Wannabe SEAL fired in Pennsylvania

Wilkes Barre Times-Leader ^ | April 9, 2002 | Steven A. Morelli

[corsair]

DETAILS

David L. Silbergeld claimed to be a heroic Navy SEAL and had affiliated with an Army Reserve Special Forces unit which awarded him a Silver Star for his Vietnam War exploits.

His citation read in part"...individually and personally led a demoralized ARVN unit, under intense enemy fire, in three charges against superior North Vietnamese troops, overcoming enemy resistance and personally killing, in close hand to hand combat, eleven enemy troops and dispatching a three man mortar squad."

FAKE SEAL: DAVID L. SILBERGELD, FAKE JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING

[Poohbah]

Ping...

[Valin]

What a scumbag.

[Wm Bach]

...in possession of 610 pounds of cocaine...

He probably really meant to say that he was a BARRY Seal.

[Poohbah]

We outed a fake Marine Recon guy here on FR a few months back.

I contacted B.G. Burkett's co-author on Stolen Valor, the definitive study of phony Vietnam vets, and she wasn't surprised to learn that someone was already wanna-being in Afghanistan. There's a couple of fake SEALs who are in trouble with the Navy for BSing the press...

[Poohbah]

You (obscene characterization deleted), I just blew Mountain Dew through my nose! :o)

[Jonah Hex]

WARNING: Don't drink and surf on Free Republic. CompUSA studies indicate a link between snorted Mountain Dew and an increase in new keyboard purchases.

(grin)

[El Sordo]

If I may ask, what brought about the 'outing'?

Did someone cross Sneaky Pete?

[HoustonCurmudgeon]

We outed a fake Marine Recon guy here on FR a few months back.

Any idea about a organization that would help me do this in the Houston area? My neighbor has claimed for years that he is a SEAL but a search of the records shows no one by his last name since the early 50's about the year he was born.

Right now it would be my word against his and start a pi$$ing match, which I don't mind as long as I can prove what I say.

[HoustonCurmudgeon]

WARNING: Don't drink and surf on Free Republic. CompUSA studies indicate a link between snorted Mountain Dew and an increase in new keyboard purchases.

Same problem with Diet Coke ............ sigh ....

[corsair]

Any idea about a organization that would help me do this in the Houston area? My neighbor has claimed for years that he is a SEAL but a search of the records shows no one by his last name since the early 50's about the year he was born.

Contact Steve Waterman. Go to FAKE SEAL: DAVID L. SILBERGELD, FAKE JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING, scroll down.

[El Sordo]

http://www.navyfrogmen.com/phony.html

[Poohbah]

1. Real SEALs are rare.

2. These claims are seldom checked closely.

[El Sordo]

More resources: http://www.nightscribe.com/Military/SEALs/wannabe_seals.htm

[Poohbah]

Someone posted a newspaper story of a Marine Reservist's derring-do in Afghanistan, including being wounded (gunshot). A bunch of FReepers hoisted the "Bravo Sierra" flags, because the story was too over the top, and they started checking the reservist out. Don't know if sneakypete was one of them.

Sneaky, were you in on this one?

[corsair]

I don't know why they do it. Why did Dr. Joseph Ellis, a respected historian and Pulitzer Prize winning author do it? Why did Ellis twist the DNA evidence and try to help Bill Clinton by confirming that Thomas Jefferson had fathered a slave? As far as I know, Joseph Ellis is no equal to David Silbergeld cocaine felon, but they sure have something in common. Read the comments I collected on Joseph Ellis for some insights. Joe Ellis Quotes: by and about Joseph Ellis

[corsair]

"Ranger tabs and all that stuff, Talk real big, and think they're tough, Scum who brag so all can see, Ain't no man, just a Wannabee." - Charlie Broz in 'The Ballad of the Wannabees' a parody of the Ballad of the Green Berets by Barry Sadler

[El Sordo]

Cool!

[corsair]

If I may ask, what brought about the 'outing'?

As I understand it now, Steven Morelli, a reporter for The Wilkes Barre Times Leader contacted investigators of fake SEALS when doing stories on Silberberg. The legend spun by Silberberg didn't check out and then things began to unravel. One story was published on February 23, 2002, Page 7A, Times Leader, The TEACHER'S CREDENTIALS INVESTIGATED.

Also, maybe somebody saw his photo along with the story in the Wilkes Barre newspaper.