THE WALL OF FACES

Dennis is buried at Walnut Hill Cemetery, section Q, 1st row east side, 10th column in from the south.

Dennis,
My eighth grade students at the Medford Area Middle School, Medford, WI have been working on a project to put faces with the names of each of the 1159 men from the state of Wisconsin who are listed on "The Wall." It is our hope that through your picture your legacy will live forever.

Thank you for your service to your country and for your sacrifice.

You are not forgotten.


Photo courtesy of Janice Czaplewski (Sister)

Dennis is buried at Walnut Hill Cem, Baraboo, WIS. His military stone says CO D,1 INF, 23 iNF DIV. BSM 2 PH

I would like to make a permanent record and personal statement on his performance of duty. He was very brave and always was in front of his men. He was always vigilent. He was my platoon leader and was shortly to go home. I cautioned the Company Commander Cpt White against sending him out one more time but duty, honour, and country called him to go on one final patrol. He was offered a staff job in the rear headquarters a number of times because he was very smart. He elected to stay with his platoon. We were up north at the top of the country on the coast. It was supposed to be just another normal sweep outside our firebase to provide recon and security for the Firebase named Charlie 1. We were on patrol and he inadvertantly stepped on a land mine. I was caught in the blast. He did not suffer. I rushed over and tried to stop the bleeding but he drifted off peacefully and died in my arms. To all who read this especially to members of Charlie Company, 2nd Battaliopn First Infantry and to his family and friends, I testify he was a superb leader, a caring individual and a shining example to any of his family and fellow countrymen. He was covered in glory and stood for everything good and great in our country. His loss to this nation was tragic. However, for a brief period as a Infantry Platoon Leader in Vietnam, his actions against the enemy epitimized those traits of heroic leadership and dedication - we all should be very proud. I am to have known him. Because of him I stayed in the Army and continued to serve. I became a Sergeant Major.In the years that followed I seen his face amongst the many thousands I trained. His spirit still lives and every time I see the the stars and stripes go by his face ripples in the colors.We did well and he and all of us were magnificent! SGM Pete Gould SGM (R) Tampa, Florida [email protected]

Dennis Calton was an extremely intelligent and courageous soldier. He was a first class leader of men and above all, he was my friend. On March 11, 1971 my heart was ripped out by the news that he was gone. I was on the fire base from which he began his last mission. I should have been with him. The day before I was running a fever of 104 degrees, and Lt.Calton refused to let me go. He may have very well saved my life by doing so. God in Heaven only knows the answer to that.
Dennis Calton taught me more about survival in the four short months that I knew him than I learned in the rest of my active duty.
It's been thirty-one years since he gave his life for his country. I still think of him often. As long as there is life in this body I will continue to think of him as my friend.
God Bless America and Thank God for men like (LT) Dennis