Accused Phony War Hero in Court Today in Texas
EmailThe way he told it, David McClanahan, of Fort Worth, Texas, had been wounded in combat three times in Iraq, awarded three Silver Stars and even nominated for the Congressional Medal of Honor. Today, McClanahan, a nursing student at West Texas A&M, appeared in federal court in Amarillo, Texas, on charges he made up his hero’s tale. McClanahan did not enter a plea and was released on bond after being advised of the charges against him. The arraignment is now scheduled for June 13. His lawyer, Brooks Barfield, says McClanahan will enter a plea of not guilty. A federal grand jury indicted McClanahan last week under the newly passed Stolen Valor Act, which makes any misrepresentation of military service awards a federal crime, punishable with up to a year in prison. "This is quite an egregious offense that he held himself out as a war hero," Assistant United States Attorney Christy Drake told the Blotter on ABCNews.com. Photos: Medals of Dishonor The grand jury indictment grew out of the work of amateur Web sleuths Chuck and Mary Schantag, who run the Web site POWNetwork.org. They were asked by a Texas veterans group to do a service record check on McClanahan before he was named guest speaker at the group’s yearly banquet. According to Jack Barnes, who heads up America Supports You in Amarillo, Texas, McClanahan told him he had been awarded three Silver Stars, three Purple Hearts, the Legion of Merit and a nomination for the Congressional Medal of Honor for combat bravery in Iraq. "We just embraced this young man. His story was so real," recalled Barnes. But the Web site sleuths, the Schantags, found McClanahan had served two years in the Navy and four years in the Army, from which he was discharged as a private with no medals of valor. "His claims were too good to be true and turned out to be 100 percent false," said Mary Schantag. "Instead of his record being filled with heroism, there was no record of any of the accomplishments he had claimed." She quickly passed along the findings to the FBI. "We were shocked" by the Schantags’ discovery, said Barnes. "We can’t believe the young man would present himself as a war hero to our group when our nation is at war and we have men and women making the ultimate sacrifice for our country," Barnes, himself a Navy veteran, told ABCNews.com. "He’s gotten himself in a hell of a mess, and I’m disappointed by it," said Dan Adams, president and CEO of Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch of Amarillo, Texas, where McClanahan attended.
Just last year, McClanahan was awarded a college scholarship worth $3,500 a semester by Cal Farley’s, which is a home and school for troubled youth.
"He did pad himself as a war hero here and appeared before the scholarship committee in uniform and wearing medals," Adams told ABCNews.com. He added that McClanahan also showed off a letter he claimed was signed by President Bush, nominating McClanahan for the Congressional Medal of Honor. In its indictment, the federal grand jury charged Richard "David" McClanahan with two misdemeanor counts of knowingly and intentionally falsely representing himself as having been awarded decorations or medals authorized by Congress, including the Congressional Medal of Honor. The grand jury also charged McClanahan with making a false financial statement in connection with the indictment, a felony. This post has been updated. Do you have a tip for Brian Ross and the Investigative Team?
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Yes. Check with some of our Massachusetts politicians to see how they choreographed their military careers.
Posted by: webgp63 | May 31, 2007, 1:48 pm 1:48 pm
This looser should have to spend at least 1 full year actually working with real soldiers either serving or at a VA hospital.
Posted by: TimTom | May 31, 2007, 1:48 pm 1:48 pm
I think they should put him through boot camp, then ship him off to Iraq to prove his real valor for this country! What a worthless person….
Posted by: Jack | May 31, 2007, 1:59 pm 1:59 pm
These guys are simply pathetic.
Posted by: Doc | May 31, 2007, 2:05 pm 2:05 pm
Pathetic is too light of a word to be used for this guy and others like him. It appears that he may have actually been in the Military at one time. The best punishment for his CRIME of claiming to be an honorable veteran would be to just change his discharge status to “LESS THAN HONORABLE”!!! Russ
Posted by: Russ | May 31, 2007, 2:14 pm 2:14 pm
Wants to talk the talk but can’t walk the walk. I say kiss him and ship him and let him EARN the medals he so convienently lies about! Semper Fi!!
Posted by: Julian | May 31, 2007, 2:15 pm 2:15 pm
I love to hear all of these people say how they real heros are in Iraq right now. The soilders in Iraq are not defending America, they’re fighting someone elses civil war that we started. I don’t blame the soldier because they’re taking orders as they should but does that make them heros?
Posted by: Maximus | May 31, 2007, 2:15 pm 2:15 pm
I knew a guy from College who used to dress up as a Helicopter Pilot and hang out at the local bars and try to pick up girls. (he was actually an enlisted man in my guard unit). Someone spotted him in uniform and asked him about his unit and who he knew from that unit. he dropped my name in desperation.I found out about it. I had this guy scared for two years that the Army CID (Criminal Investigatio Division) was after him.
Posted by: mike jones | May 31, 2007, 2:21 pm 2:21 pm
95% of the people making comments here and judging others, have never been in a combat zone. 30% of the Vietnam Vets the VA treats were never in Vietnam.So before all the arm chair patriots here get a boner for hammering someone who images he is a hero. I say what have you done… Get a grip its sad but not a jail sentence.
Signed.. 22 year vet and I have been in several war Zones.
Posted by: Thomas | May 31, 2007, 2:29 pm 2:29 pm
My husband served two tours in Vietnam, turned down a purple heart and a bronze star in his first week there because he believed it would be bad luck to recieve them at this time. Fortunately he came back alive and well when so many of his comrades did not. It is deplorable for someone to take on honors that do not belong to them.
Posted by: Jazmine | May 31, 2007, 2:37 pm 2:37 pm
Many people serve, few see combat. Facts are facts. Medals, as they used to say, “that plus $1.50 (increased due to inflation) will get you a cup of coffee”.
Medals – got some, don’t claim them, don’t know where they are, don’t care. The way things are today they give medals for going to the latrine. No wonder there are some many fakes.
