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Men Who Falsely Claim to have Received the Medal of Honor.
"Scum who claim false honors disgust me and on this day we should not cheapen the honor of those who have won mostly posthumously or military's highest rewards.
Such as Sen. Kirk a State Senator (R-Illinois) who as a remf (Rear Echelon MO. FU,) Has claimed awards for valor that he has never displayed and is trying to curry this for profit into entering President Obama's former and some say cursed position as an Illinois Senator in our federal congress that has been rife with dishonor in those from both parties as Illinois once again fails to submit it's best.
{the following is from http://www.mishalov.com/FBI_False_Medal_of_Honor.html}
What can you do to right this wrong?
I put this Medal of Honor website on the internet in 1996. Since that time, I have received way too many e-mail messages inquiring why a person's name is not on the list of recipients for the Medal of Honor during the Vietnam War.
Alas, it is a sad fact that there are some men who have lied to family, friends, acquaintances and strangers regarding their military exploits.
Be advised, the list of men on this site who have received the Medal of Honor for actions during the Vietnam War is complete.
You can check for every living (WWII, Korea, Vietnam) Medal of Honor recipient by doing the following:
• Review the Living Medal of Honor Recipient page which contains the names of all living Medal of Honor recipients. I make a conscious effort to keep this information up to date.
If the man's name is not on the Living Medal of Honor Recipient page he is not a living recipient of the Medal of Honor.
You can check for every man, living or dead, who received the Medal of Honor for actions during the Vietnam War by doing the following:
• Review the Vietnam Medal of Honor Citation page which contains the names and citations of the 243 men who received the Medal of Honor during the Vietnam War.
If the man's name is not on the Vietnam Medal of Honor Citation page he is not a recipient of the Medal of Honor for actions during the Vietnam War.
You have a judgement call to make if you identify a man who is falsely stating that he is a Medal of Honor recipient. Should you allow this imposter to continue with his deceit, and continue to besmirch the names of all the men who actually received the Medal of Honor. Men who shed their blood, and in many cases gave their lives? I think not.
There are corrective measures that can be taken. Please read the below information, which is from the FBI, and decide what actions you will take.
Due to the incredible valor and sacrifice displayed by a soldier to earn them, the Medal of Honor and all other military awards are protected by federal law to ensure that they are not exploited or dishonored. Title 18, United States Code, Section 704 prohibits the unauthorized wearing, manufacturing or selling of all military awards. Violators of this statute face a fine of up to $100,000 and or imprisoned up to one year.
In April of 1995, as a result of information furnished by a concerned citizen, an undercover FBI Agent attended a military collectibles show that was being held in Totowa, New Jersey. This agent was able to purchase an Army Medal of Honor and an Air Force Medal of Honor that were openly being offered for sale. The purchase of these two Medals was the first step in what was to become an ongoing, lengthy, nationwide investigation.
In order to authenticate the two Medals, the FBI contacted the Congressional Medal Of Honor Society. At this time, they were informed that the sale of what appeared to be authentic Medals of Honor, as well as the wearing of the Medal of Honor by unauthorized individuals, called "imposters", had reached epidemic proportions. The FBI quickly expanded its investigation and was able to recover additional Medals of Honor that were periodically being offered for sale at various shows and auctions around the country.
The FBI also identified and prosecuted numerous "imposters" who were illegally wearing the Medal of Honor and who were representing themselves to be actual Medal of Honor recipients. Most of these individuals had never even been in combat and some were never in any branch of military service. The FBI confiscated the Medals of Honor from these individuals whose backgrounds ranged from a sitting Judge in Illinois, to a Corporate President in California. The FBI was also able to recover Medals of Honor that had been stolen from legitimate recipients by con men seeking to profit from the bravery of these heroic Americans.
The investigation into the source of the Medals of Honor that were illegally being sold and worn eventually led to a company by the name of H.L.I. Lordship Industries, located in Long Island, New York. H.L.I. Lordship Industries was the largest manufacturer of military medals for the United States Government and was the only official manufacturer of the Medal of Honor. Extensive investigation by the FBI determined that H.L.I. Lordship Industries was illegally manufacturing additional Medals of Honor and in turn selling these medals to a friend of the owner of the company. This individual would then go around the country re-selling the Medals of Honor to anyone who was willing to pay his price. These actions were not only a violation of the federal law, but also were an insult to the brave soldiers who earned their Medals through blood and sacrifice.
On December 3, 1996, H.L.I. Lordship Industries entered a corporate guilty plea in United States District Court, Newark, New Jersey. They admitted to illegally manufacturing and selling at least 300 Medals of Honor during the time period of 1991 through 1994. H.L.I. Lordship Industries was fined the maximum amount allowed under Federal Sentencing Guidelines and subsequent legislation has prevented them from receiving future government contracts.
