Memories from Assumption: The Assumption Boys Choir & Christmas

Despite my poor academics, all was not lost at Assumption Catholic School, because God blessed me with a creative side.  I discovered I had a plausible gift for art, writing and singing.  I joined the Assumption Boys Choir and sang with them until I graduated from eighth grade and usually received an A or B in the subject of art or singing.

The Assumption Boys Choir was a wonderful experience.  Sister Marius was an enthusiastic music teacher who brought out the best in all of us.  Roger and I both sang in the choir.  He was also an altar boy, but I couldn’t perform the duties because I was prone to nose bleeds when I bent over to pray.

I remember my early years as a soprano and growing into an alto even though I was convinced I should have been a tenor.  It was not unusual for boys in my age group to feign difficulty singing as a soprano or alto.  Only the younger boys were sopranos and some of us wanted to be considered the veterans of the choir, so we tried our best to convince Sister Marius that we should be tenors; men, as it were.  I don’t recall if I ever made tenor, but by golly, I should have because I did my best to sound like a man.

Every Christmas, the Boys Choir would join the Adult Choir to sing at midnight Mass.  This was a family event because Rog and I were in the Boys Choir and Mom was in the Adult Choir.  It was the one time of the year Rog and I were allowed to stay up late.  The church was decorated in bright red and green Christmas colors and adorned with lots and lots of candles.  To the right or left of the altar was a nativity scene, surrounded by fresh cut evergreens whose fragrance filled the church.  For Christmas, the choir traded their black cassocks for red, covered with a white surplice.  When the organist began to play a religious Christmas hymn, we entered the church from the lobby.  As we filed two abreast down the center aisle, we would sing a Christmas hymn.  The Knights of Columbus stood at attention on either side of the isle wearing a feathered hat (chapeau), cape and sword.  The Adult Choir remained in the balcony of the church, along with other musicians.  The musicians consisted of the organist and a horn section of trumpeters.  The smell of evergreens, incense and candles accented the atmosphere. The pageantry was beautiful, wonderful and so exciting, because it was after all, Christmas Eve.

After mass, we would walk out into the cold Minnesota night.  Some nights it seemed as if I could see a zillion stars in the sky.  The cold, crisp night air and absence of any clouds or smog made for an incredibly beautiful sight. I was a seriously devoted Catholic and was absolutely convinced that Jesus was somewhere very near.  It was always so very cold and sometimes there would be a light snow falling to greet us.  If one was fortunate enough to be the first to leave the church, they were greeted with serene silence.  There was a brief suspension of time where one could reflect on the purpose of the evening; to digest the meaning of Christmas and the birth of Jesus.  It was a miniscule capsule of time to feel your soul, but within minutes the rest of the congregation made its way outside and the peacefulness was crushed by the start of automobile engines and people wishing one another a Merry Christmas.

Those were simple times for this young boy, when my belief was absolute and without question.  I talked to God quite often.  I never recalled getting any answers, but I was convinced He heard everything I said.  To this day, I have never experienced the serenity and peacefulness that I always felt when participating in midnight Mass at Christmas.

Memories from Assumption: You Stupid! You Stupid!

I attended Assumption Catholic School in Richfield, MN.  At the time, Assumption taught kindergarten through eighth grade and I began attending school at Assumption in 1^st grade.  I found school difficult and did especially poor in arithmetic and other logic-related studies.

My mind would wander during subjects that held no relevance or interest to me.  Arithmetic was at the top of the list of subjects that did not interest me.  I was so far behind in multiplication and would consistently score a “D” or “F” on any test.  I was embarrassed every time the teacher called on me in class, because I never, ever knew the answer to the question.  I would simply stare back at the teacher until she realized how clueless I was and moved on to another student who knew the answer.

During one particular session (I believe I was in 3^rd grade) I was at the chalkboard with other students trying to solve a multiplication problem.  The other students quickly solved their problems and would return to their seats and then another student would take their turn at the chalkboard.   Student after student came to the chalkboard, completed their problem and returned to their seat, while I continued to just stare at the multiplication problem.   I tried to look as if I were pondering the problem before committing to writing my answer, but in truth, it was as if I were staring at a foreign language.

