Fake war hero sentenced to probation, must pay back stolen benefits

Orlando Sentinel ^ | June 7, 2014 | Susan Jacobson

[moonshinner_09]

A former Marine from St. Cloud who lied about having fought in Vietnam was sentenced to probation on Friday and must reimburse the government for benefits he fraudulently obtained, a federal judge ruled.

Four of his fellow members of the American Legion wrote letters supporting Walter Eatman, 68, according to a motion filed by Eatman's attorney.

"As long as we have known [Walt}, he has had the interest of the American Legion, and the U.S. Veterans, ahead of anything else," wrote Gerald A. Fairman Sr., commander of American Legion Post 183 in Fern Park.The defense argued that Eatman should not go to prison partly because he and his wife are raising their granddaughter.

Eatman, known as "Walt" and "Sandman," was sentenced to five years of probation. He also must pay the government back $53,270 for medical treatment to which he was not entitled. He could have received up to 15 years in prison.

[moonshinner_09]

"As long as we have known [Walt}, he has had the interest of the American Legion, and the U.S. Veterans, ahead of anything else," wrote Gerald A. Fairman Sr., commander of American Legion Post 183 in Fern Park...What does that have to do with him stealing $53,270 in government money and benefits, including medication and mental-health counseling for post-traumatic stress syndrome, by lying about having been in combat in Vietnam.And he tried to have his Veterans Affairs benefits increased in September 2010, claiming he suffered from PTSD..How did this benefit the American Legion ?

[wideawake]

For the majority of the population, putting up the correct false front in itself is worthy of reward.

To seem rather than to be is good enough.

[BuffaloJack]

Sounds like liberals wanting to do a money grab on a veteran.
In 1974 tens of thousands of the records of Vietnam and other servicemen were burned up in a fire in Washington. These guys are having a deuce of a time getting their benefits.
One of the guys in my own unit had this happen to him.
No G.I. benefits and branded a liar. I found a photo of him among my stuff, in green camo outside our barracks. I sent the photo and a sworn statement that I knew him in Vietnam to him. His wife thanked me for the proof, but it came too late. He died the day I mailed it to him. She did take the proof and go after widow’s benefits though. Too late for Jim though.

[BuffaloJack]

The photo was of him standing in from of the headquarters for Chief Naval Advisory Group, MACV. Hard proof to deny.

[AlaskaErik]

One thing the VFW does when you become an officer in the organization is they make you provide your DD 214. Maybe the American Legion should do the same. This would help weed out the wanna be’s.