Vietnam veteran full of life despite nine months of torture (See update in #90)

Lubbock Avalanche-Journal ^ | Saturday, November 11, 2006 | Ray Westbrook

[RaceBannon]

aaah, who cares, he's outed! :)

[MudPuppy]

nobody cares who was first - just that justice was served.

there's more than a few folks that post in both forums.

Semper Fi!

[ansel12]

You posted that we weren't first, that TWS was, I was just asking what time that was.

[sleddogs]

Thanks goes to Criminal Number 18F. I had tried to research some 6-7 years ago and had so many dead ends that I finally dropped it. But Criminal Number 18F gave me some very good leads that led to a situation report that listed all 11 deceased crew members and those names lead me to a treasure trove of information.

[LibWhacker]

Ray Westbrook has been writing stories for 46 years. Karen Brehm, our assistant managing editor for news and features, has been in the business for 32 years, and I've got 29 years at daily newspapers. Ray wrote the story; Karen and I read it. So did others.

Sorry, I think they should all be fired. It never once occurred to these veteran "professionals" that they had to check out the story? They should be fired for that alone. Then, getting to the ludicrous lies themselves, anybody with half a brain should've been suspicious, never mind a whole bunch of professionals.

[potlatch]

Thanks for the ping I.T.

[R. Scott]

It would appear these phonies and liars never heard of the Internet. It’s as ignorant as the criminals who never heard of security cameras.

[duckbutt]

All I can say is "wow"! Such a man, such a Marine, such an American...such a child of God!

Wow...

[duckbutt]

crap...should have read the entire thread before responding...glad you busted this fraud. There is honor in serving at any level...no need to pretend to be a hero or POW to achieve that honor.

Those that serve honor their country and we in turn, honor their service.

[Interesting Times]

Link to new thread for the retraction article:

Veterans Groups Expose Bogus Claims in Story

[zot]

That is a clean response by the newspaper and the editor. I am very glad to see it. I wish more of the media was this straight-forward in setting the record straight.

[devolve]

[potlatch]

And not by a Purple Heart PIN!!

[Ciexyz]

Thanks for that update on your research. Best of luck to you in future endeavors.

[Nigel Brooks]

There is really no definitive database of Vietnam veterans - I think that the MilitaryUSA.com data base is one that was compiled by the VA for Agent Orange claims. It is comprized of names selected by the VA for a study and also from folks who filed with the VA for compensation. I'm a Vietnam Vet - but am not in the data base because I've never filed for compensation. The only reliable way to verify a Veterans status is to file an FOIA with NARA-St Louis and get a copy of the individuals record of assignments.

[Interesting Times]

Thanks.