Every Medal of Honor that has been recovered from an "imposter" during the course of this investigation can be traced back to Lordship Industries. Because of those individuals who have violated Title 18, United States Code, Section 704, there are potentially more "imposters" wearing the Medal of Honor than actual recipients. The FBI will continue to honor our veteran's service to our country by maintaining the integrity of all the military awards, especially the Medal of Honor.
Your help as a citizen is needed in this endeavor. If you know of someone that is selling a Medal of Honor, or suspect that someone is illegally wearing the Medal of Honor, please contact the FBI.
Such as Sen. Kirk a State Senator (R-Illinois) who as a remf (Rear Echelon MO. FU,) Has claimed awards for valor that he has never displayed and is trying to curry this for profit into entering President Obama's former and some say cursed position as an Illinois Senator in our federal congress that has been rife with dishonor in those from both parties as Illinois once again fails to submit it's best.
{the following is from http://www.mishalov.com/FBI_False_Medal_of_Honor.html}
What can you do to right this wrong?
I put this Medal of Honor website on the internet in 1996. Since that time, I have received way too many e-mail messages inquiring why a person's name is not on the list of recipients for the Medal of Honor during the Vietnam War.
Alas, it is a sad fact that there are some men who have lied to family, friends, acquaintances and strangers regarding their military exploits.
Be advised, the list of men on this site who have received the Medal of Honor for actions during the Vietnam War is complete.
You can check for every living (WWII, Korea, Vietnam) Medal of Honor recipient by doing the following:
• Review the Living Medal of Honor Recipient page which contains the names of all living Medal of Honor recipients. I make a conscious effort to keep this information up to date.
If the man's name is not on the Living Medal of Honor Recipient page he is not a living recipient of the Medal of Honor.
You can check for every man, living or dead, who received the Medal of Honor for actions during the Vietnam War by doing the following:
• Review the Vietnam Medal of Honor Citation page which contains the names and citations of the 243 men who received the Medal of Honor during the Vietnam War.
If the man's name is not on the Vietnam Medal of Honor Citation page he is not a recipient of the Medal of Honor for actions during the Vietnam War.
You have a judgement call to make if you identify a man who is falsely stating that he is a Medal of Honor recipient. Should you allow this imposter to continue with his deceit, and continue to besmirch the names of all the men who actually received the Medal of Honor. Men who shed their blood, and in many cases gave their lives? I think not.
There are corrective measures that can be taken. Please read the below information, which is from the FBI, and decide what actions you will take.
Due to the incredible valor and sacrifice displayed by a soldier to earn them, the Medal of Honor and all other military awards are protected by federal law to ensure that they are not exploited or dishonored. Title 18, United States Code, Section 704 prohibits the unauthorized wearing, manufacturing or selling of all military awards. Violators of this statute face a fine of up to $100,000 and or imprisoned up to one year.
In April of 1995, as a result of information furnished by a concerned citizen, an undercover FBI Agent attended a military collectibles show that was being held in Totowa, New Jersey. This agent was able to purchase an Army Medal of Honor and an Air Force Medal of Honor that were openly being offered for sale. The purchase of these two Medals was the first step in what was to become an ongoing, lengthy, nationwide investigation.
In order to authenticate the two Medals, the FBI contacted the Congressional Medal Of Honor Society. At this time, they were informed that the sale of what appeared to be authentic Medals of Honor, as well as the wearing of the Medal of Honor by unauthorized individuals, called "imposters", had reached epidemic proportions. The FBI quickly expanded its investigation and was able to recover additional Medals of Honor that were periodically being offered for sale at various shows and auctions around the country.
The FBI also identified and prosecuted numerous "imposters" who were illegally wearing the Medal of Honor and who were representing themselves to be actual Medal of Honor recipients. Most of these individuals had never even been in combat and some were never in any branch of military service. The FBI confiscated the Medals of Honor from these individuals whose backgrounds ranged from a sitting Judge in Illinois, to a Corporate President in California. The FBI was also able to recover Medals of Honor that had been stolen from legitimate recipients by con men seeking to profit from the bravery of these heroic Americans.
The investigation into the source of the Medals of Honor that were illegally being sold and worn eventually led to a company by the name of H.L.I. Lordship Industries, located in Long Island, New York. H.L.I. Lordship Industries was the largest manufacturer of military medals for the United States Government and was the only official manufacturer of the Medal of Honor. Extensive investigation by the FBI determined that H.L.I. Lordship Industries was illegally manufacturing additional Medals of Honor and in turn selling these medals to a friend of the owner of the company. This individual would then go around the country re-selling the Medals of Honor to anyone who was willing to pay his price. These actions were not only a violation of the federal law, but also were an insult to the brave soldiers who earned their Medals through blood and sacrifice.
