Vito J. Castellano

Vito J. Castellano (21 May 1925 – 29 August 2019) was a career officer in the United States military. A veteran of World War II, he attained the rank of major general while serving as Adjutant General of New York from 1975 to 1986. During the Second World War, he served with the United States Army Air Forces. Following his wartime service, Castellano was a member of the New York Air National Guard. In 1975, he was appointed Adjutant General of New York and commander of the New York Army National Guard. He served until 1986, when he retired during the investigation of his role in the Wedtech scandal.

Early life and start of career Vito Joseph Castellano was born in Brooklyn, New York on 21 May 1925, a son of Gaetano "Tom" Castellano and Anna (Lococo) Castellano. Some sources give it as 1924. According to the June 1925 New York State Census, Castellano was 21 days old, meaning the 1925 date is correct. Castellano gave his birth year as 1924 to make himself appear 18 in November 1942, the month and year he joined the military for World War II. He attended the public schools of Brooklyn and graduated from Brooklyn Technical High School, then joined the military for World War II.

Continued career Upon leaving active duty, Castellano joined the newly organized New York Air National Guard and was assigned to the National Guard's full-time workforce as communications officer of the 52nd Fighter Wing. In December 1947, he was promoted to major and assigned as the wing's adjutant. In November 1968, he was appointed as a consultant for an advisory committee created by the US Assistant Secretary of Defense for Manpower and Reserve Affairs. Additional businesses in which Castellano was interested included Jeta Power, Inc., of which he became a director in October 1969. In March 1974, Castellano was appointed first deputy commissioner of the New York State Department of Commerce. In 1975, he served as the department's acting commissioner.

Later career In December 1975, Castellano returned to military service when he was appointed to succeed John C. Baker as Adjutant General of New York and commander of the New York Army National Guard. Appointment of an Air National Guard officer required the individual to be on flight status; as a result, Castellano was commissioned in the Army National Guard when he assumed the adjutant general's post. He served as adjutant general until January 1986, when he was succeeded by Lawrence P. Flynn. Castellano's term was highlighted by the National Guard's response to a February 1977 blizzard and a 1979 strike by corrections officers at the state's prisons. He retired following negative publicity about legislation that would have raised his pension from $12,000 a year to $54,000; Castellano had been locked into an old pension system because of his prior military service, and the bill that passed the state legislature would have placed him on par with officers who had served more recently, but it was vetoed by Governor Mario Cuomo. At the time of Cuomo's veto, Castellano and the New York National Guard were being investigated for payroll padding and other mismanagement, which factored into Cuomo's decision. Castellano accepted Wedtech cash, and in 1987 he pleaded guilty to state tax evasion charges. The investigation and subsequent trials also revealed that Castellano had committed bigamy by being married to his first and second wives at the same time. In 1993, he married Mary McGough, who survived him. With his first wife, he was the father of three children. In retirement, Castellano lived in Rockaway, Queens, New York , where he died on 29 August 2019. He was buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in Brooklyn.

Awards Castellano's awards and decorations included:

Army Commendation Ribbon American Campaign Medal European–African–Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with four bronze service stars Army of Occupation of Germany Medal World War II Victory Medal Armed Forces Reserve Medal Air Force Longevity Service Award New York State Conspicuous Service Cross New York State Long and Faithful Service Medal Presidential Unit Citation Croix de Guerre with palm (France) Order of the Bath (Companion) (Great Britain)