All vets earn care under the veteran’s administration. Thank goodness for that. Me, I’m subsidizing my own disability pay, thanks to the way the law is written.
Posted by: Eoghan | May 31, 2007, 2:44 pm 2:44 pm
It’s a very low and underhanded thing to do but I don’t know that it should be criminal. It’s hard for me to say either way — not being a vet — but I hesitate to call it evil. Now, if the guy accepted any money (book deals, speaking fees, etc.) then he could easily be guilty of fraud. But in general, lying about one’s past, so long as it isn’t for personal monetary gain, a job application, etc., has never been considered illegal to my knowledge. Wrong, pathetic and totally lacking in honor, but not illegal. Sadly, anyone who would do such a thing is likely incapable of any sense of shame, so public humiliation probably won’t work either.
Posted by: David | May 31, 2007, 2:45 pm 2:45 pm
Someone flipped the photo of Theodrore Bantis in the USMC uniform. As it is shown under medals of dishonor both his ribbons and his wedding ring are on his right hand. They both should be on his left.
Posted by: Ray | May 31, 2007, 2:47 pm 2:47 pm
As an A&M graduate and an ex-infantry officer, personally, I think he needs a beating. Just like those that wore a RANGER TAB and never went to the school, he should be given a chance to go earn his medals in combat—BUT no, he would only put legitimate soldiers lives at risks–clearly, he thinks only of himself.
Posted by: Rick | May 31, 2007, 2:51 pm 2:51 pm
They should sit this guy in front of a group of mothers,fathers,wives,and children,and let them tell him how their loved one earned their medals by giving the ultimate sacrifice.
Solon, Ohio
Posted by: Ray bardos | May 31, 2007, 2:51 pm 2:51 pm
Put him back in the Army. Then prosecute him under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). The penaties are much more severe for the same offense. How bout a few years in Leavenworth !
Retired and Proud to have served.
Posted by: 05dragon | May 31, 2007, 3:00 pm 3:00 pm
Well, this guy should be shipped to Iraq and let him earn his medals. I might be in those 95% of judging people in here but I don’t do that kind of stuff (bragging about being a hero when i’m far from being one). The only military experience that i have is on Playstation’s Socom Navy Seals!! I’m pretty good at it!
Posted by: Ssss | May 31, 2007, 3:00 pm 3:00 pm
What a dirtbag but he doesn’t need to go to prison. I think public shaming can be effective for the people who aren’t likely to re-offend. Maybe a billboard or two exposing him as a coward and a fraud and then a trip to his local VA hospital to apologize for his lies.
Posted by: Ed | May 31, 2007, 3:01 pm 3:01 pm
Put him back in the Army. Then prosecute him under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. The penalties are more severe. A few years in Leavenworth is what he needs!
Retired and Proud to have served (and they can check my records!)
Posted by: 05dragon | May 31, 2007, 3:02 pm 3:02 pm
If it’s illegal to impersonate a police officer, it should be to impersonate a military officer or even exaggerate one’s service record. I vote for him to get jail time.
Posted by: Jupmod | May 31, 2007, 3:12 pm 3:12 pm
Instead of all the hand wringing about some slobs wearing medals they aren’t entitled to, why doesn’t anyone find out EXACTLY what Bush was doing when he should have been on reserve duty?
A guy who was AWOL sending young people off to be killed in a war based on lies is more offensive to me than some loser wearing a few medals he bought on eBay or his his local Army & Navy store!
Posted by: Kent | May 31, 2007, 3:27 pm 3:27 pm
Criminal ? Yes ! It is against the law. Be assured, not all Vetrans are not heros. I served two tours in Nam and I’m definately not a hero and not a baby killer as stated by Hanoi Jane. This guy should be sent to jail.
Posted by: Paul Wilson | May 31, 2007, 3:27 pm 3:27 pm
He is a fake military hero, but if he speaks out againts the war, and calls on our troops to surrender in Iraq, he will become a REAL democrat and liberal news media hero!
Posted by: Steve LtCol USMC ret | May 31, 2007, 3:30 pm 3:30 pm
Don’t know how old you are Kent but everyone knew the rich guys and only the rich guys went into the guard back in the ’60s. That’s all in the past and only W will have to worry about it. He worked his way to the White House, and hey, everyone knows only the rich guys get into the White House.
Want to right some wrongs? Elect someone who hasn’t been in congress, hasn’t been a governor, just a good guy.
OH MR. DEEDS, where are you?
Posted by: Eoghan | May 31, 2007, 3:33 pm 3:33 pm
“He is a fake military hero, but if he speaks out againts the war, and calls on our troops to surrender in Iraq, he will become a REAL democrat and liberal news media hero!”
Hey Steve, how’s the “last throes” of that insurgency? Have they greeted us with flowers and chocolates yet? Put down the spineless Democrats all you want, but let’s not try to whitewash the dishonest and totally incompetent and clueless Republicans and conservatives! Thanks for the quagmire, by the way. Hope they cut your vets benefits to pay for all the new ones coming out of this mess! Bush won’t lose a night’s sleep if you or they have benefits or not. Semper fool!
Posted by: Melanie C. | May 31, 2007, 3:35 pm 3:35 pm
The righteous man who kills in self defense want no glory or reconition for his killing.
Posted by: The Truth | May 31, 2007, 3:49 pm 3:49 pm
The Democrat party is in its “last throes” of being an american party, it about 6 months away from being the new “Vichy party” of France in WWII. You unpatriotic and underminning and totally without values democrats keep fighting for defeat at any price, and full benefits for illeagal aliens. My benefits keep going up, despite you useful idiots like Melanie the Jane Fonda wannebe.
Posted by: Steve LtCol USMC ret | May 31, 2007, 3:51 pm 3:51 pm
I think that he should be jailed a year for each medal he claimed to have been awarded. If not more ! My father died due to exposure from Atomic Testing, he didn’t win any awards but he should have.