On December 3, 1996, H.L.I. Lordship Industries entered a corporate guilty plea in United States District Court, Newark, New Jersey. They admitted to illegally manufacturing and selling at least 300 Medals of Honor during the time period of 1991 through 1994. H.L.I. Lordship Industries was fined the maximum amount allowed under Federal Sentencing Guidelines and subsequent legislation has prevented them from receiving future government contracts.
Every Medal of Honor that has been recovered from an "imposter" during the course of this investigation can be traced back to Lordship Industries. Because of those individuals who have violated Title 18, United States Code, Section 704, there are potentially more "imposters" wearing the Medal of Honor than actual recipients. The FBI will continue to honor our veteran's service to our country by maintaining the integrity of all the military awards, especially the Medal of Honor.
Your help as a citizen is needed in this endeavor. If you know of someone that is selling a Medal of Honor, or suspect that someone is illegally wearing the Medal of Honor, please contact the FBI.
Do you not read anything that you disagree with? The part that I posted ARE the definitions for what a CITIZEN at birth is.
Please review title 8.
Please review title 8.
I have never stated that he was not a citizen. But not all citizens are eligible to be president. I have never been one of the strong "birthers" but brought this up in re what does the Constitution say about who is eligible to be president. You don't have to be a Veteran but if you were born outside the country, both parents must be US citizens. That was my point.
It's a moot point but flame away if that makes you a happy camper.
It's a moot point but flame away if that makes you a happy camper.
You know I realize a lot of times I type without thinking about who I might offend (I'm almost 39wks pregnant and the brain's a little fried at the moment) but honestly the theory about the birth certificate is one that was rabidly supported by my husband's family for a long time (typical southern republicans...rabid and a bit frightening if you want to know the truth) but lately I've heard less and less of it, so I was genuinely surprised that it was still considered a viable argument.
You are absolutely right though, it's a moot point because it'll never be proven nor disproven. I personally think it's an airy accusation at best, but either way yes he's president and I doubt his status will be repealed any time soon (I don't see enough for an impeachment, not yet).
I do apologize if I sounded like I was targeting you, reading back I can see how it would look like that's what I was doing...but I was honestly surprised. And anyone who thinks you a rabid republican should meet my husband's family...they're all republican with no intellect to balance out their beliefs, so it's a little frustrating...but then my family is all democrat and I am squarely in the middle so I tend to avoid political discussion with both families.
oh, and Sam..sorry for typing SeriousSame, not sure where my brain was at the moment.
You are absolutely right though, it's a moot point because it'll never be proven nor disproven. I personally think it's an airy accusation at best, but either way yes he's president and I doubt his status will be repealed any time soon (I don't see enough for an impeachment, not yet).
I do apologize if I sounded like I was targeting you, reading back I can see how it would look like that's what I was doing...but I was honestly surprised. And anyone who thinks you a rabid republican should meet my husband's family...they're all republican with no intellect to balance out their beliefs, so it's a little frustrating...but then my family is all democrat and I am squarely in the middle so I tend to avoid political discussion with both families.
oh, and Sam..sorry for typing SeriousSame, not sure where my brain was at the moment.
I have seen one thing by reading these posts, that which I have suspected all along. Obama is not a citizen? So your one of those? Get real. I now realize any discussion with you senseless. Futile, Waste of my time. Run Sara Run!
What you're saying for being a private citizen is true. But to be president, you must have either been born in this country or BOTH parents must be American citizens if born outside this country. * Any one born outside the United States, both of whose parents are citizens of the U.S., as long as one parent has lived in the U.S.
Absolutely I have other things to do. But I have no proof that he was not born in the US and as long as he refuses to produce his birth records, I won't. So it's actually a moot point.
And you are right. We're not investigators. But speaking for myself, If I make an assertion, I feel a moral obligation to verify its veracity. The monetary value has no bearing. Propaganda and lies are contrary to my nature. I prefer truth, even when it's contrary to my views.
Absolutely I have other things to do. But I have no proof that he was not born in the US and as long as he refuses to produce his birth records, I won't. So it's actually a moot point.
And you are right. We're not investigators. But speaking for myself, If I make an assertion, I feel a moral obligation to verify its veracity. The monetary value has no bearing. Propaganda and lies are contrary to my nature. I prefer truth, even when it's contrary to my views.
Currently, Title 8 of the U.S. Code fills in the gaps left by the Constitution. Section 1401 defines the following as people who are "citizens of the United States at birth:"
* Anyone born inside the United States *
* Any Indian or Eskimo born in the United States, provided being a citizen of the U.S. does not impair the person's status as a citizen of the tribe
* Any one born outside the United States, both of whose parents are citizens of the U.S., as long as one parent has lived in the U.S.
