietnam POW

    Mr. Parker:

    I’m not sure if you are aware of the criticism of your paper in military circles. I suspect some of the feedback may be getting “filtered” before it reaches you. You may want to take a look here (https://www.azuse.cloud/?p=30524&cpage=1#comment-638881).

    Why do I care? I’ve known more than one real POW, and came close to being one myself. Those who falsify their claims are like children who’ve never grown up, and as such, they are a real and present danger. Would you let a child walk around and use adult tools unsupervised? Car, gun, kitchen equipment, newspapers . . . ?

    Sincerely,

    W. Shires
    First Sergeant (Ret.)
    Army of the united States

  9. I left a comment in the article in the comment section, linking them to POW and here.

  10. I know the man and believe he is a liar. He goes out and speaks about him being a POW to children. There needs to be an investigation on him. He’s a phony and he should be ashamed of himself. YDE needs to investigate this.

    1. Everyone on here saying he is a phony needs to shut up! He is most certainly a Vietnam war veteran. Just because you live pathetic lives with nothing to show for doesn’t mean you should bring others down. Especially war hero’s. You all should be ashamed of yourselves.

      2. You are a seriously stupid little bitch. Did you bother looking at the date of the last post here? Almost two years ago. Now all you’ve succeeded in doing is opening it back up again. From your silly little rant, two things are obvious. You are an idiot and Sallada is still rocking the lies. For what’s about to happen to him, I’m sure he’ll thank you.

        1. That’s okay, a few opinions of the idiots that will believe anything they see online means nothing. People know the truth about my father. They know he is a true american hero and for that I am so proud. May you all someday come to your senses. 🙂

              1. Lady, most of the people on here are retired career service members or still on active duty. We have multiple sources to vet whether someone served or not or if they did serve and are embellishing that service. So you should probably do some research before you start calling people idiots. Cause it makes you look like an idiot.

                I know it must be VERY hard to learn that your own father has misrepresented himself and claimed status that he did earn. I understand you are defending your father, but it is a sad truth that he is not who he claims to be. All of your name calling and childish ranting will not change facts.

              2. He certainly can’t get one from you. Where would you go to suggest he find a “truth bar”?

              3. Your father may have served in Viet Nam. He certainly wasn’t a POW. That’s the bar of truth you seek.

      3. Um, Samantha . . . you might want to invest in some remedial reading-comprehension lessons.

        The issue isn’t whether he’s a Vietnam vet. He may well be.

        The issue is with his POW claim. That’s bull.

        No one named Sallada is on DoD’s list of Vietnam War POWs who returned alive:

        http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo/vietnam/reports/pmsea_returnee.pdf

        No one named Sallada is on the list of those who escaped captivity:

        http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo/vietnam/reports/pmsea_escapee.pdf

        And no one named Sallada is on either the “accounted for” or “unaccounted for” lists:

        http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo/vietnam/reports/documents/pmsea_acc_p_name.pdf

        http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo/vietnam/reports/documents/pmsea_una_p_name.pdf

        Those are the official lists. If the name isn’t there – the individual is not POW/MIA from Vietnam.

        Now, how about you go play in traffic.

        1. How about you go get your facts straight instead of believing whatever you read online? Smh. Go play in traffic, what are you? 12 years old?

          1. You’re an idiot. Sure,you can’t believe some things you read online; however, there are many things that can be taken credibly at face value. Like, for example, official DOD registries of POW’s. None of which your padre is on. So in summary, go soak your head. And tell your lying, valor stealing dad to follow suit.

          2. No, Samantha. That’s about how old you’re acting here.

            Those documents are the official lists maintained by DoD. DoD is the one who decides who was – and who was not – a POW in Vietnam.

            In this case, given the source – yes, I will indeed believe what I “read online”. In this case, it’s coming from the authoritative source.

            Besides, I’m also reading your bogus counter-claims online. Why would you expect me to believe those claims, given your apparent belief that things one reads online should be disregarded?

  11. Pingback: This ain't Hell, but you can see it from here » Blog Archive » Sallada article edited

  12. Carl. Thanks for your efforts. Unfortunately, upper management doesn’t give a damn about the truth. That’s why the editor doesn’t require corroboration for these ‘human interest’ stories. The only stories that media ever check out through records are those in which the stories are about exposing the lies. God forbid they get that wrong. They would be sued in a NY second. But when it comes to carrying the lies told by those claiming to be former POWs, snipers, Rangers, wounded combat Veterans, Silver Star recipients…etc., they ALL run the story and just hope for the best. (i.e., If false, that no one finds out.)