Posted by: Darlene Ong | May 31, 2007, 3:58 pm 3:58 pm
So Steve, do you think you should do jail time for falsely have “LtCol USMC ret” in your name to give credence to your post?
Posted by: Roy | May 31, 2007, 4:00 pm 4:00 pm
I think all democrats should due jail time in internment camps (like democrats did with americans during WWII) for falsely claiming to support our troops as they try to bring about defeat at any price. Starting with Roy of course
Posted by: Steve LtCol USMC ret | May 31, 2007, 4:11 pm 4:11 pm
Remember John Kerry? Three Purple Hearts in three months in Vietnam, but wouldn’t released his military records for it to be verified? Plus his discharge Honorable of Dishonorable? Still couldn’t be verified because he would not release his records. This David McClanahan has a future in the Democratic Party.
Posted by: R Kohn | May 31, 2007, 4:14 pm 4:14 pm
I have read through all of the comments and the one Thomas posted hit home with me. I have an older brother who served in the Navy. I have a younger brother who served with the Marines. He did one tour of duty in Viet Nam and ultimately wound up serving as a body escort, bringing sometimes unrecognizable sons, fathers, etc. back to their families to be laid to rest. He joined the Marines in 1965 and went off to Vietnam at the age of 18 years old. My older brother never left the US…was stationed in San Diego. He believes with all his heart that he served in Vietnam. He has prisoner of war stickers as well as a multitude of other stickers specific to the Vietnam war plastered all over his car. He has medals framed on the wall. He has pictures of what he calls and believes to be his Vietnam brothers. This has upset me for a long time but I have come to the conclusion that he wants to be my “younger brother”, the one that served in Vietnam. He doesn’t belong in prison. He is flat out mentally not all there. He is 62 yrs old and started imagining/believing all of this about 10 years ago. And, he receives a monthly benefit from the military for post tramatic syndrome. My younger brother does not receive nor has ever asked for any assistance from the military. He has never talked about his experiences. If anyone needs help he does as he is a lonely and angry person who suffers from black outs, etc. I have never challenged my older brother when he talks about his Vietnam buddies, etc. because I know that mentally he is not all there and it would serve no purpose. He is very much involved with Vietnam veterans. I’m not sure what kind of a point I’m trying to get across here other then sometimes there is more to the picture then you can see.
Gwen
Posted by: Gwen Hutchins | May 31, 2007, 4:42 pm 4:42 pm
It is AMAZING how many of these phonies are out there!
http://www.pownetwork.org/phonies/phonies1045.htm
I met one at a party several years ago and he was SO SINCERE –hah! he’s listed on the phonies list. TOo bad he can’t be prosecuted, too.
Posted by: hester | May 31, 2007, 4:49 pm 4:49 pm
Gwen, I think your point is clear – mental illness, effects of war, etc. doesn’t only affect those who were there, it can affect their families too. My guess is that your brother’s problems stem from some sort of deep sense of guilt for having not gone to Vietnam. I have seen this in lesser degrees living in post 9/11 New York City. I have one friend who was down at Ground Zero and worked the pile as a rescue worker for the first 5 days after the towers fell and I know others who were nearby or even in the towers. Still others who have known as many as severl doezn people who died there. Some are affected a little, some greatly and some have been driven 1/2 mad by the experience. One who was in the towers, got out, then went back in to find a pregnant friend and got her out too is among the least affected by it, IMO. Others I’ve encountered who have no direct connection other than seeing them burn from a distance are among the most affected. One can never know with such things.
Posted by: David | May 31, 2007, 4:59 pm 4:59 pm
Steve LtCol USMC ret you’re crazy if you thinking sending all democrats to prison is the right answer. It’s not that democrats don’t support the troops, it’s that they don’t support fighting in Iraq’s civil war, which our Commander in chief decided to start in the first place.
Posted by: Maximus | May 31, 2007, 5:07 pm 5:07 pm
I see alot of comments regarding what is going on in Iraq. I dont’ know what the solution is, and I hate as much as the next person to hear of more people dying over there. But I believe in my mind, I try to keep it simple by supporting the war by the same ideology I teach my children regarding their rooms.
“If you go in there and make a mess, then it is your responsibility to clean it up.”
I don’t know how to do it, but I believe that may be what is in their minds. Now, whether it can be cleaned….according to some it can, according to others it can’t.
I’m glad Saddam is gone, but man o man..what a mess it is now. Not sure what is right to do…I trust our President to make them hard decisions based on the information he’s given.
What else can we do?
Posted by: PZ | May 31, 2007, 5:28 pm 5:28 pm
Please keep in mind that this guy has already spent about 100 days in the brig for the same offense…he also has an Other Than Honorable Discharge in lieu of court martial…
He needs to be sentenced! This is a chronically ill individual!
Posted by: Anonymous | May 31, 2007, 5:38 pm 5:38 pm
“I think all democrats should due jail time in internment camps (like democrats did with americans during WWII)”
Having written nonsense like this, you prove yourself to not only be unAmerican yourself, but also treasonous to what America itself stands for. Thanks for the phoney Marine act, though. The only thing you ever served was “fries with that.” I doubt they’d let a looney like you in so much as Civil Air Patrol!
Posted by: Creighton | May 31, 2007, 5:41 pm 5:41 pm
>Check with some of our Massachusetts politicians to see how they choreographed their military careers.
At least some of them are only (if it is true) “embellishing” their service as compared the current crop of chimps who never served.
Posted by: djconklin | May 31, 2007, 5:43 pm 5:43 pm
What irony? An average Texan boasts military service and when unmasked he is hauled before a grand jury. One of the Bush sons does it and the GOP nominates him as a candidate for the presidency. But then, the “combat aviator” and consumate phony, George Jr., has made capons of the US Attorneys in Texas.
Posted by: max | May 31, 2007, 5:47 pm 5:47 pm
this guys shoudl stop by Mass. pick up Kerry suit up and both head for Iraq maybe both would have a chance to earn the medals they claim.
