Thomas A. Cottone Jr. has investigated fugitives, terrorist bombings, hijackings and bank robberies. But the FBI agent said a case he has worked on for the past three years—investigating those who illegally wear, manufacture, buy or sell the Medal of Honor—has been one of his most rewarding.
"We’re really trying to ensure the honor and dignity of all the military awards," Cottone said. "This is something we owe the veterans." For his work, which Cottone calls a pleasure, the Congressional Medal of Honor Society chose Cottone as recipient of its Distinguished Citizens Award. Cottone will accept the award at a ceremony this weekend in Saratoga Springs.
Perhaps the biggest insult to veterans are the impostors, those people who claim to be Medal of Honor recipients but are not. Just last month, Cottone was notified that a man had falsely identified himself as a Medal of Honor recipient in his obituary. "The family believed he was," Cottone said. The man had claimed he was a lieutenant commander and was going to be given a full military funeral, Cottone said. And his headstone was going to read "Medal of Honor recipient."
"I just had the displeasure this morning of having to inform the family," cottone said during a conversation in May.
The Medal of Honor case began for Cottone in April 1995 when he was notified that a man was selling Medals of Honor at a trade show close to his New Jersey office. Cottone arrested Robert S. Nemser, a then 57-year-old memorabilia collector, after Nemser sold two fake medals to Cottone.
Through his work, Cottone has gotten to know many recipients, including Colonel Mitchell Paige, who Cottone credits with beginning the campaign to stop impostors. "It’s through his efforts that the penalties were increased," Cottone said.
Just got a great email from Stevin tonight. All I can say is wow and wow!
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Hi Marion,
This is to let you know that this weekend Christa and I were at the VE Day ceremony at Margraten and had the honor to meet with President Bush, the First Lady and Secr. of State Rice. (I have pictures to prove it! Well, I have Christa on the pics with them. Not myself).
Highlight, however, was our meeting with Capt. Frank Ellis of the 70th Inf Div (see pic. He was coming to Margraten anyway, but Christa got him in the ceremony. He was in the front row when Bush made his speech and met with him afterwards. He was thrilled. I am glad we were able to do this for him. Afterwards we met him and his son, Brian, at their hotel. This amazing gent is 89 years old and was a 29 year old Capt. when the war ended, having saved numerous lives as a 1st Bn surgeon. After the war he was heavily involved in the development of the blood transfusion system for the US Army.
He is a great guy, sharp as a tack and a lot of fun...
Well, the whole day was going very well. Just one of those days were things fall into place and the sun is shining and you are getting things accomplished. Didn't really need anything to top it off, but yet there was this letter and wow, did it ever put the frosting on my cake.
I guess I should tell you that a gentleman from the 3rd Infantry Division contacted me last week and wanted to inquire about the music on the site. Seems someone had sent him the link for my site and for all the wonderful WWII tunes. I wound up corresponding with him and he said he was having problems locating one of the compiliation CD called The Entertainers, that I had recommended. I told him, don't worry, I will make you CD's. Oh heck, it's for one of the great 3rd Inf Div.
Here is what he wrote today!
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Dear Marion--
I was sitting here sending you an Email this morning, asking for help,
when I glanced out the window and saw the mail man pull up in front. I
went out to the box and there was something I've been trying to find for
several days! Almost like a miracle and also on my birthday! I'm
playing one of them now in my den. I will play them over and over and
bring back many pleasant memories. It's a good thing they are not on
A little old lady goes to the doctor and says, "Doctor I have this problem with gas, but it really doesn't bother me too much. My farts never smell and are always silent. As a matter of fact, I've farted at least 20 times since I've been here in your office. You didn't know I was farting because they don't smell and are silent."
The doctor says, "I see, take these pills and come back to see me next week.
"The next week the lady comes back.
"Doctor," she says, "I don't know what the heck you gave me, but now my farts...although still silent...stink terribly."
The doctor says,
"Good!!! Now that we've cleared up your sinuses, let's work on your hearing."
The story of Frederick "Fritz" Niland, of Tonawanda, NY is told in Stephen E. Ambrose's book, BAND OF BROTHERS..Fritz was a Sergeant with the H-501st PIR and was misdropped below Carantan on D-Day having to fight back to the 501st drop zone with his Buddy. Fritz was decorated for grenading a German machine gun nest on June 12,'44. Fritz had three brothers; Robert , of D-505 PIR, 82nd ABRN DIV who was killed on Utah Beach, Normandy at Neuville au Plain;...Preston a Lieutenant with the 22nd Inf. 4th Div. who was killed on Utah Beach, June 7,'44...and Eddie an older brother whose plane was shot down in the CBI theatre May 1944 and was presumned dead...After learning that Fritz was probably the sole surviving son in his family...Fr. Francis Sampson, Catholic Chaplain of the 501, started paperwork to have Fritz sent back to safer duty in the US.Fritz remained in Normandy with the 501 until they sailed back to England in July 1944.
Fritz wanted to avenge his brother's deaths and return to action, but was over-ruled and sent back for MP duty in N.Y. state until the war ended.
Eddie it was learned did survive having returned from his MIA status having been in a Japanese, POW camp.....Mrs. Niland did NOT receive three telegrams in one day regarding the loss of her sons.Two not three of Fritz's brothers were infact killed in action. The story of the Niland's wound up in two of Amboses's books, and Hollywood screenwriters used the basis scenario of a 101st paratrooper who had lost three brothers as the starting premise for the screenplay of 'SAVING PRIVATE RYAN'.
After the war, Fritz Niland became an oral surgeon. He and I were classmates at the Univ of Georgetown Dental School, Wash. DC for four years , graduating in 1950...99 out of a class of 100, were veterans serving in all the services...Fritz did not talk much of his war experiences, but the effect of losing two brothers and nearly three, made a profound mark upon him. Fritz had two daughters... He died in the early 1980s.
