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Philip Allen Keith: Navy Veteran and Author

By Paul McInerny
Revised: May 2016

* See also:
Philip A. Keith: Military Phony? (5/30/2014) &
Stolen Valor Act of 2013: The Paper Tiger (5/31/2015)

I would like to preface this entry by extending an open invitation to Mr. Philip Allen Keith or any of his supporters to provide verifiable, tangible evidence to dispute or to explain any of the following conclusions. The evidence should be in the form of official military records.

Allegation: Mr. Keith,author of military books, embellished and lied about his military record to reflect he was a wounded combat veteran with medals of valor in order to give the appearance of someone combat veterans could relate to and share their stories. Mr. Keith would profit from his impressive military career in the form of book sales, appearances at local schools, libraries and radio shows to promote himself and his books.

As some of you know, my first interaction with Mr. Keith concerned a passage in the book, Fire Base Illingworth. Subsequently, a commentator in the book review section of Amazon.com suggested a Google search of Mr. Keith and indicated Mr. Keith was less than truthful about his military record. A Google search resulted in Mr. Keith’s name posted in the web site, “This Ain’t Hell,” with many commentators questioning Mr. Keith’s military record.

The many biographies on the Internet associated with books written by Mr. Keith contained various and numerous contradictions.

As a retired law enforcement officer, I decided to use my investigative experience to determine how much of what Mr. Keith said was true, false or an exaggeration.

In addition to Mr. Keith’s military record, there are newspaper articles circa 1984, when Mr. Keith, while serving in the Navy Reserve, held a civilian job with LaJolla Securities. In late October 1984, Mr. Keith was arrested and booked for one count of Grand Theft.

According to a newspaper account, Mr. Keith subsequently signed a confession of judgment, paid back the money, and pleaded guilty to a charge of grand theft. In June 1985 he was sentenced to 120 days in a county work furlough program, which allowed him freedom during the day to work. He was confined at night in county custody.

Another newspaper article reported Mr. Keith’s sentence included “restitution of over $9,000 to La Jolla Securities, a $2,000 fine, performance of 250 hours of volunteer work service and five years probation.”

He told close family members, “... the district attorney's investigation into his activities was "a lie," and that he was working on a “secret government project.”

Was this the beginning of a series of embellishments?

The following is a very brief synopsis of a lengthy report that took approximately 5 months to complete:


Mr. Keith Claimed to Have Been a Naval Aviator & Pilot:
The National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) Military records indicate Mr. Keith began flight school, but finished as a Naval Flight Officer. Despite the fact Mr. Keith identifies himself as a Navy Aviator, there are no records of Mr. Keith having ever earned Aviator wings. Copies of records available.

Mr. Keith Claimed He Retired from the Navy as a Captain (O6):
This claim is supported by a DD-214 provided by the VA Medical Center, however, Mr. Keith’s official military records from The National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) Military records indicate he was discharged, not retired at the rank of Commander, not Captain - a direct contradiction from the DD-214 from the VA Medical Center.

Mr. Keith’s Harvard University biography states his “retirement from the Navy was delayed when Desert Storm erupted during which he later earned the Bronze Star Medal for his actions in Desert One.”
Military records from the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) clearly indicate Mr. Keith was discharged from the Navy Reserves in 1986. Mr. Keith was no longer in the Navy when Desert Storm occurred in 1991, therefore his “retirement” from the Navy could not have been “delayed.” There are no records on file to indicate Mr. Keith had been recalled from retirement or that he served during Desert Storm/Desert One.

A records check with the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) and the Navy Awards Section showed no record of the Bronze Star awarded to Mr. Keith. Copies of records available.

Mr. Keith has been photographed wearing the Navy Cross:
Mr. Keith has been photographed in a Navy uniform wearing the insignia of Captain 0-6 and numerous medals, including what appears to be the Navy Cross (our nations second highest Medal of Valor). A check with the Navy Awards Section and the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) show no record of Mr. Keith having earned the rank of Captain or the Navy Cross. The award of our nations second highest Medal of Valor would be well documented, with citations describing the action, location, date and time of occurrence. There are no such records for Mr. Keith regarding the Navy Cross.

Mr. Keith Claimed He Was Awarded the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross (2), Purple Heart (3), Air Medal for Gallantry, Bronze Star:
Mr. Keith had the VA Medical Center provide a copy of his DD-214, which lists the above medals and his rank as Captain (Sel) 06. A check with the Navy Awards Section and the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) revealed no record of Mr. Keith having earned any of the listed awards, with the exception of the Air Medal.

Mr. Keith was awarded the Air Medal, but the word “Gallantry” does not appear anywhere on the citation.