Posted by: Del | May 31, 2007, 5:59 pm 5:59 pm
He has disgraced himself. He should ship off, serve in Iraq with the real heros and try to redeem himself.
Posted by: Jim | May 31, 2007, 6:34 pm 6:34 pm
He should apply for French citizenship
Posted by: Matt | May 31, 2007, 6:38 pm 6:38 pm
Oh, give me a break. This guy was obviously worhless in the military, and putting him back in to fight would seriously endanger other troops. He needs to be locked up.
As for the detractors about the President’s Vietnam service, may I remind you that the Democrats embraced and elected a Vietnam War draft dodger to the White House, a one Bill ‘devil in a blue dress, where’s my cigar’ Clinton.
Posted by: Slip | May 31, 2007, 7:19 pm 7:19 pm
Oh, give me a break. Stop with the spamming already!
Posted by: Jupmod | May 31, 2007, 7:32 pm 7:32 pm
It’s interesting that sending someone to Iraq is viewed as a punishment. What kind of message is that?
Posted by: Glenn | May 31, 2007, 8:18 pm 8:18 pm
I really suprised people are still bringing up John Kerry and the swiftboat crap. If a few disgruntle veterans can call in to question a persons military service awards then all these prestigious awards are devalued. And if you devalue them David Clanahan’s case should be dismissed.
Posted by: Ray | May 31, 2007, 8:26 pm 8:26 pm
Ron Paul 2008
Posted by: Ray | May 31, 2007, 8:34 pm 8:34 pm
>As for the detractors about the President’s Vietnam service, may I remind you that the Democrats embraced and elected a Vietnam War draft dodger to the White House, a one Bill ‘devil in a blue dress, where’s my cigar’ Clinton.
So, two wrongs make a right?
What kind of family values is that?!?
Posted by: djconklin | May 31, 2007, 10:28 pm 10:28 pm
Then why not charge Bush/Cheney with making false statements (lying) about being honest, competent, leaders?
Posted by: Frank | May 31, 2007, 11:20 pm 11:20 pm
For the person that wonders if the troops “just doing their jobs” make then heroes, yes it does. Because they’re doing above and beyond what is asked of them. Many of them not too long ago were high school students. Now they are fighting in a war. That’s says alot about someone. To endure things that the average person couldn’t even imagine. Never question the sacrifice of our troops or if what they do makes them heroes. Every military member of this antion are heroes because they don’t think twice about what they can do for their country. Would you do the same?
Posted by: Tamara | May 31, 2007, 11:43 pm 11:43 pm
wearing medals for legalized murder is nothing to be proud of.
we’ve just had it jammed down our throats that there’s something special about going to war. those who fight in wars are never those who started the wars. aren’t you tired of having the wool pulled over your eyes?
Posted by: pookie | June 1, 2007, 2:39 am 2:39 am
Now this guy is getting into trouble for lying – most probably he was not hurting anyone. while politiician get away with their lies which are costing lives.
Posted by: John | June 1, 2007, 4:08 am 4:08 am
3 silver stars and 3 purple hearts and a nomination for one of the highest honors in the military? How did anyone believe him to begin with? Have none of these people smelled bs before? I have met tons of people who are full of it, so I tend not to believe insane outrageous things like this at first glance. He might as well have said that he was the one who killed Darth Vader.
Posted by: dumper | June 1, 2007, 9:31 am 9:31 am
I have one comment to throw in the pot.
I know this guy and believe me, if he ever gets into the medical field, it might not be long before he has all kinds of forged documents purtaining to medicine. He has the ability to obtain a nursing degree legally then become a doctor with forged papers. Then just hope that he never treats you.
This is his MO and has been for a long time. Theft of Honor is the tip of the iceburg.
Posted by: Terri Moore | June 1, 2007, 9:41 am 9:41 am
When he drives around with Purple Heart license plate, it was pretty hard NOT to believe him..
He got POW plates for my car – he is very smooth. Please don’t undersetimate this guy.
He didn’t just fool me and my family, but our TxDOT too..
Posted by: dr | June 1, 2007, 10:31 am 10:31 am
I know David personally and have for many years. He has the capability to smooth talk and convince just about anyone. He served in the navy for about three years and then went Blue to Green and joined the army. He falsified documents, and did it really good too. I sawl them and have got to say, they were very convincing. He purchased medals online. He wore these medals while he was in the service of the army and that is why he did Brig time (at Fort Bragg I beleive). He was busted down to an E1 at his next command and they kicked him out with an other than honorable discharge in leu (spelled right?) of court martial. Then his first wife left him because of his dishonesty and lies. He found anawesome girl and started dating her, but that was full of lies and she was really taken advantage of and used. He misled her and she and her family had no idea. He conviced her to marry him and she, beleiving he was this great war hero, said yes. Just to find out later that he started dating her and they were engaged while he was still married to his first wife. Their divorce wasn’t final until less than three months before they were married. She had no idea about this until last week. She was horrified and felt so bad that she had dated a married man. David represented several groups as a “War Hero” and accepted donations for “Operation Home Front”, among others. He basically frauded caring people out of donations and money. He forged a letter from the white house, claiming he had been nominated for the Congressional Medal of Honor and showed it to tons of people. I personally never dreamed it was fake, it looked completley authentic. He said he had spoken to the President and the Secretary of Defense. All LIES! He entertained in his home many highly repected and highly powered individuals making “game plans” for his nomination and acceptance. Then when it came down to the wire, he told everyone that he declined the nomination because it was tearing apart his family. Which was the complete opposit of the truth. He was covering his butt. He destroyed all evidence he had including fake certificates and medals. Pictures with him in his uniform with his supposed medals, ribbons, and pens. He had claimed to be an E-8. I have a picture of him in his uniform wearing all of these things with and E-8 patch on his uniform. I obtained this recently. He lies constantly and is incredibly deceitfull. He did lie on a car loan appl. through Amarillo National Bank. He basically trippled his actual income in order to receive a loan, which he did not actually receive. He should be punished to the max of the law. He has hurt many. His current wife is fieling for Annulment. She was completley deceived and he basically racked multi-thousands in debt in her name. She is a victim here. Faced with all of this information and knowledge David still lies to our faces and claims he is inasant.
