Fake retired Marine general may face charges Man wore rows of unearned medals, insignia, eyepatch

http://msnbc.msn.com ^ | 8 19 05 | The Associated Press

[freepatriot32]

SHREVEPORT, La. - William Lawson looked every bit the retired Marine general this summer as he stood before a crowd of 200 people, demanding that a cemetery properly dispose of the American flags placed at the graves of veterans.

He had on khakis, the Marines’ summer service uniform, complete with a general’s stars and row after row of medals, including the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Good Conduct Medal. He even wore an eyepatch.

It turns out, however, that Lawson wasn’t a general at all — or even a World War II combat veteran. His 19 months in the Marines were all spent stateside — he ended boot camp after Iwo Jima — and he never rose above the rank of private first class.

[BeHoldAPaleHorse]

"Maybe I'm being cynical, but I've always been slightly suspicious of those guys who hang around Vietnam War memorials wearing boonie hats, parts of fatigue uniforms, and combat boots."

Those are, 99% of the time, phonies. The ones wearing their Sunday best are the real vets.

[BeHoldAPaleHorse]

Well, Denny's comes to mind :)

[darkwing104]

Anyone know if this guy is for real? He claims to have been in the 82nd Airborne.

I don't know if he is legit or not. I bet a few FReepers will research it. Never be afraid to question someone service. The ones who brag about it way too often are most fakes. Outside of mention on FR I never talk about my service because most people don't care to hear it.

[oh8eleven]

C'mon, he's a 79 year old geezer with one eye. I ain't happy he did it, but your "punishment" was over the top.

[DumpsterDiver]

Well, Denny's comes to mind :)

LOL.

Now I know where to go look if I need a job.

[darkwing104]

C'mon, he's a 79 year old geezer with one eye. I ain't happy he did it, but your "punishment" was over the top.

The embarrassment alone with probably kill him

[darkwing104]

The embarrassment alone with probably kill him.

The embarrassment alone will probably kill him

[kas2591]

No, but from his comments he sounds like a shitbird.

[DakotaRed]

I spent 12 months in Vietnam as a cook at a firebase, and got out of the Army as a Spec 4. No big heroism; I just fed soldiers. I can't understand why someone would do all this.

Don't degrade your contribution. Cooks are as necessary as an Infantryman. They can't fight if they don't eat. Even Cooks were subject to wounds at Firebases, Charlie didn't care what our MOS was, he just saw an OD Green Uniform.

As far as understanding, some just want to feel important. They like to brag to others what a hero they are and some even use thier false tours to run for public office and actually win. B.G. Burkett wrote a good book, Stolen Honor, exposing many who claimed Veteran status and used it to further their careers. It was even discovered that many who tesitified at sKerry's so called "Winter Soldier" investigation were just as phony as this guy.

[FreedomCalls]

More on him: "My name is Benjamin Hart Viges and I am a veteran of this current war in Iraq. After September 11th I thought joining the army was a way to solve the problem we as Americans were facing. After spending a year in Iraq I was given a first hand experience of war. It showed me that the occupation was spurring on further violence which is contrary to why they told us we were there. When I came back I filed for Conscientious Objector status. After ten months I received CO status and was released from the army honorably. "

[Bommer]

"Lousy bastard! Gotta smoke?"

[darkwing104]

He's a CO and still wears his old uniform? Something just isn't right...

[oh8eleven]

Maybe I'm being cynical, but I've always been slightly suspicious of those guys who hang around Vietnam War memorials wearing boonie hats, parts of fatigue uniforms, and combat boots.
I joined my local VVA 25 years ago and much to my surprise 75% of the unit weren't 'Nam vets, they were F'in wannabees. I quit.

[FreedomCalls]

He's a CO and still wears his old uniform? Something just isn't right...

I know. El Gato pointed out something strange about his unit patch as well. Maybe he's legit, but I got a weird feeling...

[FMBass]

“I joined my local VVA 25 years ago and much to my surprise 75% of the unit weren't 'Nam vets, they were F'in wannabees. I quit.”

Hopefully, and what I suspect is that, what you experienced is not typical of these groups.

My reason for not joining the VFW and such is that I simply would rather not be reminded of that time of my life. Just a personal thing.

[A.A. Cunningham]

Stolen Valor

[Nick Danger]

Arrggghhh.

[Doe Eyes]

I bet he was a democrat!

"William Lawson looked every bit the retired Marine general this summer as he stood before a crowd of 200 people, demanding that a cemetery properly dispose of the American flags placed at the graves of veterans."

Sounds like a Democrat.

[PAR35]

C'mon, he's a 79 year old geezer with one eye.

He lied about everything else, and you think the eye patch is real? I'd have to see the vacant socket before I'd fall for that part of the scam.

[Slack]

Bullshit! I was in the 44th sigbat and the 1st Cav in Nam. Don't even try to tell me what to wear when I want to wear it.