Again, an award for the Silver Star, our nations third highest Medal of Valor would be well documented. There are no records for Mr. Keith regarding the Silver Star.

It should be noted the Navy Awards section was asked a second time to research Mr. Keith’s record for a possible second DD-214 assigned to Mr. Keith. Mr. Keith’s name, DOB and SSN were provided. The search result revealed no record of Mr. Keith having earned the above awards and no additional DD-214.

Mr. Keith Claimed He Was Awarded Three (3) Purple Heart(s) – Mr. Keith published a story detailing how he earned two of his Purple Hearts:

Purple Heart #1: Mr. Keith claimed he piloted a Phantom F4 aircraft that was hit by a S.A.M. during a mission over Hanoi in 1972.
Mr. Keith described how he was the pilot and although badly wounded and bleeding, was able to land on a carrier after a missile hit his aircraft. He awoke three (3) days later on a hospital ship in the South China Sea.

According to military records, Mr. Keith was never a Navy Aviator, so it is unlikely that he flew a Phantom F4 - especially alone - over the skies of Hanoi. The Phantom F4 carried a two-person crew: the pilot and the Radar Intercept Officer (R.I.O). Mr. Keith never mentioned another person in the aircraft and clearly insinuates he was the pilot: “How I got that blasted plane back on the flight deck I'll never know.”

The hospital ship he claimed to have been on in 1972 was decommissioned in 1971

Despite requests, Mr. Keith has never provided the exact date he was shot down or the name of the carrier he crash-landed upon. This would be a significant event in one's military career and as such it would have been well documented. There are no military records of this incident to support Mr. Keith's assertion that:
1. he was a Navy Aviator,
2. he piloted an F4 Phantom over Hanoi in 1972
3. his aircraft was hit by a S.A.M.
4. he was awarded a Purple Heart for the incident

Purple Heart #2: In 1974, Mr. Keith was shot while on patrol with a Marine unit:
Mr. Keith described how he, a Navy Aviator, was assigned to MACV and with a Marine unit. While out on patrol in Vietnam, he and the Marines were involved in a firefight and Mr. Keith was struck with an AK-47 round in the chest that exited his back.

MACV was disbanded in 1973 and Mr. Keith was discharged from active duty in the Navy in 1973.

In contradiction to his story, a medical summary report from the VA Medical Center (provided by Mr. Keith) states Keith was struck by a round and suffered “bruising,” a significant contradiction from being struck by an AK-47 round that entered his chest and exited his back.

There are no military records to confirm Mr. Keith was the recipient of the Purple Heart or of this alleged incident.

Mr. Keith Claimed to Have Flown Off the Carrier, USS Constellation:
A search of records for the USS Constellation did not locate a Philip Allen Keith aboard the carrier as a fighter pilot or in any other capacity. This was determined by exhaustive review of the ships Cruise Books, which lists the personnel assigned to the carrier during a particular year. In fact, the name of Philip Keith cannot be located anywhere for the period 1969-1972.

Mr. Keith claimed degrees from various universities. In some biographies, he states he did Masters “work”: True & False
Confirmed by the National Student Clearing House. Copies of records available.

A records check with Harvard University confirmed Mr. Keith earned his undergraduate degree.

A records check with Long Island University indicated he attended the university from 9/1/2001 to 6/16/2003, but never earned a degree.

A records check with UC Berkeley revealed no record of Mr. Keith having ever attended the university.

Mr. Keith attended San Jose State University, where he studied Cybernetic System from 9/4/1975 to 6/1/1977, but did not earn a degree.

Mr. Keith’s DD-214 provided by the VA Medical Center: Highly Suspect/Questionable
When asked for documentation of his military service, Mr. Keith had the VA Medical Center (not the National Personnel Records Center) send a copy of his DD-214. An Assistant Director with National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) compared the VA Medical DD-214 with the official DD-214 on file with the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC). While operating within the parameters of extreme confidentiality, the Assistant Director indicated the VA Medical DD-214 and the official one on file with National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) contained serious discrepancies.

Suspect Information Contained in the VA Medical DD-214:
• Retired from Navy
• Rank: Captain (Sel) 06 * *
• Awards as they appear: SS, DFC(2), BS(w/o V), AM(2 S/F, 1 INDIV.) PH(3), MSM, NCM(3), NAM, PUC, NUC(2), NDSM, Viet SM, AFEM(Korea), EXP Rifle, EXP Pistol, Viet CAM, Viet PUC

* Please note - among the many awards listed to Mr. Keith is the Silver Star, our nations 3rd highest Medal of Valor.