* Any one born outside the United States, if one parent is a citizen and lived in the U.S. for at least one year and the other parent is a U.S. national
* Any one born in a U.S. possession, if one parent is a citizen and lived in the U.S. for at least one year
* Any one found in the U.S. under the age of five, whose parentage cannot be determined, as long as proof of non-citizenship is not provided by age 21
* Any one born outside the United States, if one parent is an alien and as long as the other parent is a citizen of the U.S. who lived in the U.S. for at least five years (with military and diplomatic service included in this time)
* A final, historical condition: a person born before 5/24/1934 of an alien father and a U.S. citizen mother who has lived in the U.S.
* There is an exception in the law — the person must be "subject to the jurisdiction" of the United States. This would exempt the child of a diplomat, for example, from this provision.
So Sara you are partially right and there are other sections of course. However Obama's father would again be a foreign National his mom a citizen so once again you are back to square one.
Again bigger fish to fry? We are not investigators we are posters on a medium sized website that has a valued estimate less than advertised value of 200000
* Anyone born inside the United States *
* Any Indian or Eskimo born in the United States, provided being a citizen of the U.S. does not impair the person's status as a citizen of the tribe
* Any one born outside the United States, both of whose parents are citizens of the U.S., as long as one parent has lived in the U.S.
* Any one born outside the United States, if one parent is a citizen and lived in the U.S. for at least one year and the other parent is a U.S. national
* Any one born in a U.S. possession, if one parent is a citizen and lived in the U.S. for at least one year
* Any one found in the U.S. under the age of five, whose parentage cannot be determined, as long as proof of non-citizenship is not provided by age 21
* Any one born outside the United States, if one parent is an alien and as long as the other parent is a citizen of the U.S. who lived in the U.S. for at least five years (with military and diplomatic service included in this time)
* A final, historical condition: a person born before 5/24/1934 of an alien father and a U.S. citizen mother who has lived in the U.S.
* There is an exception in the law — the person must be "subject to the jurisdiction" of the United States. This would exempt the child of a diplomat, for example, from this provision.
So Sara you are partially right and there are other sections of course. However Obama's father would again be a foreign National his mom a citizen so once again you are back to square one.
Again bigger fish to fry? We are not investigators we are posters on a medium sized website that has a valued estimate less than advertised value of 200000
Ashelen: I only brought up the birth certificate issue in reference to requirement to be president. You'd have to read the posts above.
I usually don't get into it because the fact of the matter is we will never see the birth certificate. So others can fret about it if they wish but I've let it go. Bigger fish to fry.
I usually don't get into it because the fact of the matter is we will never see the birth certificate. So others can fret about it if they wish but I've let it go. Bigger fish to fry.
"Only native-born U.S. citizens (or those born abroad, but only to parents who were both citizens of the U.S.) may be president of the United States, though from time to time that requirement is called into question, most recently after Arnold Schwarzenegger, born in Austria, was elected governor of California, in 2003. The Constitution originally provided a small loophole to this provision: One needn't have been born in the United States but had to be a citizen at the time the Constitution was adopted. But, since that occurred in 1789, that ship has sailed." http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/thepresidentandcabinet/a/presrequire.htm
I've not ever gotten into this before. But my point in pointing out that requirements for being President did not include service in the armed forces. But by Constitutional law, if a candidate is born outside the US, both parents must be US citizens. Obama
father was Kenyan. So in his case, where he was born is an issue. By not releasing his birth certificate, he only increases the suspicion that he was not born in Hawaii as he states. Personally, as he is in office, I don't see anything happening about it.
Note to Sam: Yes his mother was American. His father was not. BOTH parents must be US citizens. My reference: US Constitution McCain's parents were both American and Panama was a US territory.
non compos mentat? Perhaps you mean non compos mentis (4 years of Latin) If knowledge of the Constitution makes one non compos mentis. we've got a lot of folks to throw in the nut bin.
And I didn't know you believed in the flat earth theory and the moon landing conspiracy!! Perhaps you should look into non compos mentis.
I don't insult you. Please refrain from insults and name calling. They only demean the one doing them. It also tells me you have no further arguments. A typical ploy used by those without a point.
I've not ever gotten into this before. But my point in pointing out that requirements for being President did not include service in the armed forces. But by Constitutional law, if a candidate is born outside the US, both parents must be US citizens. Obama
father was Kenyan. So in his case, where he was born is an issue. By not releasing his birth certificate, he only increases the suspicion that he was not born in Hawaii as he states. Personally, as he is in office, I don't see anything happening about it.
Note to Sam: Yes his mother was American. His father was not. BOTH parents must be US citizens. My reference: US Constitution McCain's parents were both American and Panama was a US territory.
non compos mentat? Perhaps you mean non compos mentis (4 years of Latin) If knowledge of the Constitution makes one non compos mentis. we've got a lot of folks to throw in the nut bin.
And I didn't know you believed in the flat earth theory and the moon landing conspiracy!! Perhaps you should look into non compos mentis.