  13. I am done reading and commenting with this website. You cannot argue with stupid people and frankly, I have finals to study for. Good to know there are people out there that can drag the name of a war hero through the mud. I on the other hand, will continue to share with EVERYONE the truth about the amazing hero my father is. Including my students, my friends, my employers and anyone online that I can share with. More people will know the truth. So good try and good day. 🙂

    -Samantha
    (Proud daughter of an American hero)

    1. Well, I guess the only thing we can do, then, is to make certain your daddy’s shitbaggery is easily googleable to any interested party. Bon voyage 😀

    2. I would suggest you not talk to yourself, then. Based on what I’ve seen from you here, you might get into an argument with one of those “stupid people” you don’t seem to like. (smile)

      1. perfect example of what is wrong with the education system…facts don’t matter, just emotional outbursts….

    6. If you are studying for finals, you’d better study hard, and carefully, because reading comprehension does not appear to be your strong suit.

      I’ll try to put this as plainly as possible. No one here has disputed that your father served in Vietnam. He may well have served, and served honorably. No one has taken issue with that.

      What people HAVE taken issue with is your father’s claim to have been a prisoner of war (POW). The authoritative source – the United State Department of Defense – does NOT list your father as having been a POW. If the Department of Defense says it ain’t so, it’s pretty certain that it ain’t so. Hence, the characterization of your father as a “phony POW”. Again, not saying that your father didn’t serve his country in war – only saying that he was NOT a POW.

      Now, the DoD is not infallible, and folks around here are fair-minded and willing to consider evidence that the DoD may be mistaken. If you have any evidence (awards, citations, etc.) that your father really WAS a POW, you are free to submit it through the “contact us” link at the top of the page.

      1. Maybe he went to the B&D/S&M part of a brothel and considered that as his imprisonment?

  15. Samantha~
    Your father is a liar, period. Having a temper tantrum here TWO years after these articles posted says you apparently are very slow on the uptake.

    If you don’t like what is being said here, which would be the truth that has been proven and confirmed, then I suggest you do yourself a favor and do a FOIA request yourself.

    You can also visit DoD’s list of Vietnam War POWs who returned alive:

    http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo/vietnam/reports/pmsea_returnee.pdf

    or
    http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo/vietnam/reports/documents/pmsea_acc_p_name.pdf

    http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo/vietnam/reports/documents/pmsea_una_p_name.pdf

    Those are the official lists. If the name isn’t there – the individual is not POW/MIA from Vietnam.

    These websites do NOT lie.

    Sorry you are having such a shock..never easy to find out your father is a LSOS, but there it is.

    Oh and one other thing…everyone on this blog are either currently serving or have served in the Military or are supporters of the Military.

    I suggest you check yourself before you wreck yourself even further. You had best start showing some respect or you will be next on the list of Google fame.

    1. Damn, Toastie – that sounds strangely familiar. So do the URLs for those lists. (smile)

      1. Hondo~
        Damn I guess I mind-melded with everyone and echoed the same sentiments…Sorry to have been redundant.

        I saved your links when you posted them before…I didn’t see your post when I was typing mine.

        I’ll be more careful next time.

        1. Just pulling yer “chain”, lass. No offense taken, and no need to apologize. No harm, no foul. (smile)

          1. Thanks Hondo 🙂

            I’m a little off today…got blood work back and it appears I have to go find an oncologist…not really with it, so my apologies again for not paying attention. 🙂

            1. Damn, TC. If you need anything, you let us know, okay? You’re in our prayers.

              1. Thank you PN 🙂

                I appreciate that…

                It’ll be ok. :}

                Don’t want to hijack the thread with this goofiness…so off I go to find a puppet to play with 😮

                1. Hope everything turns out all right, TC, you’ve become one of the top attack Lionesses here at TAH!

              2. Extra Ditto TC….Saying a [prayer for you and sending healing energy.

                /I has a sad for TC.
                🙁

            2. Damn. I’ll ask CINC-ALL to keep an eye on ya, lady.

              His ways are unknowable to us – but He indeed hears.

              1. Thank you everyone 🙂

                Your kind words mean a lot to me and are deeply appreciated. I will update when I have more information.
                ((hugs))

    1. Dunno, Just an Old Dog.

      Standard offer: if anyone has or can get the guys full name, DOB, and place of birth, I’ll file a FOIA.

      1. The news article says he was 60 back in 2012, so birthyear is roughly 1952

        1. That might be enough to get a meaningful result. Terry Sallada can’t be a very common name.

      2. I have info that might help.

        name:Terry Lynn Sallada
        dob:3/16/1952
        place:Baltimore MD.

  19. Maybe he was a POW in that same building Irving Rice was held in for 9 hours, receiving mail from 5th graders. Mr.Rice still prays for those guys….just ask him.

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