I have no idea how long I stood in front of my problem, but eventually the teacher began to yell at me and tap the top of my head with her index finger.  I was very embarrassed as she berated me in front of the class.  “You stupid!  You stupid!  Do the problem!” she yelled.  As she continued to yell at me, I became distressed and began to cry.  A thousand thoughts swirled through my mind as she continued to humiliate me.  I wanted to hide, for I knew my classmates were watching the entire episode waiting to see what would happen next.

I glanced to my left and saw the classroom door, which led out into the hallway.  There was my escape!  I convinced myself if I could reach the door and run like the dickens down the hallway, she wouldn’t be quick enough to catch me.  I glanced at the chalkboard and lifted my hand as if to miraculously solve the problem.  The teacher began to walk away from me.  The diversion worked.  Humiliated and angry, I bolted like a trapped animal from the classroom.  Once in the hallway, I turned right and ran with all my might toward the end of the hallway and then took another right to the stairs.  It seemed as if I flew up the stairs and my feet scarcely touched the steps.  When I reached the top of the stairwell, I pushed open the heavy school doors and disappeared out to the parking lot.  As I approached the Rectory, I said a quick prayer for no priests or teachers to be standing around.  I sprinted past the Rectory and headed towards home a few miles away.  Freedom!

As I ran east on 76^th Street, I instinctively hid from every car I saw; convinced it contained a posse from the school sent to hunt me down.  When I arrived home, my mother was surprised to see me.  In tears and gasping for breath, I told her how the teacher had humiliated me in front of the class by tapping my head with her finger and calling me “stupid.”  I swore that I would never go back.  Ever!  Someone from the school soon called to explain what had occurred.  Mom assured them I had arrived home safely and she would personally bring me to school the following day for a meeting with the principal.  True to her word, mom drove me to school the very next day.

Now, Catholic schools were not known for their sympathy or empathy.  The next day, I appeared before the principal, Sister Joseph I believe, in her office.  She was a very stern and strict nun and made it clear from the very beginning what I had done was wrong and I would be required to stand before my class and apologize.  At that point, I decided it would be best to just keep quiet and do what I was told.  My mom and the principal talked about providing extra help for my dismal academics and then mom went home.

It was a very long and lonely walk down the hallway, and Sister Joseph walked very close by my side.  Perhaps she wanted to be within striking distance if I changed my mind and decided to bolt.  When I arrived at my classroom, Sister Joseph stood me in front of my classmates and said I had something to say.  I sobbingly told them how sorry I was for running out of the classroom.  Can you imagine what it was like to have approximately 35 sets of eyes staring at you while you pour your heart out with an apology?  I’m sure I was only in front of the class for a few minutes, but it seemed like hours.

When I finally finished with my apology, I took a few steps toward my desk and wondered how I would make it through the day.  It occurred to me I had just completed one of the most difficult tasks I had ever attempted and thought, well, at least it couldn’t get any worse; I was wrong.

Sister Joseph stopped me from returning to my desk and said I had to apologize to the class next door.  “Why?” I protested through my tears.  She told me when I ran out of the classroom, I slammed our class door with such force it disturbed the students in the other classroom.  I tried to argue against this new charge, but was immediately overruled and silenced.

Sister Joseph paraded me to the class next door and once again, I stood in front of a classroom of students and apologized.  My emotions changed from embarrassment to anger and resentment. It was a devastating event, which would remain with me forever.  It is incredible, funny, or sad to think how seemingly insignificant events (in the overall scheme of things) in one’s life can have such a powerful and lasting impact.

How powerful?  In 2013, I did a search on the Internet and found a classmate of mine, Steve Mullvain.  Steve and I went to school together from 1^st grade through high school.  His journey in life took him to Georgia and I wrote to him to say hello and see how life had treated him.  After the usual polite responses, he then asked if I remembered running out of arithmetic class.  

We were both 61-years-old and he still remembered that incident.

Sometimes

Still At It: Philip A. Keith

A few days before, during and after Veteran's Day 2019, I Googled Philip A. Keith to see if he appeared at any Veteran's Day events as guest speaker.  I stumbled upon a site I don't believe I had visited before and found a video dated May 19, 2019 where Mr. Keith shares his story with the public.