** When asked what Captain (Sel) 06 referred to, Mr. Keith wrote (verbatim):
“A Navy selection board chose me for promotion to Captain (O-6). In order to make it permanent, I would have had to agree to served two more years. I had a lucrative offer in the private sector and I was ready to move on, so I got out instead. I did not don or wear captain’s stripes until I was recalled to active duty in 1990 for Desert One.”

The significant difference and discrepancies between the DD-214 from the VA Medical Center and the official DD-214 on file with the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) suggests:

1.The records at NPRC and the Navy Awards Section, two agencies responsible for official files of military personnel, are in error and missing supporting documents and significant awards, resulting in a monumental disservice of epic proportions to Mr. Keith, or
2.The DD-214 provided by the VA Medical Center is a doctored, fraudulent document

As of May 2016, I have received no documentation from Mr. Keith to support or dispute any of the above information.

Thank you for taking the time to read this entry. As always, I welcome feedback of any type. I would appreciate hearing from Mr. Keith, friends, colleagues or associates of Mr. Keith and especially from military veterans.

*. *  * *

Epilogue - Update:  

Real life Walter Mitty, Philip A. Keith, passed away March 10, 2021.  Even in death, his stories followed him one last time:

Philip A. Keith

August 24, 1946 ~ March 10, 2021 (age 74)

Obituary & Services

Tribute Wall

Obituary

http://info@usawarriorstories.com Philip A. Keith, a well-known writer and newspaper columnist, died on March 10 at Southampton Hospital. The resident of Southampton was 74.

Born on August 24, 1946 in Springfield, Massachusetts, Mr. Keith attended school there and then at Harvard University, where he studied history. Having enlisted in the ROTC program at the university, upon graduation in 1968 he was commissioned as an ensign in the U.S. Navy. Mr. Keith’s service to his country included three tours of duty in Vietnam. During the first tour he was a naval aviator, flying Phantom F-4s. During one mission he survived being shot down, an action for which Mr. Keith earned his first Purple Heart. His second tour of duty resulted in a second Purple Heart after being wounded during in-country combat. His third tour in Vietnam involved being an intelligence officer and flag secretary to Admiral John McCain Jr., who was commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet. Mr. Keith served a total of 25 years in the military, including the Merchant Marine and Coast Guard, and retired with the rank of captain. In addition to the Purple Hearts, Mr. Keith was awarded the Air Medal for Gallantry, Presidential Unit Citation, and the Navy Commendation Medal.

In civilian life, Mr. Keith earned Master’s Degrees from Long Island University and the Naval War College. He undertook a business career, which included working for two Fortune 500 firms and doing marketing consulting. He also had a long teaching career with positions as assistant professor of business at LIU and an adjunct instructor at the Rhode Island School of Design.

In more recent years, with a long-held desire to write having previously been untapped, Mr. Keith devoted himself to writing novels. His breakthrough, however, was as a nonfiction author, with the publication by St. Martin’s Press in 2012 of Blackhorse Riders. This true story of an Army regiment ambushed by enemy forces in Vietnam in 1970 won the USA Book News for Best Military Non-Fiction Award, was a finalist for the Colby Award, and earned the silver medal from Military Writers Society of America.

“Phil’s book was about a heroic group of men who served in Vietnam but it wasn’t until later on in the publishing process that I discovered more about Phil’s heroics in that same war,” recalled Marc Resnick, executive editor and vice-president at St. Martin’s Press. “He was both humble and professional, hard-working and funny, and a pleasure to work with.”

A follow-up Vietnam book, Fire Base Illingworth, released by St. Martin’s Press in 2013, was a Gold Medal winner from MWSA. Returning to the sea, in a way, Stay the Rising Sun, an account of the sinking of the USS Lexington during the Battle of the Coral Sea in World War II, was published in 2015 to much acclaim. Mr. Keith’s recent projects include All Blood Runs Red, about the first African-American fighter pilot, published by Hanover Square Press in 2018, which earned the MWSA gold medal, and the forthcoming To the Uttermost Ends of the Earth, a narrative of the battle between in USS Kearsarge and CSS Alabama in June 1864.

“I still remember my first meeting with Phil to discuss his book All Blood Runs Red,” said Peter Joseph, editorial director at Hanover Square Press. “You could see the excitement of a born storyteller, eager to share with readers something new and original that they hadn’t known before.”

Local readers will recognize Mr. Keith for his newspaper work, especially his column, “Mostly Right,” which appeared in editions of the Press News Group. It generated many letters to the editor over the years and earned first place in Opinion Writing from the New York Press Association. When out from behind the keyboard, Mr. Keith was a longtime member of the Southampton Town Planning Board. He was a proud member of VFW Post 5350, American Legion Post 924, the Disabled American Veterans, and Vietnam Veterans of America.