I don't insult you. Please refrain from insults and name calling. They only demean the one doing them. It also tells me you have no further arguments. A typical ploy used by those without a point.
Yep McCain was an army brat, that was why he wanted to close gitmo. Either wherever an American base was America and Gitmo wasn't. Or Gitmo was legal and he couldn't be pres.
But like I said.. Both parties are scum.
But like I said.. Both parties are scum.
Re: birth certificate....Wow...I honestly thought that people had outgrown that particular conspiracy theory. Learning something new every day about the straws people will grasp at when logic has failed.
Or maybe I should say when irrelevance has proven death to one theory, like mushrooms more abound.
I'm sorry, I don't mean to be rude...but why work so very hard to defend people like Bush and Cheney, and work equally hard to destroy people's reputations like Obama and Biden, when the ONLY dividing factor is policy? They're all scumbags, why waste your time and effort?
Discussing the important topics is vital for the health of our country, but why hem and haw about irrelevant details? Especially ones that are simply not founded in reality, but biased speculation and airy (at best) factoids pulled from dubious sources?
SeriousSame: On a side note I'm not afraid to show my ignorance, I did not realize that McCain was born in Panama. Brat birth, I guess?
Or maybe I should say when irrelevance has proven death to one theory, like mushrooms more abound.
I'm sorry, I don't mean to be rude...but why work so very hard to defend people like Bush and Cheney, and work equally hard to destroy people's reputations like Obama and Biden, when the ONLY dividing factor is policy? They're all scumbags, why waste your time and effort?
Discussing the important topics is vital for the health of our country, but why hem and haw about irrelevant details? Especially ones that are simply not founded in reality, but biased speculation and airy (at best) factoids pulled from dubious sources?
SeriousSame: On a side note I'm not afraid to show my ignorance, I did not realize that McCain was born in Panama. Brat birth, I guess?
Obama is not a citizen because only one parent is a citizen? or because he was not born in the U.S. in which case the whole election was moot because McCain was born in Panama. Ooookay. Are you familiar with what a non compos mentat is? Flat earth society? Moon landing conspiracy?
Sam, I don't think I'm mistaking you for anything. I have my own personal opinion which I will keep to myself on that point.
I did take a look at the website you mentioned. Not having a complete url to work with I did look for it but didn't find it. I did see pages of Anti-Bush rhetoric. And frankly I don't know how this person is who writes this website but he certainly doesn't appear impartial.
I just will assume what you have quoted is true. This quote "Gough believes that Bartlett and Danny James purged Bush's record of "quite a bit..." tells me all I need to know. It's a blog written on speculation and rumor. If you wish to take it as fact, that's your decision.
But why don't you try these websites: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_W._Bush_military_service_controversy#Release_of_military_records
http://radioinsidescoop.com/?p=32
And your source makes a point of Bush not releasing his Guard record. Being in the Armed Forces is not a requirement to President. Obama refuses to release his birth certificate. And being born in the USA IS a requirement to be president.
I did take a look at the website you mentioned. Not having a complete url to work with I did look for it but didn't find it. I did see pages of Anti-Bush rhetoric. And frankly I don't know how this person is who writes this website but he certainly doesn't appear impartial.
I just will assume what you have quoted is true. This quote "Gough believes that Bartlett and Danny James purged Bush's record of "quite a bit..." tells me all I need to know. It's a blog written on speculation and rumor. If you wish to take it as fact, that's your decision.
But why don't you try these websites: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_W._Bush_military_service_controversy#Release_of_military_records
http://radioinsidescoop.com/?p=32
And your source makes a point of Bush not releasing his Guard record. Being in the Armed Forces is not a requirement to President. Obama refuses to release his birth certificate. And being born in the USA IS a requirement to be president.
RE: Bush
Albert Lloyd Jr., a retired colonel from the Texas Air Guard was hired by the Bush campaign to make sense of the governor's military records, told the Boston Globe that Bush's aides were concerned about the Alabama gap in his records. Unlike Senator McCain, during Campaign 2000, Bush has refused to release his full military records. Today, Harvey Gough, of Dallas, a 32-year veteran of the Texas National Guard, says that the Bush team purged Bush's Guard files shortly after Bush's inauguration as Texas Governor. "I taught Dan Bartlett the military system. He learned pretty good. He and I got along. He came from the Bush group as a novice, he didn't know the military system." Gough believes that Bartlett and Danny James purged Bush's record of "quite a bit...all Bush's time in Alabama." Gough is available for comment at his Texas business phone, contact us for his contact info.
(source: SanderHicks.com original interview.)
Re: the rest- I think they are all slime and should be horsewhipped.
Honestly Sara you keep mistaking me as a democrat when I've repeatedly said I am third party and think that supporters of the two main parties in their despair keep perpetuating a travesty of corruption upon America.
All parties have to end sometime or we would still all be Whigs or Tories.