Those of you who are familiar with my research concerning Mr. Keith, know of his propensity for embellishment and lies regarding his time in the United States Navy.  In this video presentation, he appears to still be at it.

http://usawarriorstories.org/watch/philip-keith

Epilogue:  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

Where Were You on 9/11

September 11, 2001, was the day the World Trade Center Towers in New York were destroyed by fanatical, Islamic extremists who commandeered commercial jet liners and intentionally flew them into the Twin Towers.  Both towers eventually collapsed, killing thousands of people and literally stopping the world, if only for a moment.  

The attack was well planned, as another jet liner crashed into the Pentagon and a fourth jetliner, United Flight 93 crashed into an empty field in Pennsylvania.  The passengers on United Flight 93 attempted to regain control of the jet from the terrorists and the jet crashed before reaching its target, which experts surmised was the White House.

I was familiar with the World Trade Center because brother Joe had worked there in 1993, when Islamic extremists had detonated a car bomb in the underground parking structure. I seem to recall he was in one of the upper floors, perhaps the 60th or something similar. At any rate, when I talked to him after the bombing, he said everyone was told to evacuate, but he really did not know what was going on until he exited the ground floor and saw the news media.

In 2001, I was assigned to the Traffic Unit with the Garden Grove Police Department. I was supervisor of the unit and working day shift. Officers assigned to the Traffic Unit were allowed to take their motorcycles home with them and I had just fired up my Kawasaki KZ1000 and headed east on Pitcairn Street from my house in the City of Cypress. It was September 11th, approximately 7:00am and I headed over to Patton Elementary School to monitor a stop sign near a crosswalk for the kids. It was my morning routine at the start of my shift and I rode to the school and parked my motorcycle along the north curb line of Santa Rita Avenue, just east of Wild Goose Street.

I had been there for just a few minutes when a gentleman came out of his house located on the south side of the street with a cup of coffee. He walked over to me and identified himself as a Los Angeles Sheriffs Deputy and asked if we (the department) had been placed on tactical alert. His question took me by surprise, because our agency only had 165 officers and only the large agencies, like Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, etc. would place their personnel on tactical alert and then only in extreme emergencies. I told him I was not aware of any tactical alert and he said his entire agency was on alert. I guess the look on my face indicated I had no idea what had transpired and so he told me the World Trade Center in New York had been attacked and was on fire. He told me terrorists flew a commercial jet into one of the twin towers. At the time, the magnitude of the incident still had not registered with me. I thanked him for the information and told him I was going to head into the station to see what emergency measures we had initiated.

As I drove east on Chapman Avenue, I listened to my police radio and it was quiet, but that was not unusual at this time of the morning…on a normal day.  Everything indicated it was just another morning with business as usual. When I did not hear any emergency radio transmissions or anything to indicate a tactical alert, I asked the dispatcher if we were having any meetings because of the attacks and she told me there were none that she was aware of.  I decided that I would continue to the station and meet with my lieutenant and so I told her I would be in route to the station.

When I arrived, I walked into the Traffic Office where there was a small group crowded around a television, trying to decipher what had occurred. The news media replayed the first jet liner crashing into the building over and over and then to everyone’s horror a second jet liner struck the 2nd tower while on live television. Then reports of an additional attack on the Pentagon and a possible jet liner “missing” were broadcasted on the news. It appeared as if the United States was under attack for the first time since Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941, and the targets, so far, were on the east coast.

The image of the commercial jets as they flew into the Twin Towers was almost numbing. It was hard to grasp that it was not a movie or television show, but we were actually watching people being murdered. I was mesmerized and could not take my eyes off the television. As more information became available, it became more and more surreal. Who would do such a thing and why? Why would someone kill so many innocent people? Reports came in of Islamic terrorists.

Garden Grove had Orange County’s largest Muslim Mosque near 13th Street and Brookhurst and so I decided to ride to the location to determine if there was any activity. The Mosque had an elementary school on the grounds, but had already cancelled classes when word of the attack took over the news. The administrators at the school feared reprisals from misinformed and angry people.

While in route, I heard on my police radio officers had arrived at the mosque and were chasing two suspects with guns. I thought the whole world had gone mad. The responding officers caught the suspects and I returned to the station. I heard later the suspects were Hispanic and wanted revenge for the destruction of the World Trade Center and attack on America.