JULIAN- Yes it does make them heroes. I don’t see you defending our freedom. So until you serve and are faced with the possibility of death to protect freedom, you really shouldn’t judge!
Posted by: Retrac | June 1, 2007, 11:31 am 11:31 am
I knew David growing up, and let me tell you, this is no shocker! His whole life, he told lies and deceived people who cared alot about him. That is why I was somewhat glad to see this happen, to see his lies finally catch up to him!!
David, if you were half the man you pretended to be, you would not have done this to your (former) wife and precious children!
Posted by: sarah | June 1, 2007, 1:05 pm 1:05 pm
Sounds like at the very least this guy is guilty of fraud if the stories those here who say they know him are true. Sounds like a lot more than an otherwise harmless (if honorless) fib. He was defrauding people out of money, using the lie for personal gain.
Posted by: David (not this guy) | June 1, 2007, 4:57 pm 4:57 pm
SARAH: I dont know who you are but wishing something on someone else will only come back to bite YOU IN THE BUTT! As for his preciouse children, neither of the boys even know about any of it. And V left him way before this so it isn’t happening to her PERIOD!
Posted by: Retrac | June 1, 2007, 8:16 pm 8:16 pm
Since everyone else that knows David is posting on here, I thought I would too. He can smooth talk anyone, sell ice to an Eskimo and make him wildly grateful to have it. David is smart, persuasive, handsome and if you make him mad he can be scary as well. He neither honors or respects those people that try to care for him. Instead he finds some way to gain an advantage by using them. I’m thrilled that Retrac put everything out on the table, because so many of the posts from yesterday kept down-talking the severity of the situation. For someone to be sly and manipulative enough to fake the medals (whether you honor medal winners or not) means that the person has the skill to fake other things in their life. David did not just fake the medals and then act like a wonderful upstanding citizen in the rest of his life. I hope he gets prison time, in part, because he burned me and I’m still very upset about that. But, I also want him to get prison time so he will not be available to continue taking advantage of people.
And to dumper, I congratulate you on your ability to smell a bs-er. This guy will give you a run for your money.
3 cheers for the Federal Justice System!!!!!!
Posted by: former friend | June 1, 2007, 10:15 pm 10:15 pm
My appolgogies Julian, I meant that for Maximus
Posted by: Retrac | June 2, 2007, 8:32 am 8:32 am
I’ve built a website that has links to all the media that have reported on him.
http://www.dramarillo.com
Posted by: wi | June 2, 2007, 10:37 am 10:37 am
something that botherw me personally is that i was in nam several times barely swueeked by friendly fire and had quite a few close calls …put out a fire on the conn etc etc not even a mention nor do i care except that i have ptsd and can not get anything out of it …but oh well that’s the way it goes sometimes . i don’t envy andy one that survived ..so many of my friends and aquaintances did not …sounds like a lot of frustration in these words too bad love and light to you all !!
Posted by: poppajon | June 3, 2007, 1:14 am 1:14 am
most of the morons who call in to talk raido shows. saying they are Veterns, yet never mention where, what city, and what troop, what service ie Army Navy airforce, are just as phoney, and most are Rush Limbaugh ditto Heads.
taking their bi-polar medication, drinking beer in their mobile home, that their ex-wife left them, when she left with the kids.
Posted by: Ron Mills | June 3, 2007, 10:24 am 10:24 am
In response to David concerning this person not taking money. In a way he has, he was awarded a scholarship for college! That is a round about way of taking money. I am sure if it wasn’t caught, he would have used it to obtain a job using his “hero” status. He should not be given any military benefits, eg: medical, housing, etc since he has lied about his “hero” status. He is a disgrace.
Posted by: nancy | June 3, 2007, 12:50 pm 12:50 pm
Im a vet and still carry bits and pieces of one thing or another along with the scars. I have several gongs all for underfire and none for being a choir boy. If you ask any vet that has seen the elephant you have 75% boredom 20% excitement and the rest is sheer terror. alot of us dont have to make stories. 6 years in one service or another and still a private. He should be tarred and feathered on national tv then court-martial and sent to leavenworth for nothing else than being a scumbag.
Posted by: c130e | June 3, 2007, 12:55 pm 12:55 pm
As a Vietnam combat veteran,door gunner/crewchief,who continues to morn lost friends, this guy is the lowest.Stolen valor reflects on the honor,steals honor, from those that most deserve recognition,if from no one else,their brothers.Most of you that havent been there,find this hard to understand.Its about HONOR,Trust duty and having your brothers back.Many who have earned these medals,lay in a cold dark grave,with no hug to welcome them home.All they have is honor.And this piece of crap tries to steal it.Go to Jail and rot there.Vietnam,71/72,2corp,gunner on slicks.Oh,the VA? they say we(helicopter crewmen) didnt have combat jobs.May they rot in hell as well.
Posted by: F. Alvis | June 4, 2007, 9:52 am 9:52 am
Sure wish Brian Ross would get it right — it’s not the Congressional Medal of Honor but Medal of Honor.
Posted by: Martin | June 4, 2007, 9:58 am 9:58 am
Sounds like he has a promosing career in politics in his future, and if the treasonous libs get their way, having a criminal record will not matter, as long as he’s a democrat ( demonrat ) Personally I would like to force all those who claim to be proud Americans but don’t support this global war on terror to serve at least 6 months in the Military. As a proud father and father-in-law of 2 Air Force Captains, both in Iraq, I hate what the libs are doing to my country
Posted by: Keith | June 4, 2007, 11:13 am 11:13 am
The world is full of wannabee’s at least this one did not murder anyone, yet.