Mr. Keith had many friends in the area, some of whom gathered once a month, usually at the writers hangout Bobby Van’s in Bridgehampton, to tell tall tales and a few true ones. Dubbed “Nights of the Round Table,” the gathering was set to resume soon. Mr. Keith was generous with his support and encouragement of other writers, particularly those with similar military backgrounds.

“It took me 50 years to find the right time, courage, and motivation to do it,” said George Motz of Quogue about his own book. “And it took the initial patience of a close friend, Sir Harold Evans, combined with Phil who worked wonders to get the project over the finish line. Safe to say, it would still be in draft form had Phil not been kind enough to spend his valuable time simultaneously critiquing and encouraging me. His mantra was, ‘Tell your story in your own voice. That's what people want to hear.’"

Mr. Motz added: “As is so often the case with veterans, especially Vietnam War veterans, Phil never went into much detail about his time in 'Nam, although he was certainly proud to have served our country and his service record speaks for itself. I loved the man and will miss his friendship 'til the end of my days.”

Mr. Keith is survived by a son, Pierce, a graduate of Westhampton Beach High School who is now a student at Northeastern University, triplet daughters, Jennifer, Adria, and Tracy; and his longtime partner, Laura Lyons, who he often referred to as his “Muse.”

A funeral with military honors will be held at the Calverton National Cemetery on Tuesday, March 23, at 10.30 a.m.

In lieu of flowers a donation can be made in Philip's honor to USA Warrior Stories  

http://info@usawarriorstories.com

Life Lesson for Today (and me)

A psychologist walked around a room while teaching stress management to an audience. As she raised a glass of water, everyone expected they'd be asked the "half empty or half full" question. Instead, with a smile on her face, she inquired: "How heavy is this glass of water?"

Answers called out ranged from 8 oz. to 20 oz.

She replied, "The absolute weight doesn't matter. It depends on how long I hold it. If I hold it for a minute, it's not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I'll have an ache in my arm. If I hold it for a day, my arm will feel numb and paralyzed. In each case, the weight of the glass doesn't change, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes."

She continued, "The stresses and worries in life are like that glass of water. Think about them for a while and nothing happens. Think about them a bit longer and they begin to hurt. And if you think about them all day long, you will feel paralyzed – incapable of doing anything."

Remember to put the glass down.

(Courtesy of Jimmy Harmon)

Stolen Valor Act of 2013: The Paper Tiger

“Harrumph!”
Stolen Valor Act of 2013: The Paper Tiger
By Paul D. McInerny

*See also:
Still At It: Philip A. Keith (November 2019)
Philip Allen Keith: Navy Veteran and Author (11/16/2015)
Philip A. Keith: Military Phony? (5/30/2014)

Introduction
The other day, I listened to a recorded interview with a veteran whom I know (based on available documentation) has lied about his military service. I even found a 2015 Memorial Day photograph where he was wearing the insignia of a rank he never earned. I immediately thought of the Stolen Valor law on the books and my perception of the general apathy and indifference from individuals and organizations concerning Stolen Valor. It all reminded me of a scene from the Mel Brooks movie, Blazing Saddles.

In the scene, the governor (Mel Brooks) is in a room full of men to discuss a plan of action and declares, “We must do something about this immediately, immediately, immediately!” The others in the room erupt with, “Harrumph! Harrumph! Harrumph! Harrumph! Harrumph!” an indication of support for the governor and agreement that "we must do something," but without substance.

A Google search of “Stolen Valor,” or “military phonies,” results in endless pages of articles and stories of people who claimed to be a veteran, or, are veterans but claimed to have served in combat or special units and earned a multitude of medals such as the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Silver Star, Navy Cross and even the Medal of Honor.

The list of military phonies is exhaustive and continues to grow. In 2005, FBI Special Agent Thomas Cottone, Jr. told the Wall Street Journal that for every actual Navy Seal today, there are at least 300 imposters (source: Fake War Stories, by Anne Morse, 2005).

On July 23, 2012, the Stars and Stripes reported President Obama announced the Defense Department will have a “stolen valor website” (valor.defense.org) designed to help people determine whether or not someone lied about earning military medals. President Obama made the announcement in his speech before the VFW National Convention in Reno, Nevada.

The problem was so prevalent that powerful and influential military associations such as the Veteran’s of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, politicians and other veteran organizations threw their collective weight behind the push to have the Stolen Valor law passed.

The Law
The Stolen Valor Act of 2013 was passed by 113th United States Congress and signed into law by President Obama on June 3, 2013. The Stolen Valor Act made it a crime for anyone to fraudulently claim they received military decorations or have served in the military. A key element to the law was the violator had the intention of “obtaining money, property, or other tangible benefit from convincing someone” they earned or were awarded the decoration or medal.