At the end of my shift, I normally drove my police motorcycle westbound on Chapman to go home. For the next several nights, I saw small and large groups of people and sometimes one lone figure standing on a street corner waving American flags and waving to me as I drove by. People flew American flags from their cars, from their homes and from their businesses. More than once, I found myself holding back tears as people waved to me or saluted me as I rode past. I had never experienced or seen a public display of patriotism of this magnitude. Although it was very touching, it was also very alarming. It was a reminder that America had been attacked. An attack on American soil by foreign terrorists had never happened in my lifetime.

Ironically, weeks before the attack, I had purchased airline tickets to fly home to Minnesota so dad and I could celebrate our birthdays. I would normally have a friend drop me off at the terminal, but when we arrived at LAX, it was completely shut down to vehicle traffic. Passengers had to park or be dropped off in parking lots along the 405 freeway and bused in to the terminal. As I rode the shuttle bus, I was shocked to see how empty LAX appeared without the usual thousands of cars that one would normally see. It was a scene from an apocalyptic movie where civilization had been wiped out by some rogue virus or nuclear attack. Gone were the taxis, buses, limousines and passenger cars. It was eerily quiet and the multi-story parking structures stood empty. And the silence was unnerving. Even inside the airport, one could sense a difference in ambiance. Where once there were thousands of travelers, now there were merely hundreds and their mood was somber…cautious…frightened. It most certainly was different.

Once inside the terminal, there was an abundance of police officers and military personnel armed with automatic and semi-automatic weapons. It reminded me of photographs of European airports where police routinely carry automatic weapons. Flight regulations did not permit active duty law enforcement to carry weapons on commercial jet liners, unless they were in a special container and stored with checked in luggage. Looking around the airport, I suddenly felt very naked without my own weapon.

I was able to fly to Minnesota to spend time with my parents and family. We sat and watched the continuing coverage of the attacks from September 11th and learned more about Flight 77 that struck the Pentagon and Flight 93, which was headed toward the White House. We learned of the many acts of heroism by the men and women of New York’s police, fire, and emergency services. We heard of sacrifices made by people inside of the Twin Towers and countless, heart wrenching stories of death and survival, last minute phone calls and lost loved ones. An endless stream of video and live reports inundated the television and I could not turn away. It was history in progress and I wanted to absorb it all.

I flew back to California without any problems. Life in Garden Grove and the rest of the United States eventually returned to a routine of different levels of alert, but September 11, 2001, changed our entire world.

The American Legion and VFW: Response to Member Misconduct

By Paul McInerny
Updated: February 2020

Introduction:
From the June 4, 2013 American Legion:

“On June 3, President Barack Obama signed into law The American Legion-backed Stolen Valor Act of 2013, which now makes it a "federal crime for an individual to fraudulently hold oneself out to be a recipient of any of several specified military decorations or medals with the intent to obtain money, property, or other tangible benefit."

Past 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. We raised this issue at our national convention, and the House acted."

The VFW was equally supportive of the passage of the Stolen Valor Act of 2013.

Past Commander Hamilton wanted to see violators identified.

“The VFW is very pleased with Congressman Heck and Senator Heller and all their co-sponsors,” said Hamilton, who served in Vietnam as a Marine Corps rifleman. “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.”

The American Legion and VFW, two prestigious veterans organizations, were ardent supporter of the Stolen Valor Act of 2013. Their spokesmen commented those who lie about their military service are “perpetrators of the worst kind of fraud,” and need to pay a “very severe penalty – and a very public price.”

Certainly, neither organization would tolerate such activity from their membership.

If a member of either organization was photographed wearing a uniform with a rank he did not earn or medals of valor he was not awarded, they would conduct an in-house investigation to determine whether or not allegations of misconduct had any merit and take appropriate action. Or would they?

