American Legion Commander's Vietnam Vet Credentials Questioned; Morin Served in N.J.

AP ^ | 12/3/06 | Staff

[ketelone]

Cleland served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War, attaining the rank of Captain. He was awarded the Silver Star and the Bronze Star for valorous action in combat, including during the Battle of Khe Sanh on April 4th, 1968. On April 8, 1968. Captain Cleland was the Battalion Signal Officer for the 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavarly Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division during the Battle of Khe Sanh[1]. During the battle, in which the Battalion was attempting to relieve besieged Marines defending the Khe Sanh Firebase, Cleland was ordered to erect a communications antenna on a nearby mountain top. "On April 8, with a month left in his tour, Cleland was ordered to set up a radio relay station on a nearby hill. A helicopter flew him and two soldiers to the treeless top of Hill 471, east of Khe Sanh. Cleland knew some of the soldiers camped there from Operation Pegasus. He told the pilot he was going to stay awhile. Maybe have a few beers with friends. When the helicopter landed, Cleland jumped out, followed by the two soldiers. They ducked beneath the rotors and turned to watch the liftoff. Then Cleland looked down and saw a grenade. Where'd that come from? He walked toward it, bent down, and crossed the line between before and after."[1] Due to the severity of his injuries, doctors amputated both his legs above the knee and his right forearm.[2]

1. ^ Thompson, Neal. "30 Years of Self-Loathing, and Then, Finally, the Truth." The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel 5 Dec. 1999: 1. Find Articles. 11 Oct. 2006 .
2. ^ "Max Cleland." Contemporary Heroes and Heroines, Book IV. Gale Group, 2000.

[leadpenny]

I didn't get a Purple Heart. Ne'r a scratch. My aircraft got hit a number of times during my two tours. Did a lot of drinking but never hurt anyone. However, I know of a Cpt who shot another Cpt, accidentally while drunk and a CWO who had a leg broken during a drunken fight. Both were evacuated before the end of their tours. They are still Vietnam Veterans. And, it doesn't take away from what any of them may have done before the incidents.

[leadpenny]

Bottom line for me is, this guy has a credibility problem. He'll have to resign. I'm not a member of the American Legion but I wouldn't stand for it if I was.

A little lie (if there is such a thing) kept Pete Dawkins from being a Senator from NJ, possibly. As I remember, his campaign brochure claimed he had two tours in Vietnam. He acually had one. The press found out and he was done.

[leadpenny]

There ya go.

My brother was an Era vet. He received $450 and I received $600 from Michigan in the mid 70s.

[MountainYankee]

There are many who mislead the general public regarding their military service during the Vietnam years. I served 18 months on Okinawa (6/67-12/68)in the military police corps. Every marine that was Viet bound stopped at the "Rock" coming and going. It was also used for R&R. I was involved in inumerable barroom and back alley brawls, several full scale riots, (civilian anti American and civil rights race riots) one in particular the day MLK was killed. Twelve hour shifts seven days a week during Tet. After that, we would get 24 hours off after so many days. I was shot at and missed, sh-t at and hit. Stayed drunk or stoned most of the time. When I came home in 1970 I was refused membership in VFW because I didn't serve in a combat zone. I carried that resentment for 30 years until
the epiphany. This guy never left the states, but at least he served..

[GretchenM]

"Vietnam era veteran" would have been accurate and entirely acceptable.

[joshhiggins]

said Cleland, who lost both legs and an arm during combat in Vietnam

That's accurate, but misleading.

Signed

JoshHiggins, who cut his finger on a poptop during the superbowl.

[Chode]

try and join the VFW by telling them that.

without the beentheredonethat ribbon, ya ain't beentheredonethat.

[gitmogrunt]

Korean War Vets call themselves Korean War Vets even if they did not serve in Korea, but served in the military during the years of the Korean War.

This VietNam Veteran and VietNam Era Veteran distinction is misleading and divisive.

The Cold war was cooking and it definitely got hotter in some places than others.

The units I served in Guantanamo Bay Cuba, afforded me and my buddies the privilege of being shot at, lost buddies in minefields, as well being on the frontline conducting night ambushes, river patrols,helicopter rides day and night and much more etc..etc.

I lost 21 buddies in Nam, I'm willing to match my service in a line company as a grunt rifleman in Cuba in 64',65' and 66', with any REMF from Nam, or anyone else during that Era.

I don't need a parade, a medal, pity,or anything else.

Flames up...

[muawiyah]

Cleland is the kind of guy who would deny that the fellows who died stateside in training for the Viet Nam War lost their lives in its pursuit.

Just another reason to not like Max ~ he has no moral legitimacy.

[taxesareforever]

This is not about combat or non-combat injuries, it's about Vietnam Veteran or Vietnam era Veteran.

No it's not. It is about lying.

[taxesareforever]

He's the one that fragged himself by accident isn't he?

Yep.A true bonafide democrat war veteran.

[leadpenny]

About whether Morin is lying or not, right?

[Lokibob]

You are absloutely correct, and I am dead wrong on what I said. My deepest apologies!!! Shows how memory goes with age.

[muawiyah]

We were out on a hillside in West Germany overlooking a road in nearby Czechoslovakia where the Russian and Polish armies were rushing in their suppression of the "Czech Spring".

We all agreed that we wouldn't get any recognition for being there under REAL guns and at intensely high risk from authentic soldiers in a modern army equipped with atom bombs ~ being a "trip wire" is tough duty, but somebody's got to do it, and I know what I did even if it doesn't matter to anyone else on Earth.

.

[taxesareforever]

About whether Morin is lying and the lie in the article that Cleland was injured in combat.

[BerryDingle]

The real answer is: Charlie Rangell should apologize.

[leadpenny]

I know the Cleland thing has been hashed over forever, here and other places, but this article is about the Cdr of a National Veterans oranization lying or not - - I thought.

[Buddy B]

it's about Vietnam Veteran or Vietnam era Veteran.

Shall we say that a Vietnam Veteran is not a Vietnam era Veteran?

[muawiyah]

When Cleland's name is brought up the thread becomes about Cleland.