Posted by: Dennis | June 4, 2007, 12:44 pm 12:44 pm
Well, according to personal stories told to me by my father’s war bodies, we had approximately a million men storm the beaches of Normandy in WWII, and my uncle, who was Tuskegee airmen, saved practically every bomber that ever flew.
Look, this guy is no doubt the loser, but we really can’t go around arresting people and putting them in jail for lying about their wartime experiences.
What are we going to do next, write a law that says weekend fishermen have to tell the truth, or all old high-school football tales of daring do, have to be factually correct.
I’m more incensed that they actually made a law such as the one used to nail this guy.
I’m out
Posted by: Me | June 5, 2007, 11:22 am 11:22 am
Ok we get it what he did was wrong, and stupid, now he has to live with everyone knowing he’s a liar, and a fake. In my opinion that’s enough, the cost of a trial, the waste of media, jail, and court time as well as the time wasted by those who came up with wrote, voted on and singed in to law such a law is much worse than what this young, dumb young person has done.
Who we really need to be seeking convictions of is those who created this Iraq mess, Lied to the American people, wasted the lives of all those truely brave young people, and stole and missused the Billions of dollars the next three generations of Americans will have to work to pay-off.
Yea like that will happen.
Posted by: rocky | June 5, 2007, 6:03 pm 6:03 pm
“Sure wish Brian Ross would get it right — it’s not the Congressional Medal of Honor but Medal of Honor.
Posted by: Martin | Jun 4, 2007 9:58:10 AM”
FYI, The Medal of Honor, because it is generally presented to its recipient by the President of the United States of America in the name of Congress, it is often called the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Posted by: Paul Simminger | June 5, 2007, 6:07 pm 6:07 pm
Okay, “Me”, how you like to have somebody posing as a doctor, working on you. According to your statements, “Look, this guy is no doubt the loser, but we really can’t go around arresting people and putting them in jail for lying about their wartime experiences.
What are we going to do next, write a law that says weekend fishermen have to tell the truth, or all old high-school football tales of daring do, have to be factually correct.
I’m more incensed that they actually made a law such as the one used to nail this guy.” lying about his past is okay. Good luck with your heart surgery, tho…
Posted by: Paul Simminger | June 5, 2007, 6:12 pm 6:12 pm
Paul, the problem comes when he one day decides that being a nurse isn’t good enough and makes his own MD degree and hangs it on the wall.
I have no doubt that would happen if he is not conviced of a felony which would bar him from any medical field.
Posted by: we | June 5, 2007, 9:49 pm 9:49 pm
Paul,
I’m sure you can tell the difference between someone actually “ACTING OUT A FRAUD” and some one lying.
If yer on a plane and someone talks up his Dr. skills, that’s one thing. . .
if someone ACTUALLY TRIES to fraudulently practice medicine on ya. . ..that’s quite another.
C’mon man!!! stay with me now!!!
Posted by: Me | June 5, 2007, 10:11 pm 10:11 pm
You’re saying that our nation needs to remove the present administration because they lied; how far down the line of elected & appointed officials of our government do you plan on removing. Remember, while Patton was against Nazism, he put several Nazis to work for the new Germany.
Who do you plan to replace in the vacuum?
What makes you think that the D.N.C. isn’t corrupted?
The Clintons have “Whitewater skeletons” that they DON’T want exposed. Had anybody else(with less $$$ & family connections) been with Mary Jo that night, they would have gone to jail.
Posted by: Paul Simminger | June 5, 2007, 10:42 pm 10:42 pm
I remember a case while in the Navy of a sailor who said he had been a Vietnam theater POW. He had (in his mine) been awared various medals for which he wore the ribbons. He also in times of stress had black outs. Everyone went out of there way to respect this sailor. I was given a JAG case to investagate a car(Gov.) accident. The sailor had been driving this car. In the corse of looking in to this matter I found out the closes he been to Vietnam was in Germany(USAF). No medals or combat action for him. He was give an artical 32 and busted two(2) paygrades and supended on one(1) for 6 months. This was just for the wearing ribbons. David did the crime now he should do the time. You know when its’ “Talk the talk, walk the walk” time.
EWCS(SW)(Ret)
Posted by: Tom Steinberg | June 6, 2007, 11:49 pm 11:49 pm
“Me”, were you ever in the service?
Posted by: Paul Simminger | June 7, 2007, 3:38 am 3:38 am
I Served 18 months in Iraq and survived 21 fire fights, now I fight the good fight to get the VA to fix my knee that was blown out in combat!!!
Posted by: Tom Gaughan | June 7, 2007, 4:27 am 4:27 am
To the person that stated that the Congressional Medal of Honor (CMH)is the Medal of Honor. That is wrong. It was officially changed in the 1980s to the CMH. I want to add, in most cases it included a Casket with Metal Handles (CMH). “For those who have seen real combat, Life has a flavor. The rest will never know”
Twice Wounded – retired MSG USA SF
Posted by: Jerry | June 7, 2007, 8:45 am 8:45 am
Parade him in front of the media, Shame him on t.v. Then give him time in the clinc to think over his lies and work out how he will con the next victim. I served in Vietnam, then spent the best part of 30 odd years working in the Prison System as an executive Officer. Prisons bread better and crafter prisoners. I would sujest a system of week end detention, where he must report to a millitary base and cut lawns, weed gaurdens, and paint rocks for two years so. If he doesn’t turn up then send the Millitary Police after him, 6 months in the brig, then back to the Rock Painting. At least he would not be a liar when he says, “If not for me that camp would not have a gardener.”