Allegations(s) Against a Member of the VFW and American Legion:
In July 2017, a member of the American Legion community sent a letter to an American Legion Post Commander and the VFW Post Commander in New York regarding one of its members who had Honorably Discharged from the Navy at the rank of Commander. The Navy veteran, however, had been photographed in a Navy uniform with the rank of Captain with Aviator Wings, the Navy Cross, the Silver Star, Purple Heart and numerous other medals. The Navy veteran had written about his heroic exploits as a pilot, how his aircraft had been struck by a surface-to-air missile over the skies of Hanoi and how he, wounded and bleeding profusely, nursed his crippled aircraft back to the carrier, where he crash landed. He wrote how he was on patrol with a Marine unit in the jungles of Vietnam and was involved in a firefight and hit with an AK-47 round that entered his chest and exited his back, leaving a hole the size of a 50-cent piece.

The only problem, according to research with the National Personnel Records Center and the Navy Awards Section, there are no records of any kind to indicate the veteran earned any of the mentioned medals. Not one.

The local American Legion and VFW posts the Navy veteran claimed membership were notified. As per the protocol of both organizations, individual posts are responsible for their members and headquarters takes a hands off approach.

Now, the wearing of rank and medals not earned may not meet the elements necessary to make it a violation (crime) of the Stolen Valor Act, but surely the American Legion and VFW would look into the matter to determine whether or not the Navy veteran, a member of its organization, was wearing medals he did not earn or make claims of combat heroism he did not achieve. After all, he would be more than just a liar. He would be one of the “perpetrators of the worst kind of fraud.”

What was the response to the veteran who made the allegation(s) of misconduct? Nothing. No response or communication of any type. The local VFW Post Commander did, however, share the complaint with the Navy veteran. The Navy veteran in turn, wrote to the person who made the allegation and requested he stop the “harassment.”

The Navy veteran did not dispute a single allegation. Not one. Not a single word of protest or defense regarding the photograph of him displaying all of the listed medals and awards. He just wanted the “harassment” stopped.

The veteran who initially wrote to the local posts attempted additional contact with the local commanders and received absolutely no response. Frustrated, the veteran decided to forward his allegations to the headquarters of the American Legion Headquarters and VFW convinced they would look into the matter of the Navy veteran and perhaps even research why there was no response at the local level.

The veteran compiled a packet of the information he had gathered through research and included a photograph of the Navy veteran in the Captain’s uniform. The information was sent via mail to both the American Legion and VFW Headquarters and addressed to the current Commander.

A month passed by and the veteran received no confirmation from anyone at either organization. A phone call to each headquarters indicated the packet had quite possibly been lost, as they receive a great deal of correspondence.

Response from VFW Headquarters
Mr. Burke (VFW Adjutant) requested the information packet be emailed directly to him. He would then forward the information to the New York District Headquarters where the District Commander would ask the Navy veteran for a certified copy of his DD-214, which would either sustain or refute the allegations made against the veteran. The complaint allegation and supporting documentation were emailed the same day and Mr. Burke acknowledged receiving the documents.

The next day, Mr. Burke wrote (verbatim),  “As the VFW has not process to prosecute person(s) that embellish their war experience by displaying medal(s) that they have not earned we must refer you to the proper authority to report stolen valor which is FBI.”

As previously stated, the wearing of a uniform or medals one has not earned may not rise to the level of a crime, so another inquiry was made to confirm the VFW would conduct their own investigation, independent of any law enforcement agency. The response from Mr. Burke was brief, but excruciatingly clear. Mr. Burke referred to his previous statement and said there would be no further correspondence concerning the navy veteran.

So much for the “…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.”

Response from the American Legion Headquarters
Like the VFW, the American Legion Headquarters opted not to respond. Numerous phone calls and voice mails proved frustrating and non-productive, until the veteran finally spoke with Mr. Eric Goepel at American Legion Headquarters. Mr. Goepel appeared genuinely interested in the allegations and asked the evidence and documentation be emailed directly to him and he acknowledged their receipt. He assured the veteran he would send the packet “up the leadership chain,” and would let him know how things developed, as he was able.

Approximately two and a half months later, the veteran who made the allegation(s) received no updates of any kind. No emails, no phone calls, no letters. It is unknown if the American Legion Leadership even received the packet of information and allegations, or, if they did, what course of action they took ~ if any.

On December 4, 2017, Mr. Jeff Chapman, Assistant Director of Membership called to discuss the issue. The official stance of the National Headquarters was not to become involved in allegations of misconduct against one of its members. The responsibility belonged to the local post. Would the National Headquarters become involved if the local post failed to investigate the allegations? The answer from Mr. Chapman was an emphatic, “no.”