With the passage of law addressing military phonies combined with instant information via the Internet, one would think there would be reluctance on the part of an individual to falsely claim they served or earned medals they did not deserve. It would seem the consequences of getting caught would be swift and severe.

After the passage of the Stolen Valor Act of 2013, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) issued a statement that said, “We want all con artists to pay a very severe penalty — and a very public price — for daring to steal the valor of those too few who survived and of the great many who did not.”

Legion Commander James E. Koutz praised the overwhelming, bipartisan vote. "The American Legion is impressed with Congress today," he said. "Those who deliberately lie about military service, wear medals they did not earn or make claims of combat heroism they did not achieve are more than just liars. They are perpetrators of the worst kind of fraud. Their lies are an insult to all who have truly stood in harm’s way and earned their decorations.” (Source: American Legion, June 4, 2013).

John Stovall, director of national security and foreign relations for The American Legion said the American Legion supported the Stolen Valor Act of 2013, "… not to infringe on anyone's First Amendment rights but to protect the reputation and meaning of the decorations."

Rep. Paul Cook, R-California, a retired Marine colonel, added the Stolen Valor Act of 2013, "…ensures that we protect and honor veterans and the sacrifices they've made.”

Despite the passage of a law against fraudulent military claims, Internet sites are still ripe with new stories of stolen valor or exaggerated military service. You Tube hosts many video’s documenting the perpetrators, providing valuable evidence for prosecutors. The federal prosecutors must be racking up an impressive conviction rate while the con artists pay a “very severe penalty.” Or are they?

Investigating a military phony is time consuming, but one would imagine the organizations behind the passage of the Stolen Valor Act would have a vested interest in assisting, encouraging or demanding the investigation and prosecution of individuals falsely claiming awards they did not earn. It would be prudent to turn to these organizations for assistance or guidance.

On June 16, 2014, an inquiry was made to the headquarters of the American Legion, Internal Affairs and asked what the American Legion’s position was on Stolen Valor. The headquarters for the Veterans of Foreign Wars was also contacted and asked the VFW's official stance on Stolen Valor and the extent of their involvement in pursuing such cases. Both organizations said they leave such matters to the individual posts to investigate to avoid the appearance of influence from headquarters.

“Harrumph!”

Sam Wright of the Navy Reserve Association (NRA), author of an article on Stolen Valor (Law Review 12121, December 2012 - Supreme Court Strikes Down Stolen Valor Act, by Captain Samuel F. Wright, JAGC, USN (Ret.) and Rachel M. Kelly) was asked what particular agency or individual would prosecute for violations of the Stolen Valor Act. Mr. Wright suggested contacting Kyndra Rotunda, a lawyer, former officer in the U.S. Army JAG Corps, veteran’s advocate, author, and law professor at the Chapman University School of Law. Because of her past experience, Wright thought Rotunda would be interested in a specific Stolen Valor case. Ms. Rotunda’s response was a curt, “Thank you for the information – although we typically don’t handle these sort of matters.” No referrals, no suggestions, no guidance; nothing.

“Harrumph!”

In regards to a specific case of Stolen Valor, Sam Wright also suggested the Executive Director of Association of United States Navy (AUSN) Vice Admiral John Totushek, USN (Ret.), “would be concerned about a member of his association claiming medals he has not received, especially in a directory published for the association.” So concerned was VADM Totushek, he did not even acknowledge or respond to inquiry emails.

“Harrumph!”

Remember the “stolen valor website” by the Department of Defense President Obama said would help people determine whether or not an individual earned medals? The following is a portion of the disclaimer on the DoD web site:

The sole purpose of the information provided on this website is to publicly recognize those U.S. military members who are recipients of a Medal of Honor, Service Cross, or Silver Star.

Specifically, the information made available on this website should not be used to confirm whether or not an individual was awarded the subject awards for any purpose. DoD disclaims any liability arising from reliance on the information on this website. 


“Harrumph!”

An initial investigation into fraud or Stolen Valor usually begins with an examination of the individual’s official military records. When an individual leaves the service, he or she receives a government document called a DD-214, a brief synopsis of their military service. Military records obtained via the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) are revealing, but incomplete. The inquiries do not result in an actual copy of the individual’s DD-214, but provide basic information, which offers a glimpse of their record.

An actual copy of the veterans personal DD-214 would be a compelling and definitive document to exonerate the veteran or confirm allegations of lying or embellishment, but an individual’s DD-214 is deemed a confidential document and only the veteran or family can request a copy. 3rd party requests must have the veterans written permission. Few individuals suspected of embellishing their military service would grant permission for someone to view the official copy of the DD-214.