Albert Lloyd Jr., a retired colonel from the Texas Air Guard was hired by the Bush campaign to make sense of the governor's military records, told the Boston Globe that Bush's aides were concerned about the Alabama gap in his records. Unlike Senator McCain, during Campaign 2000, Bush has refused to release his full military records. Today, Harvey Gough, of Dallas, a 32-year veteran of the Texas National Guard, says that the Bush team purged Bush's Guard files shortly after Bush's inauguration as Texas Governor. "I taught Dan Bartlett the military system. He learned pretty good. He and I got along. He came from the Bush group as a novice, he didn't know the military system." Gough believes that Bartlett and Danny James purged Bush's record of "quite a bit...all Bush's time in Alabama." Gough is available for comment at his Texas business phone, contact us for his contact info.
(source: SanderHicks.com original interview.)
Re: the rest- I think they are all slime and should be horsewhipped.
Honestly Sara you keep mistaking me as a democrat when I've repeatedly said I am third party and think that supporters of the two main parties in their despair keep perpetuating a travesty of corruption upon America.
All parties have to end sometime or we would still all be Whigs or Tories.
"Would be interesting to know why so many of a TEXAS AFNG units records would be destroyed for JUST skippy (I mean Bush?) "
Would you please supply me the source from which you learned this alledged destruction of government records?
From http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/05/top-moments-in-politicians-lying-about-military-service.php?ref=fpa
Senate hopefuls Mark Kirk (R) and **** Blumenthal (D) will likely be dogged from now until November by accusations that they embellished their military backgrounds. But as galling as their transgressions may be, they're part of a rich, scandalous tradition of American pols exaggerating--or simply lying about--their service records in front of the right crowds, when they think they can get away with it.
Herewith, our favorite examples of politicians getting caught red handed fibbing about their war records.
Wes Cooley
Cooley (R-OR) was elected to Congress as part of the 1994 GOP landslide, but only served one term. Why? A few reasons, actually, but the one that ultimately harmed him the most was the whopper he told about his supposed service in the Korean War. Cooley claimed he was unable to prove his service because, as a member of the Army Special Forces, his missions were secret, and that all records of his service had been destroyed in a fire. Oh yeah. He also claimed that his direct report--Sergeant Major Clifford Poppy had been killed--a claim to which the still-living Poppy responded "Tell him he's a liar. Tell him Sergeant Poppy said that."
Bruce Faulkner Caputo
When they fall, they fall hard...and fast. Caputo (R) hoped to unseat Daniel Patrick Moynihan in the 1982 midterms, but withdrew in March of that year after a run-in with then-Moynihan aide Tim Russert. The future Meet the Press host discovered that Caputo had claimed to have been drafted into, and served in, the Army during the Vietnam war. The reality? Caputo escaped the draft by working for the Pentagon as a civilian analyst.
Douglas Stringfellow
An oldie, but a goodie. Stringfellow (R) was elected to represent Utah in the House in 1952, appealing to voters as a World War II hero, top-secret OSS agent, POW, and (as a result of the torture suffered during his stint in German prison) a paraplegic and Silver Star awardee. Just two years later, he was outed: He was not a paraplegic and had not earned a Silver Star. What injuries he did have were not suffered in prison. And he never worked for OSS, having served as a private in the Army Air Forces. He died in obscurity in 1966 at the age of 44.
**** Blumenthal
This one needs no introduction. Blumenthal (D)--Connecticut's Attorney General and Democratic nominee for Senate--has, at least a handful of times, claimed to have served "in" Vietnam. More accurately--and, in fact, the way Blumenthal himself usually describes it--he was a reservist who served during Vietnam, but never overseas. His chief rival, Republican, and professional wrestling executive Linda McMahon, dug up the claim, and fed it to the New York Times, which turned the indiscretions into a potentially major issue for a candidate who would otherwise sail to election.
Mark Kirk
Kirk's case is a bit more complicated. There's no denying he's a decorated veteran, who continues to serve as a reservist while representing Illinois in the House. But Kirk explicitly claimed, a number of times, to have been the "Navy's Intelligence Officer of the Year" when in fact he was not. The honor was awarded to Kirk's unit, which he led in Aviano, Italy--not to Kirk individually. The flap comes at a bad time for Kirk (R), who's hoping to win President Obama's Senate seat, which is being vacated by Sen. Roland Burris (D-IL). Kirk is squaring off against Alexi Giannoulias who, as a Democrat and Illinois state treasurer, should be a shoo-in, but has been under siege for his ties to Broadway Bank, which his family owns and was seized by federal regulators this year.
Hillary Clinton
This case is a little different, if only because Clinton never served, or claimed to have served in the military. But during her run for President, she recounted a trip she took to Bosnia in March 1996. Upon landing, she claimed, her entourage came "under sniper fire" and had to run for safety with "our heads down." Well...Let's roll the tape, shall we?
