Posted on 11/13/2006 11:08:25 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
The morning of Friday, April 18, 1997, Daniel Wells of McKinney took the stand in his own defense. Charged with aggravated sexual assault for fondling his girlfriend's 8-year-old daughter, Wells explained it was all a misunderstanding. Wells was a decorated Vietnam war hero, with two Purple Hearts and two Bronze Medals for valor. On cross-examination, testimony revealed that even the mother initially hadn't believed the little girl. It was the war hero's word against the child's. In desperation the prosecutor's office tracked down B.G. Burkett, a silver-haired Dallas financial adviser who has obtained a national reputation as a military researcher and historian of the Vietnam War. Within an hour, Burkett had obtained Wells' military record. That afternoon, Burkett drove to McKinney, was sworn in as an expert witness, and testified that Daniel Wells was a fake. He had a mediocre military career as a Navy cargo handler; he had never served in combat, nor had he ever received any valorous decorations. Wells' story fell apart. He was sentenced to 20 years. Like the nationally infamous Larry Lawrence, the big Democratic donor who invented a story of heroic action in the merchant marine and was briefly interred in Arlington National Cemetery, Daniel Wells had concocted his Vietnam war stories from true-life accounts in books and magazine articles. Wells' lies were no surprise to B.G. Burkett. Whenever a media story portrays a troubled Vietnam vet who relies on the war to explain or excuse himself, Burkett investigates. In most cases, the purported vet is an exaggerator or an outright fake.
(Excerpt) Read more at pownetwork.org ...
Is this Burkett the same dude who gave dan rather the phony story about President Bush?
I don't think they are the same person at all, but I will double-check...
It's not the same guy. I am set to marry a real Vietnam vet in April. He never tells me much, which means he really was there. Just like my uncles in Korea and WWII. If they tell you about it in any detail, they were not really there.
NOT AT ALL THE SAME GUY! See this article in NewsMax:
http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2004/4/4/234750.shtml
Good! I hate phony vets with a passion. I have heard so many obviously made-up "war stories" from so many drunken loudmouths I just have to get up and walk out of the room when these liars start their bullshit. I can't believe how many losers claim to have been Navy SEALS.
I was just worried this might be the same RAT nutjob that gave rather the counterfeit "documents". As I recall, 60 Minutes tried to interview that guy, but he had some sort of psychotic episode during the interview. Of course, that didn't stop CBS from running with the phony story.
I highly doubt that he was yanked away faster than 3000 foot per second, the speed of a shock wave and schrapnel from the explosion. If military type explosives were in the mine, it would have been around 5000 fps.
Cute idea and story but absolutely BS.
That was my experience when I was talking to a Korean War veteran (he is a customer who regularly buys produce from me at my produce stand). He was talking to me how he was going to march in a parade for veterans and I asked him how it was over there in Korea during the war (I didn't know any better). He choked up and teared up(he was embarrassed)and told me he had to go. I'll never do that again.
My Dad told me that his brother had the job of stacking the dead bodies of soldiers during WWII. He wouldn't talk about anything either.
No, different person. This one is the author of the book Stolen Valor, an excellent read.
Rathers Burkett was a Bill Burkett, soured former Commander in the Guard.
B.G. Burkett actually served in Viet Nam as a junior officer.
"He gets real quiet if I push for more information."
That I guess is what happens to people who have seen combat, it's not something you talk about, brag about, or discuss.
Good for you. My Dad warned me not to bring up what his brother did in WWII. I didn't.
Well I guess most especially with a woman you love. He wants to spare me the gory details. He's my hero anyway. He went, that's what counts.
Amen. ;)
You can make a blanket statement like that but it would be wrong. I served two tours in Vietnam as an Army helicopter pilot and I'll tell you anything I know and can remember. Granted, I've surely suppressed many details about some of the more thrilling moments, but it was such a big part of my life that I don't want to 'not talk about it'.
Please don't take this in a personal way but your fiance may just not want to talk to you about it. He may talk to other Vietnam Vets.
May you and your guy have an eternity together.
He doesn't want me to know. He protects me from the horrors and inadvertently the thrills, if you will.
My uncle, was regular Army did three tours. Those who have done it, have no need to brag. I am aware that about three times as many guys that served, claimed to have served. Prove it or shut up is my point to them.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.