Dunlap man's medals questioned (Fake Marine Hero)

PJStar.com ^ | May 24, 2006 | Dave Haney

[JoeSixPack1]

Add me to that list and include a full uniform removal immediately upon meeting.

Semper Fi

[laconic]

Sealed (or lost) records, secret (nonexistent) bases, having served in no particular place but "all over" (ie., nowheres near) Vietnam, service in a unit known only to the CIA Director and "under his direct command", and a general ignorance about the military generally characterize these phony veterans. How a "judge" could have claimed to have won two Medals of Honor when virtually no one has (did Dan Daly earn two?? I know Tom Custer, the general's brother did in the Civil War).

[JoeSixPack1]

I made E-4 twice, can I claim I made E-8?

Only if you can add a SNCO school cert to back it up! :-)

Semper Fi

[rocksblues]

Wasn't there an Admiral in the 90's that killed himself when it was discovered that he wore an undeserved medal?

[colorado tanker]

It's gotten to where when I hear somebody claim to have been a SEAL, Special Forces or "spec ops" I get suspicious.

Unbelievable a guy faked the MOH. Those are easy to verify.

[Red6]

Yes, in Naples. He liked to wear all sorts of medals he never earned.

[in hoc signo vinces]

Most be common...some nutter that worked at a place I did...claimed to have been a Navy SEAL, openly.

Then one day, an actual Navy SEAL was visiting their parent that worked for the company...and wanted to meet the guy...of course the guy (poser) immediately ran out of the office for the day.

[in hoc signo vinces]

C'mon...hasn't everyone been an USAF Major, and fighter pilot, at a bar before...

[Red6]

Some you can physically check on though. Most who are in the community or have a clue can filter out the liars fairly easily.

Example: All Ranger school classes have their graduation pictures on the web and open to public access. Ask what year a guy graduated and you can see his picture, or not :)

[Graybeard58]

"Major Gen. James S. Livingston, a retired member of the U.S. Marine Corps and a recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor"

No James S. Livingston listed among the CMH awardee's, There's a James E. Livingston listed. Could he be a fake or is it a typical newspaper error?

http://news.mywebpal.com/partners/865/public/news721253.html

[Jimmy Valentine's brother]

Bantis claims his military records are sealed because of his work with naval intelligence.

"They are desecrating everybody who ever served in the military, who ever was wounded or lost a limb in battle and certainly those who gave their lives," Cottone said. "They are stealing the respect and admiration that belongs to those who have actually served."

Another Stolen Valor story. Maybe this guy served with Congressman Murtha.

[samson1097]

1995, an Illinois judge, who later resigned his post, lied for years about receiving two Medals of Honor, the nation's highest military award.

You've got two be kidding me. Has anyone, EVER, received two MoH?

[colorado tanker]

All Ranger school classes have their graduation pictures on the web and open to public access. Ask what year a guy graduated and you can see his picture, or not :)

I didn't know that. But then, I admit I never went to Ranger School. :-)

[BluH2o]

Wasn't there an Admiral in the 90's that killed himself when it was discovered that he wore an undeserved medal?

Admiral Borta I believe ... not absolutely sure of the name, but as I recall it was Borta (or something close).

[Petronski]

While Maher and other Marines shared their suspicions among themselves, it wasn't until Bantis attended an annual Marine Corps birthday ball six months ago that the apparent lie started to catch up with him. There, a picture caught Bantis donning the medals.

That is one major-league asshole.

[SICSEMPERTYRANNUS]

I am not sure about the other services but two Marines have won the MOH twice. They would be GySgt Dan Daly and Gen Smedley Butler.

SIC

[metesky]

I admit to flying high in several barrooms over a long and distinguished career.
:O)

Fighter pilot? As my Old Man used to say, "Boy, you sure can pilot. Pile it here, pile it there..."

[robowombat]

This has to be some sort of psychological disorder. Back in the 50's a fellow in Utah ran his nonexistent heroic military career all the way to the House of Representatives. Of course within a few months some newspaper reporter connected the dots and demolished his story on the front page. He was a one term congresscritter.I guess today if he were a rat they would all circle around and denounce the denouncers.

[AmericaUnited]

A Semper Fi Walter Mitty...

[usmcobra]

C'mon...hasn't everyone been an USAF Major, and fighter pilot, at a bar before...

Personally I never wore a watch big enough to get away with that lie, so I never tried.

I always looked straight in the eyes and said I'm a Sergeant of the United States Marine Corps, and had to catch them before they hit the floor.