Joe McCarthy
AKA Tailgunner Joe. Because of his education McCarthy was given a commission, and he retired from the Marines as a captain. But he later claimed he'd enlisted as a private, flown more missions than he'd actually flown and been sent a letter of commendation by the Chief of Naval Operations. Turns out McCarthy wrote the letter himself. This all occurred before the work that made him truly famous: chief Communist witch hunter on Capitol Hill and chairman of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investagations.
Ronald Reagan
Ronaldus Magnus. The most beloved man in all of conservatism repeatedly confused (or "confused") scenes from his acting career with heroic battlefield moments...that he never participated in or witnessed. Reagan, for instance, is reported to have boasted to Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir and Simon Wiesenthal of photographing concentration camps at the end of World War II. He even told Shamir he'd helped liberate Auschwitz. In his autobiography he wrote "by the time I got out of the Army Air Corps all I wanted to do--in common with several million other veterans--was to rest up, make love to my wife." But as Michael Schaller wrote in his book Reckoning with Reagan, "This obscured the fact that unlike most of the "several million other veterans," Reagan had left neither home nor wife while in military service."
Would you please supply me the source from which you learned this alledged destruction of government records?
From http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/05/top-moments-in-politicians-lying-about-military-service.php?ref=fpa
Senate hopefuls Mark Kirk (R) and **** Blumenthal (D) will likely be dogged from now until November by accusations that they embellished their military backgrounds. But as galling as their transgressions may be, they're part of a rich, scandalous tradition of American pols exaggerating--or simply lying about--their service records in front of the right crowds, when they think they can get away with it.
Herewith, our favorite examples of politicians getting caught red handed fibbing about their war records.
Wes Cooley
Cooley (R-OR) was elected to Congress as part of the 1994 GOP landslide, but only served one term. Why? A few reasons, actually, but the one that ultimately harmed him the most was the whopper he told about his supposed service in the Korean War. Cooley claimed he was unable to prove his service because, as a member of the Army Special Forces, his missions were secret, and that all records of his service had been destroyed in a fire. Oh yeah. He also claimed that his direct report--Sergeant Major Clifford Poppy had been killed--a claim to which the still-living Poppy responded "Tell him he's a liar. Tell him Sergeant Poppy said that."
Bruce Faulkner Caputo
When they fall, they fall hard...and fast. Caputo (R) hoped to unseat Daniel Patrick Moynihan in the 1982 midterms, but withdrew in March of that year after a run-in with then-Moynihan aide Tim Russert. The future Meet the Press host discovered that Caputo had claimed to have been drafted into, and served in, the Army during the Vietnam war. The reality? Caputo escaped the draft by working for the Pentagon as a civilian analyst.
Douglas Stringfellow
An oldie, but a goodie. Stringfellow (R) was elected to represent Utah in the House in 1952, appealing to voters as a World War II hero, top-secret OSS agent, POW, and (as a result of the torture suffered during his stint in German prison) a paraplegic and Silver Star awardee. Just two years later, he was outed: He was not a paraplegic and had not earned a Silver Star. What injuries he did have were not suffered in prison. And he never worked for OSS, having served as a private in the Army Air Forces. He died in obscurity in 1966 at the age of 44.
**** Blumenthal
This one needs no introduction. Blumenthal (D)--Connecticut's Attorney General and Democratic nominee for Senate--has, at least a handful of times, claimed to have served "in" Vietnam. More accurately--and, in fact, the way Blumenthal himself usually describes it--he was a reservist who served during Vietnam, but never overseas. His chief rival, Republican, and professional wrestling executive Linda McMahon, dug up the claim, and fed it to the New York Times, which turned the indiscretions into a potentially major issue for a candidate who would otherwise sail to election.
Mark Kirk
Kirk's case is a bit more complicated. There's no denying he's a decorated veteran, who continues to serve as a reservist while representing Illinois in the House. But Kirk explicitly claimed, a number of times, to have been the "Navy's Intelligence Officer of the Year" when in fact he was not. The honor was awarded to Kirk's unit, which he led in Aviano, Italy--not to Kirk individually. The flap comes at a bad time for Kirk (R), who's hoping to win President Obama's Senate seat, which is being vacated by Sen. Roland Burris (D-IL). Kirk is squaring off against Alexi Giannoulias who, as a Democrat and Illinois state treasurer, should be a shoo-in, but has been under siege for his ties to Broadway Bank, which his family owns and was seized by federal regulators this year.
Hillary Clinton
This case is a little different, if only because Clinton never served, or claimed to have served in the military. But during her run for President, she recounted a trip she took to Bosnia in March 1996. Upon landing, she claimed, her entourage came "under sniper fire" and had to run for safety with "our heads down." Well...Let's roll the tape, shall we?