Posted by: Ken Taylor | June 7, 2007, 10:08 am 10:08 am
First, if you are not certain of facts and information, you really shouldn’t open your mouth to spread crap around! There is enough nonsense in the world already. And I don’t know what an EAR has to do with any of this. In fact it seems very strange if I were to think of it at all. Most of the things posted on this chain have zero to do with David. It is as if people just feel the need to post something whether or not it is relivant or logical. And wishing physical harm or bad things upon someone, anyone, is as large a sin in the eyes of the Lord as what David allegedly has done. (And it makes you look VERY immature) If these accusations are to be beleived and thought true then he will be punished by the courts appropriatley. And those who seek his basic crusification, will they be happy then? Is it not in this country inasant until proven guilty? Do you all have the evidence laid before you to make a decision? Because clearly you all think you hold the answers and should decide his fate. If it’s justice you are all seeking, then I suggest you allow that to take place instead of being your personal 1 man jury and judge. The truth might just surprise you. He might just be INASANT!
Posted by: Informed | June 7, 2007, 10:17 pm 10:17 pm
“Then there is the ludicrous claim that a FEW disgruntled veterans were dissing Kerry. Except for several people in his boat crew (not all of them), those “few” were the ENTIRE swift boat squadron who served on the SAME river”
Like I believe you or a bunch of favor seekers led by the likes John O’Neill, a Nixon toady from a long way back!! Anyone that stood there and lied about John Kerry to curry favor with the Bush regime dishonored themselves, their uniform and their nation! Of course, whether it’s John Kerry, Jack Murtha, John McCain, Max Cleland or the countless wounded soldiers subjected to third world healthcare at Walter Reed, it’s obvious that Republicans don’t care about, nor honor those that fight for our nation, so long as there’s a vote to be had and a buck to be made! “Truth, honor and integrity be damned” should be the motto of this administration and its lackies in the Swift Boat Vets for–LOL!–Truth!
Posted by: Edwin | June 8, 2007, 1:50 pm 1:50 pm
Informed,
Then David needs to get checked to see if he’s INASANT so that we can get him off the streets before he harms someone, right?
Posted by: Paul Simminger | June 10, 2007, 10:30 am 10:30 am
I went to school with David when he was here in Canyon and I must admit, I was taken in by his story, as were the other students and professors. Innocent? Very far from it. I don’t wish him any ill will or crucification, but he needs to pay for what he has done. He has dishonored so many that have fought and gave their lives so that he can tell these stories.
Posted by: Disappointed | June 10, 2007, 11:12 am 11:12 am
Thanks to the POW Network and the FOIA, we now have military records available to us on my site – just click on my name and it’ll take you there.
Posted by: robin | June 10, 2007, 1:02 pm 1:02 pm
People are dying and getting less medals. He’s a liar. He should get the max. Or we can strap his ass to a nuke and blow the crap out of Iraq– he might get the medal of honor then.
Posted by: Tyler | June 10, 2007, 9:58 pm 9:58 pm
Let me meet this guy face to face. Tomorrow is the first memorial day for a friend of mine I was serving alongside with in Afghanistan. He was KIA 11JUN06, and I plan to honor the life he lived with the simplicity of saluting the colors at work tomorrow, which is usually done just by the duty personnel.
A lot is meant through that salute.
A lot is meant through this disrespectful citizen who attempted to steal the real heroes’s glory.
Posted by: Steve (Afghan Campaign Veteran) | June 10, 2007, 11:23 pm 11:23 pm
Paul Simminger: IS THAT NOT EXACTLY WHAT THEY ARE DOING…
Posted by: Informed | June 11, 2007, 9:30 pm 9:30 pm
this guy makes me sick I was actualy a wounded in iraq and when i saw this story i wanted to murder this clown
Posted by: andrew | June 12, 2007, 9:58 am 9:58 am
FYI: His arraignment is tomorrow (13 June 07) at 1:30. For those in the area I strongly suggest you go. It is at the Federal Building in downtown Amarillo. Please keep in mind that no cell phones or cameras are allowed in the building.
I’m sure as hell going to be there.
Posted by: Robin | June 12, 2007, 10:35 am 10:35 am
This guy is just a peice of work. As all of these legal problems are occuring, he is still scamming women and taking advantage of people. He has gotten one girl to buy him a car and then he dumped her. Then he has moved on to even more women. He will continue to lie, scam and steal until he is put in jail or dies.
Posted by: Retrac | June 13, 2007, 9:19 pm 9:19 pm
I used to dress up like a war hero to pick up chicks at a local bar. I never scored though so does that make me a bad person?
Posted by: Bill Paxton | June 19, 2007, 2:25 pm 2:25 pm
I actually know this guy and I was stationed in Korea with him. I considered him a friend. Now after finding out about this, it makes me sick. The people that are actually fighting this war and dying every day are the true heroes. This just turns my stomach
Posted by: terry cardwell | June 27, 2007, 3:53 pm 3:53 pm
Tomorrow marks the end of pre-trial. A jury will begin the selection process soon.
Posted by: rbeard | July 8, 2007, 9:13 pm 9:13 pm
It’s hit Army Times!! Should be in tomorrows edition! I believe it’s online now.
Posted by: rbeard | July 22, 2007, 7:51 pm 7:51 pm
Why is he being charged with something everyone does? Who hasn’t claimed to have earned a little more money on a loan application? The medals thing is just wrong…. he really screwed up there. Good luck buddy.
Posted by: Clam head | July 24, 2007, 10:12 am 10:12 am
I returned from Iraq 10 months ago and seen combat and the recognition we received (Army commendations and Combat action badges) is the norm for E-6s and below. E-7s and above who mostly stayed on the FOB received Bronze Stars. Granted not for valor but awards are given based on the rank you hold not always on the actions of valor except if they are extreme. I been hit by IEDs and small arms and just happy to be home. That is my award that God has given me. But lets see what happens if I am deployed again which is the norm for soldiers and marines today. Anyway, this guy is tarnished and barred for the rest of his life. He cannot get no government job and his credibility is trash. Too bad he didnt live up to the Army values that should have been taught to him in that 3 week basic training. I thought the Navy teaches better. Army Values are based on leadership.
L-Loyalty
D-Duty
R-Respect
S-Selfless service
H-Honor
I-Integrity
P-Personal courage
He has tarnished each and every one. Guys in the stockade serving now probably still has some of these left in them.