And so it appears that the Stolen Valor Act is nothing more than a sanctimonious “harrumph” of righteous indignation.

The Problem
With so little teeth behind the law and individuals and organizations that supported the Stolen Valor Act displaying disappointing apathy, is it no surprise imposters or embellishers run rampant. Certainly not every military imposter or veteran who embellishes his or her career is obtaining money, property, or other tangible benefit(s) from convincing someone they earned or were awarded the decoration or medal. Some are emotionally or intellectually disturbed individuals. Others just want to be seen as something they never were. Military imposters are everywhere. They are every day people, politicians, would-be politicians and even actors.

Some examples of individuals who lied about their military service:
1. Walter Williams – Williams died in 1959 and received a funeral courtesy of the City of Houston, Texas. An estimated 100,000 people lined the streets to salute America’s last living Civil War veteran. Research eventually proved that Williams was only 5-years-old when the Civil War began (source: Fake War Stories, by Anne Morse, 2005).
2. Tom Mix – The silent screen star claimed to have charged up San Juan Hill with Teddy Roosevelt, when in fact he never saw combat and military records listed him as a deserter (source: Fake War Stories, by Anne Morse, 2005).
3. Robert Sorensen – Proudly stated, “When my country called me into service, I fought in Vietnam.” Sorensen never fought in Vietnam, but argued because the news media brought the war to everyone’s living room via television he defiantly said, “So in a sense I was there.”
4. Wes Cooley – Cooley was elected to Congress in 1994 and claimed military service in Korea as a member of the Army Special Forces, but his missions were secret and all his military records had been destroyed in a fire. He was later convicted for lying about his military service.
5. Bruce Caputo – Claimed to have been drafted into the Army during the Vietnam War, but had actually escaped the draft by working for the Pentagon as a civilian analyst.
6. Mark Kirk – Kirk was actually a decorated veteran, but claimed he had been the “Navy’s Intelligence Officer of the Year” when the honor was actually bestowed upon his unit.
7. Brian Dennehy – Dennehy served in the US Marine Corps, but claimed to be a Vietnam veteran who served a 5-year tour, which was not true.
8. Hillary Clinton – While she never claimed to have served in the military, she did claim to have come under sniper fire after landing in Bosnia and had to run for safety with her head down. Videotape of her arrival shows absolutely no hostile military activity.

More recently, news anchor Brian Williams claimed to have been shot down in a helicopter while in Afghanistan.

As mentioned at the beginning of the article, a key element to the Stolen Valor Act of 2013 is the violator had the intention of “obtaining money, property, or other tangible benefit from convincing someone” they earned or were awarded the decoration or medal.

Let us look at a hypothetical situation. If an author wanted to write stories about military combat operations, the author must conduct research on the subject matter. The author would need to interview people who were there, but some combat veterans are reluctant to talk to people who haven’t been in combat.

In the article, Vietnam Veterans Readjustment Problems, The Etiology of Combat-Related Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders, Jim Goodwin, Psy.D discussed the problems many Vietnam combat veterans faced when they returned to the United States. Vietnam combat veterans were sometimes reluctant to discuss their experiences with family, friends or strangers. They harbored a “deep mistrust” or suffered from Survivors Guilt.

“When asked how they are now dealing with the deaths of their buddies in Vietnam, they invariable answer that they are not. They feel depressed; “How can I tell my wife, she’d never understand?” they ask. “How can anyone who hasn’t been there understand?” (Howard, 1975).”

Paul Allen, a wounded combat veteran and author (www.warriorscodeofhonor.com) wrote, The Warrior’s Code of Honor. In one line, he wrote;

“You never speak of your world. Those who have seen combat do not talk about it. Those who talk about it have not seen combat.”

So, if an author who had never experienced combat wanted to write about a specific battle that occurred during a war, he or she already faced a daunting obstacle when it came time to interview witnesses and/or participants. It would be difficult and in some cases impossible to get the veteran to confide and share their combat experience. The author would have to establish credibility and trust with the combat veterans to be interviewed.

If the author were a veteran who had seen the horrors of combat and wounded not once, not twice, but three times during tours in Vietnam, it would add credibility to his/her background. The icing on the cake would be a chest full of medals to show the author was a combat warrior - a veteran’s veteran - and could establish Espirit de Corps, or solidarity with combat veterans. The author would understand – he/she “was there.”

Former Republican U.S. Rep. Chris Shays remarked, "When you're with the veterans, you want to link up with them," Shays said. "You want them to know you felt their pain" (Source: Army Times, May 23, 2010).