Joe McCarthy
AKA Tailgunner Joe. Because of his education McCarthy was given a commission, and he retired from the Marines as a captain. But he later claimed he'd enlisted as a private, flown more missions than he'd actually flown and been sent a letter of commendation by the Chief of Naval Operations. Turns out McCarthy wrote the letter himself. This all occurred before the work that made him truly famous: chief Communist witch hunter on Capitol Hill and chairman of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investagations.
Ronald Reagan
Ronaldus Magnus. The most beloved man in all of conservatism repeatedly confused (or "confused") scenes from his acting career with heroic battlefield moments...that he never participated in or witnessed. Reagan, for instance, is reported to have boasted to Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir and Simon Wiesenthal of photographing concentration camps at the end of World War II. He even told Shamir he'd helped liberate Auschwitz. In his autobiography he wrote "by the time I got out of the Army Air Corps all I wanted to do--in common with several million other veterans--was to rest up, make love to my wife." But as Michael Schaller wrote in his book Reckoning with Reagan, "This obscured the fact that unlike most of the "several million other veterans," Reagan had left neither home nor wife while in military service."
The law was passed afterward though, still only applies to someone falsifying their own record.
Would be interesting to know why so many of a TEXAS AFNG units records would be destroyed for JUST skippy (I mean Bush?)
Would be interesting to know why so many of a TEXAS AFNG units records would be destroyed for JUST skippy (I mean Bush?)
I guess for the same reason that Dan Rather wasn't prosecuted for falsifying George W Bush's record.
Actually falsifying a military record or claiming awards or honors is against federal law if you are doing it for profit for at least the last two years. Why shouldn't he be prosecuted under a felony charge
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OOOPS! I forgot to cite my sources. Here they are.
http://politifi.com/news/Ill-Sen-hopeful-questioned-about-military-claim-726982.html
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2010/05/30/ill_sen_hopeful_questioned_about_military_claim/?rss_id=Boston.com+--+Top+political+stories
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2010/06/29/kirk_apologizes_for_mistakes_about_accomplishments/?camp=obinsite
http://politifi.com/news/Ill-Sen-hopeful-questioned-about-military-claim-726982.html
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2010/05/30/ill_sen_hopeful_questioned_about_military_claim/?rss_id=Boston.com+--+Top+political+stories
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2010/06/29/kirk_apologizes_for_mistakes_about_accomplishments/?camp=obinsite
There is a bit more to the story than it being seen here. These accusations originated from his Democratic opponent Alexi Giannoulias. Alexi Giannoulias is the Illinois state treasurer whose family's now failed bank made some loans to people with criminal backgrounds. (Talk about the fox in the hen house!) Not my state, but given the lesser of the two evils, I'd take Kirk.
Kirk's admission came just two weeks after a national furor over Democratic Senate candidate Richard Blumenthal incorrectly saying he had served in Vietnam. Blumenthal, the Connecticut attorney general, served in the Marine Reserves during the Vietnam War but never left the United States. He sometimes spoke as if he had been stationed in Vietnam.
As for this 21 year veteran Naval Reservist's claim of being awarded intelligence officer of the year, he said, the biography should have said the unit he led was given the Navy's Rufus Taylor Intelligence Unit of the Year award in 1999. Even with the lies and exaggerations, this man does seem to love his country and be a patriotic citizen. We need more of those types in our government.
But sadly, falsifying a military record for selfish and/or nefarious reasons is and has been in the past a favorite ploy of politicians. Any way you look at it, it's just plain wrong.
Kirk's admission came just two weeks after a national furor over Democratic Senate candidate Richard Blumenthal incorrectly saying he had served in Vietnam. Blumenthal, the Connecticut attorney general, served in the Marine Reserves during the Vietnam War but never left the United States. He sometimes spoke as if he had been stationed in Vietnam.
As for this 21 year veteran Naval Reservist's claim of being awarded intelligence officer of the year, he said, the biography should have said the unit he led was given the Navy's Rufus Taylor Intelligence Unit of the Year award in 1999. Even with the lies and exaggerations, this man does seem to love his country and be a patriotic citizen. We need more of those types in our government.
But sadly, falsifying a military record for selfish and/or nefarious reasons is and has been in the past a favorite ploy of politicians. Any way you look at it, it's just plain wrong.
Which again is not what he claimed to have rcv'd.
Who, Nelly.
Semator Marl Kirk recieved a medal from the Congressional Medal of Honor Society to recognize his efforts to pass HR 1209, which was to produce a commemorative coin to honor those who recieved the award.
Semator Marl Kirk recieved a medal from the Congressional Medal of Honor Society to recognize his efforts to pass HR 1209, which was to produce a commemorative coin to honor those who recieved the award.
This is one of those topics that make my blood boil! I just cannot BELIEVE the total disrespect some people earn! GRRR
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