Point is that the good soldiers that fight and put it on the line daily deserve more recognition than they get.
SSG Quinones
Posted by: SSG Q | July 25, 2007, 10:06 am 10:06 am
I agree about 50% with some of the folks that say this guy should not receive a jail sentence. I agree because being such an idiot and a loser in life is a life sentence in and of itself. I disagree because anyone lying or embellishing their record demeans the significance of the award. As SSG Q mentions awards now are pretty much a joke because awards are given by rank which I feel is jut as bad as claiming badges that do not belong to you. I actually know a CPT (the AG) in my old unit that received the CAB, for what? I am unsure. We all pretty much went through the same crap in Iraq. This (David M.)is such a blatent example. I actually feel sorry for the guy. For him to think that claiming so many awards would not cause any waves. Maybe he is a legit schizo.
Posted by: J C | July 25, 2007, 8:47 pm 8:47 pm
Criminal indictments are only charges and not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Posted by: lisa Frankston | July 26, 2007, 11:44 pm 11:44 pm
Unfortunatly I have served with David. I went to Flight Medic School with him at Ft. Rucker Alabama. When we served together, I would have never dreamed that he would pull this kind of stunt. I am extremly disapointed and hurt that he would try and pass himself off as any kind of “war hero”. All the “heros” I know, dont like to talk about their actions, and what they have done. I cant believe he did this. I want and EXPECT him to be put behimd bars for the longest time possible by law. I am truly sorry this happened, it looks extremly bad on me as a soldier, and the Army in general.
Posted by: Jonathan Bailey | August 3, 2007, 11:27 am 11:27 am
Army Times has posted an update to the case..
Posted by: rbeard | August 8, 2007, 8:36 pm 8:36 pm
Its shocking to see how much of this is going on, and it extends to fraud with VA disability and health benefits, and other state resources are stolen from the taxpayers.
Posted by: Jolly | August 19, 2007, 5:58 am 5:58 am
I ran into a Ranger wanna-be in El Paso who swore he was a Panama/Somalia/Desert Story Ranger hero. Always telling shoot’um up and blood and guts stories, but all the details were “classified”. Also claimed to be an El Paso Deputy Sheriff and member of their SRT. Took a Ranger recommended PI to expose him as having never even been in the military, never in law enforcement, and he was using 3 alias’, and 3 SSNs while he was dating my daughter.
Posted by: Jeff Howards | September 17, 2007, 1:31 pm 1:31 pm
USMC 1977-1981, Sgt. I expose phony Marines all the time, and only know a little about the Army to ask questions about what Army MOS they were. Also, since I was on 4 different ships; Pensacola, Lamoure County, Okinawa and Belleau Wood, I got a little knowlege of Navy ops, so sometimes I get them, too. I think this guy should be sent to aa mental institution more than a jail, but also on an apology tour. While I want to smack people like this, embarrassing them publically would most likely make a better impression unless they were stealing money, too or using families of the fallen.
Posted by: JimBan | October 6, 2007, 4:07 pm 4:07 pm
Sentencing set for November 1 @ 9:00 am. Amarillo Federal Court house.
Posted by: robin | October 29, 2007, 1:01 pm 1:01 pm
34 months & 5 years probation…
Posted by: robin | November 1, 2007, 7:19 pm 7:19 pm
And there I was. I was hopelessly surrounded at FT Living Room by a case of twinkies and beer. The remote was out of reach, so I couldn’t change the channel. I had to eat and drink my way out to get the remote. Oh the trauma! 2 hours of twinkies and beer with the TV stuck on Oprah. Was I afraid you ask? Heck yeah! I was afraid one of them twinkies or beers was gonna get away. I finally got the remote and changed the channel to football. I was recommended for the medal of displeasure with the pepto bismol device. The wife meritoriously promoted me to lawn boy. I put my ribbons on my uniform and mowed the lawn. Then I got in trouble for driving my lawn mower under the influence and mister police occifer wasn’t impressed with my medal of displeasure. I told him to be careful as I was qualified on my weapon and could hit him 23 out of 40 times! Then I hit a tree in my yard. Now I’m undergoing therapy for PTSD while in action at FT Living Room.
Posted by: PFC Tentpeg | November 19, 2007, 4:39 am 4:39 am
As a veteran, I have an even better idea, tell a platoon of deployed soldiers about this moron, then ship this idiot out to them so they can show him some valor, not to mention what they think of him.
Posted by: Dev | March 27, 2008, 6:23 pm 6:23 pm
You know all i want to say is everyone lies…one time or another big or small everyone lies. Santa claus is a lie we tell all of our children….until they are old enough to firgure it out. A lie is a lie…our president lies!! And i have always dreamed of being a war hero…never got to the war but did the best to get there. Dont you think the guys that are “real” heros are the ones that DONT get the license plates on there car are the ones that DONT wear the hat that says veteren…the ones that DONT whine about other guys making up war stories…doesnt dishonor them…its our way of life..ever since the fisrt fish was caught that was a lil small. Stolen valor is a JOKE! Like i said…the guy that wants the hat or license plate on his car so he can say “look at me im a war hero” is not someone i look up to!!! The “war hero” thats goes and talks at schools and stuff..is saying look at me…I did something great many many years ago and still want to be admired!! War is a very bad and evil thing and the war heros that ride the IM SPECCIAL train for years and years…is someone i dont look up to. The real heros kinda go unnoticed..the way they like it to be. And they dont hate people for making war stories up. A law that makes criminals out of guys that “wish” they got the chance to be a hero or “wish” they were a hero..doesnt mean they are evil bad people..just means they “acted” on something alot of dreamed about…its not right..but its not really wrong either.
Posted by: Artofhonor | June 14, 2008, 1:12 am 1:12 am
he was probably some pencil pusher or cook who never left the base.
Posted by: Billy | April 15, 2009, 2:09 am 2:09 am