The fraudulent military veteran author writes the book, makes the money and the veteran’s story gets told. In other words, the author receives “money, property, or other tangible benefit” by lying about his/her military record, thereby convincing the combat veteran he/she has “felt their pain.”

Why They Do It
The reasons for lying or embellishing a military stint are as varied as the background of the individual. "They all do it for the prestige," said retired FBI agent Thomas Cottone, who used to investigate military impostors for the agency. "They all want to be recognized. They need that ego boost" (Source: Huffington Post, May 23, 2010).

The bottom line is they do it because they can.

In her October 2014 blog article, Uncommon Sense, Denise Williams wrote, “Embellishers are the most pernicious sort. They count on the fact that most civilians know next to nothing about military service.”

The phonies will have an answer or excuse for the accusations. For example, they would love to show you proof of service, but their assignment and unit were classified as “Top Secret,” therefore, there is no proof of their heroics. Some will say the military lost their records. Still others will claim their records are “sealed.” Others will simply answer they stand by their military record, yet provide no tangible proof which would exonerate them of the accusations.

Some are accomplished liars. They’ve had years of practice and enjoy the challenge of winning people over. They are good at what they do. Even when presented with evidence of lies or deception, friends of the imposter are so convinced of his/her authenticity, they will make excuses for the accused or dismiss the accusations as character assassination. The military imposter or embellisher feeds on this unfaltering friendship and loves the audience and the attention. As Agent Cottone said, “They need that ego boost.”

But sometimes, they get more than just an ego boost. Many commercial establishments are anxious to show their support for members of the armed forces. Some offer military discounts year round, while others offer special discounts on Veteran’s Day. Military.com has a list of restaurants, travel and recreational and other retailer offerings for Veteran’s Day 2014. The list includes Applebee’s, Bakers Square, BJ’s Restaurant, Black Angus, Boston Market, California Pizza Kitchen and many, many more. On the west coast, Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm offer special discounts to military personnel and veterans.

Military phonies rely on the passage of time or the complex and extremely slow investigative bureaucracy to allow the masquerade to continue. The individuals or agencies charged with investigating a military phony are systematically overwhelmed with responsibilities. If you are an investigator with a caseload, you prioritize your cases in order to be effective and to ensure a respectable conviction rate. Someone claiming to be something they are not usually will take a back seat to robbery, embezzlement, assault, etc.

While Internet sites may expose the phony, the only people visiting the sites are those who find the actions of the phonies reprehensible. In reality, there is no “severe penalty” or “very public price” to pay for the vast majority of military imposters. For most imposter, liars or embellishers there simply aren’t any negative consequences for their known behavior.

There are, of course, exceptions. In November 2014, one military imposter was video taped at the Oxford Valley Mall and made the evening news. So far, the video has over 3, 808, 897 views on You Tube.

Dan Lamonthe of the Washington Post reported the video was first posted by the Guardian of Valor website, which has a “Hall of Shame” for those caught faking. Army Staff Sgt. Anthony Anderson, an infantryman and website administrator, said he thinks the clip went viral because civilians don’t understand why faking military service is looked at so negatively by the troops and veterans.

The tape caught the attention of New Jersey Assemblyman Vince Mazzeo, who pushed to have NJ S2704 introduced. The bill is a New Jersey version of the Stolen Valor Act of 2013. Unfortunately, laws are nothing more than a “Harrumph!” if they are not enforced. Who or what agency in New Jersey will be tasked with the responsibility of investigating and prosecuting individuals suspected of Stolen Valor?

The one factor, which most favors the military imposter, is apathy. The general public just doesn’t care if someone dons a military uniform to claim heroics or make money, but what is more disappointing is the lack of an exuberant response from military organizations. Where is the support and influence from the VA Office of Inspector General, NCIS, Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Department of Defense, the VFW, the American Legion, The Order of the Purple Heart, National Military and Veterans Alliance, Navy Reserve Association, The Military Coalition, Marine Corps Association, CID Agents Association and branches of service so often impersonated; Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force.

There are many, many more military organizations and associations. One can’t help but wonder what type of impact the combined influence of these organizations could have on serious investigations and prosecution of military imposters and embellishers. Perhaps then and only then will the more prolific fake warrior be made to pay a “very severe and very public price.”

Solutions
As if we don’t have enough government agencies, perhaps it is time for yet another. A unit comprised of attorneys and investigators who sole function is to investigate and prosecute individuals who meet the elements for the crime of Stolen Valor. Volunteers who are retired and experienced in criminal investigations could supplement the investigative unit. Investigative units for the various military branches could also assist.