It would appear “perpetrators of the worst kind of fraud” are no longer of concern to the American Legion, even if the perpetrator is one of its members. Mr. Chapman said he would, however, contact the local post regarding our conversation.

The American Legion and VFW, both at the local and headquarters level, appeared to have washed their hands of any responsibility to investigate an allegation of misconduct against one of their members. Where was the outrage, or at the very least concern, that one of their members was wearing the uniform of a rank he did not earn and displaying medals evidence suggests he did not earn?

There are two concerns to be addressed.

The first concern is the lack of response from the he local American Legion and VFW post commanders who were notified of the allegations of misconduct. There was and is sufficient, tangible documentation (official records, photographs, etc.) to warrant a thorough investigation at the local level. At the very least, the local American Legion and VFW posts should have afforded the veteran who filed a complaint the courtesy of a response.

The second concern is both organizations have apparently turned a blind eye to the allegation(s). Both organizations decided not to conduct their own, independent investigation into the misconduct of the Navy veteran, but one has to wonder the reasoning. One member of the VFW even suggested the Navy veteran was protected by the 1st Amendment to wear the uniform and medals he did not earn. It is unknown what course of action was taken, if any at the local level, because of the lack of communication.

What is known, the National Headquarters of the American Legion and the VFW does indeed turn a blind eye. The American Legion Headquarters chose not to respond, but the VFW National Headquarters would not even entertain the notion of an internal investigation into the allegation. As Mr. Chapman indicated, if the American Legion National Headquarters had to investigate every allegation of Stolen Valor against one of its members, they would be too busy to conduct any business for the benefit of the veterans the organization serves. If the local post declines to investigate, national headquarters is fine with the decision.

This is the same American Legion, which raised the issue of Stolen Valor at one of their national conventions. Apparently, the issue was of concern enough to warrant discussion at a national convention, but does not rate consideration at the local level and the National Headquarters doesn’t become involved. And the VFW Headquarters was unyielding in their response: no investigation/no involvement.

Conclusion:
Apathy. Clearly, it is the “not-my-job” attitude. And we wonder why there is a proliferation of individuals parading around in uniforms with medals they didn’t earn. Apparently, if you are a member of either of these organizations, you get a free pass.

By the way, the Navy veteran continues his charade and story telling, using his exploits of alleged heroism to promote his books and earn a living.

This is your American Legion. This is your VFW.  This is why I am no longer a member of the American Legion.

About the author:
Paul McInerny enlisted in the United States Army and served from 1969-1972, Honorably Discharged at the rank of Sergeant E-5 with the 545th Military Police Company.  After serving nearly 30 years as a police officer in Southern California, he retired as a sergeant.  He is a Life Time member of the 1st Cavalry Division Association and the 545th Military Police Company Association, a Gold Star Family Member and a Charlie Company 2/8 Family Member.

Stolen Valor

Philip A. Keith: Story Teller Extraodinaire

I am at a loss for words, so I will simply post an article I have found from May 2016:

Source: http://www.hbschools.us/news/story.aspx?id=36513

In continuing its mission to take history out of the textbooks by honoring a local veteran each month of the school year, the Hampton Bays School District is paying tribute to Vietnam War Veteran Phil Keith by flying an American Flag in his honor throughout the month of May.

“The district is proud to honor Mr. Keith for his bravery and service to the United States,” said Superintendent of Schools Lars Clemensen.

Mr. Keith was honored at ceremony at Hampton Bays Elementary School on May 20. During the event the Hampton Bays Middle School seventh- and eighth-grade chorus performed “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “Welcome Home,” composed by John Jacobson and Mac Huff. Middle School student Simone Scotto read the poem, “A Nation’s Strength” by Ralph Waldo Emerson. The ceremony culminated with the raising of the flag on the district’s new flagpole, which was donated by the American Legion Hand Aldrich Post 924.

Mr. Keith was born in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1946 and grew up in East Longmeadow. Following graduating high school in 1964, Mr. Keith attended Harvard University, where he joined the Navy ROTC and earned a full scholarship for the next three years of college.

