He doesn’t have a Combat Action Ribbon. End of story. Doesn’t mean he’s not a veteran, or that he didn’t serve honorably. But without that CAR, he shouldn’t be playing the “wartime veteran” card because it is misleading.
I’ll give you one. I’ve been told I can join the VFW. I told their recruiter, I was in during Vietnam, but wasn’t boots on the ground. I road ballistic missile subs during that time. He said I was eligible because that was considered Cold War service. I declined. My high school friends, my brotherinlaw and his siblings were in the jungle while I was on a boat in the med. there’s a difference. I’m a Veteran but not a combat vet. There ain’t no free ride. IMHO. Buttplug can GFHS.