The Department of Defense DoD or some other government entity could maintain a list of military imposters available to the public and accessible through the Internet. There are numerous Internet organizations (POW Network, Home of Heroes, Professional Soldiers “Hall of Shame, etc) that could assist the DoD in the implementation and documentation of such individuals.

Whatever the solution, one thing is for sure. Military phonies have always existed and will continue to exist. What we decide to do with the more prolific imposters will be a reflection or indication of our commitment to the real veterans, the honest veterans and the deserving veterans. It will be a statement by a thankful community that the medals bestowed upon an individual actually mean something and are not for undeserving people to wear as costume jewelry for financial benefits.

Just Remembering

Roger J. McInerny, Jr.
Killed in the battle of Fire Base Illingworth, April 1, 1970.
Vietnam

Motorcycle Riders

Single Rider Studies
By Mike Dalgaard
Editor, NWQT
Quick Throttle Magazine

Introduction: I was at the Harley-Davidson dealership for my 20,000 mile service and picked up the March edition of Quick Throttle magazine. There was an interesting article by Mike Dalgaard regarding single rider accidents and causes. As motorcycle riders, we tend to believe the primary collision factor has been a vehicle making a left turn in front of us. Studies by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tell a different story – Paul McInerny.

There is a growing and disturbing trend - single vehicle (motorcycle) accidents and fatalities. It is a fact that over the past 4-5 years that single vehicle accidents, injuries and fatalities first caught up with, then surpassed multiple vehicle (motorcycle/vehicle) accidents.

New data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that motorcycle fatalities have been rising steadily over the past four years in regards to their percentage of total deaths to where they now account for 14% of all traffic deaths, up from just 8% when the study began. This despite the good news that OVERALL traffic deaths are down for everyone including riders for both 2013 and 2014. The numbers would be even higher if adjusted for miles driven and ridden. That number is obscenely astonishing to me. Drivers are getting safer, riders are not based on this comparative data. Now couple this with a fascinating new study by the Progressive Insurance Company, the Nations largest motorcycle insurer.

First and foremost is the fact that SINGLE vehicle motorcycle only accidents are three and a half times HIGHER than the next closest accident type which is being rear-ended while on your bike. Note that it is not the ubiquitous left turn in front of an on coming motorcycle. Nope, it’s more likely that you’ll be popped in the back by an inattentive driver as you slow in traffic or stop for a light or stop sign. This one even surprised me. I had no idea that rear end collisions were as common as they are. Another tidbit - Saturdays in July are the biggest accident days followed by Sundays and Fridays. June is better than August and December is the safest month of the year.

Here’s another little gem from the survey: Looking at just the claims numbers and types, single rider claims are higher than rear end claims, intersection claims, stolen bike claims and parked bike claims COMBINED! Seriously, that is a staggering statistic and if that doesn’t get your attention nothing will. What is happening here is the “Big 3” of speed, impairment and inattention are coming home to roost. These three or a combination of these three are the root causes of 99% of all single bike accidents. Not drivers texting or talking although we all know that’s gotten worse, not mechanical issues that are so minuscule they are not even listed and not weather although that can play a part when dealing with the big three causes.

The inescapable conclusion is that we have met the enemy and its US! We are indeed our own worst enemy and we are injuring ourselves and killing ourselves at a higher average than ever before. Ponder these facts the next time you swing a leg over your seat. For those of you who think a rest stop should include a few beers or that speed limit signs are only suggestions, or fiddling with your radio or Bluetooth makes sense at 60 MPH, think again.

Meanwhile my take away from this survey along with new data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is that by using inverse logic we can see that for those of us who ride safely, sanely and attentively the roads are safer than ever, as long as we ride responsibly.

Mike Dalgaard
Editor, NW QT

Michael Moore Calls Sniper's "Cowards"

On 1/21/2015, at approximately 10:10am, I borrowed the following from Colonel Jessup and edited it to fit the bill. My apologies and credit to Aaron Sorkin (Writer - A Few Good Men):

Mr. Moore, we live in a world that has walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men and women with guns. Who's gonna do it? You? Our Military veterans have a greater responsibility than you could possibly fathom.

You curse the Military. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what those who serve and have served know. The veterans existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves lives. You don't want the truth because deep down in places you don't talk about at parties in Hollywood, you want them on that wall, you need them on that wall.

Veterans use words like honor, code, loyalty. They use these words as the backbone of a life spent defending something. You use them as a punchline.

Veteran's should not have to explain themselves to a Hollywood elite who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom they provide, and then questions the manner in which they provide it. Many would rather you just said thank you, and went on your way. Otherwise, perhaps you should pick up a weapon, and stand a post.

Either way, many people don't give a damn what you think.