Upon graduating Harvard in 1968, Mr. Keith was commissioned as an officer in the United States Navy. He trained on several vessels, including both diesel and nuclear-powered destroyers and submarines. Despite being underwater so much, it was the air that caught his imagination. He applied and was accepted into the Navy Flight School in Pensacola, Florida.

Flight training was a grueling 14 months and consisted of learning to fly a prop driven T-34 training aircraft and Lockheed F-9. Following this, Mr. Keith enrolled in advanced flight training, where he flew the iconic McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II. In the F-4, he qualified to take off and land on aircraft carriers, including as the USS Lexington. In August 1969, he graduated flight school and earned his gold aviator’s wings. Keith was soon assigned to a combat fighter squadron, which was in need of a legal officer, and subsequently sent back to school in Newport, Rhode Island to study for the position.

In November 1969, he was reassigned to the “Fighting Falcons,” the squadron VF- 96 aboard the USS Constellation off the coast of Tonkin in Vietnam. During his station, Mr. Keith and his fellow pilots flew “close air support missions,” flying protective cover planes going into and coming out of North Vietnam on bombing raids.

In the early 1970s, and on his second tour of Vietnam, Mr. Keith was flying his 272nd mission when a North Vietnamese missile hit his F-4. Keith and his weapon systems officer were both badly wounded and the F-4 was badly damaged. One engine was destroyed and there was a loss of flight control. Mr. Keith, however, managed to fly the crippled jet back to the carrier. He was awarded the Purple Heart for his injuries and the Distinguished Flying Cross for saving the life of his weapons systems officer and managing to maneuver the plane back to the carrier.

For the next six months, Mr. Keith recuperated in Hawaii and worked as a legal officer. He also wrote several articles for local papers about universities removing ROTCs from their campuses due to the unpopularity of the Vietnam War. The articles caught the attention of the Navy “top brass” and Keith was assigned to work in the admiral’s office before requesting to serve a third tour in Vietnam.

Although his injuries precluded him from flying an aircraft with an ejection seat he didn’t stop flying. Instead he transitioned to the Lockheed EP-3, an aircraft used for surveillance and reconnaissance.

He continued to serve in naval intelligence for another 14 years and retired after 24 years of active duty. After retirement, he worked for a software development company in Manhattan, ultimately as its vice president of marketing. After visiting the Hamptons one weekend, Mr. Keith later decided to purchase a home in Water Mill.

After moving, he started a consulting company and served as the executive in residence at Long Island University. He also started writing books about WWI and WWII and two others about the war in Vietnam. He is currently writing a book about Eugene Bullard, the first African-American fighter pilot. He has three grown daughters, two live in Utah and one lives in Idaho. His 13-year-old son Pierce is an eighth-grader at Westhampton Beach Middle School.

* * * *

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

Remembering September 11, 2001

September 11, 2001, was the day the World Trade Center Towers in New York were destroyed by fanatical, Islamic extremist who commandeered commercial jet liners and crashed them into the Twin Towers. Both towers eventually collapsed, killing thousands of people and literally stopping the world, if only for a moment. The attack was well planned, as another jet liner crashed into the Pentagon and a fourth jetliner crashed into an empty field in Pennsylvania. The passengers on United Flight 93 attempted to regain control of the jet from the terrorists and the jet crashed before reaching its target, which experts surmised was the White House.

I was familiar with the World Trade Center because brother Joe worked there in 1993, when Islamic extremists detonated a car bomb in the underground parking structure. I seem to recall he was in one of the upper floors, perhaps the 60th or something similar. At any rate, when I talked to him after the bombing, he said everyone was told to evacuate, but he really did not know what was going on until he exited the ground floor and saw the news media.

In 2001, I was assigned to the Traffic Unit with the Garden Grove Police Department. I was supervisor of the unit and working day shift. Officers assigned to the Traffic Unit were allowed to take their motorcycles home with them and I fired up my Kawasaki KZ1000 and headed east on Pitcairn Street from my house in the City of Cypress. It was September 11th, approximately 7:00am and I headed over to Patton Elementary School to monitor a crosswalk near a stop sign for the kids. It was my morning routine at the start of my shift and I drove over and parked my motorcycle along the north curb line of Santa Rita Avenue, just east of Wild Goose Street.

I had been there for just a few minutes when a gentleman came out of his house located on the south side of the street with a cup of coffee and came over to talk to me. He identified himself as a Los Angeles Sheriffs Deputy and asked if we (the department) had been placed on tactical alert. His question took me by surprise, because our agency only had 165 officers and only the large agencies, like Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, etc. would place their personnel on tactical alert and then only in extreme emergencies. I told him I was not aware of any tactical alert and he said his entire agency was on alert. I guess the look on my face indicated I had no idea what had transpired early that morning and so he told me the World Trade Center in New York had been attacked and was on fire. He told me terrorists flew a commercial jet into one of the twin towers. At the time, the magnitude of the incident still had not registered with me. I thanked him for the information and told him I was going to head into the station to see what emergency measures we had initiated.

As I drove toward the station, I listened to my police radio and it was quiet, but that was not unusual at this time of the morning…on a normal day. Everything indicated it was just another morning with business as usual. When I did not hear any emergency radio transmissions or anything to indicate a tactical alert, I asked the dispatcher if we were having any meetings because of the attacks and she told me there were none she was aware of. I decided I would continue to the station and meet with my lieutenant and so I told her I would be in route to the station.

When I arrived, I walked into the small, Traffic Office where there was a small group crowded around a television. They watched the news coverage, trying to decipher what had occurred. The news media replayed the first jet liner crashing into the building over and over and then to everyone’s horror a second jet liner struck the 2nd tower while on live television. Then reports of an additional attack on the Pentagon and a possible jet liner “missing” were broadcasted on the news. It appeared as if the United States was under attack for the first time since Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941, and the targets, so far, were on the east coast.

The image of the commercial jets as they flew into the Twin Towers was almost numbing. It was hard to grasp that it was not a movie or television show, but we were actually watching people being murdered. I was mesmerized and could not take my eyes off the television. As more information became available, it became more and more surreal. Who would do such a thing and why? Why would someone kill so many innocent people? Reports came in of Islamic terrorist.

Garden Grove had Orange County’s largest Muslim Mosque down near 13th Street and Brookhurst and so I decided to drive to the location to determine if there was any activity. The Mosque had an elementary school on the grounds, but had already cancelled classes when word of the attack took over the news. The administrators at the school feared reprisals from misinformed and angry people.

While in route, I heard on my police radio officers had arrived at the mosque and were chasing two suspects with guns. I thought the whole world had gone mad. The responding officers caught the suspects and I returned to the station. I heard later the suspects were Hispanic and wanted revenge for the destruction of the World Trade Center and attack on America.

At the end of my shift, I normally drove westbound on Chapman to go home. For the next several nights, I saw small and large groups of people and sometimes one lone figure standing on a street corner waving American flags and waving to me as I drove by. Although it was very touching, it was also very alarming. It was a reminder that America had been attacked. That had never happened in my lifetime.

Ironically, I had purchased airline tickets to fly home to Minnesota so dad and I could celebrate our birthdays. I would normally have a friend drop me off at the terminal, but when we arrived at LAX, it was completely shut down to vehicle traffic. Passengers had to park or be dropped off in lots along the 405 freeway and bused in to the terminal. As I rode the shuttle bus, I was shocked to see how empty LAX appeared without the usual thousands of cars that one would normally see. It was a scene from an apocalyptic movie where civilization had been wiped out by some rogue virus or nuclear attack. Gone were the taxis, buses, limousines and passenger cars. It was eerily quiet and the multi-story parking structures stood empty. And the silence was unnerving. Even inside the airport, one could sense a difference in ambiance. Where once there were thousands of travelers, now there were merely hundreds and their mood was somber…cautious…frightened. It most certainly was different.

Once inside the terminal, there was an abundance of police officers and military personnel armed with automatic and semi-automatic weapons. It reminded me of photographs of European airports where police routinely carry automatic weapons. Flight regulations did not permit active duty law enforcement to carry weapons on commercial jet liners, unless they were in a special container and stored with checked in luggage. Looking around the airport, I suddenly felt very naked without my own weapon.

I was able to fly to Minnesota to spend time with my parents and family. We sat and watched the continuing coverage of the attacks from September 11th and learned more about Flight 77 that struck the Pentagon and Flight 93, which was headed toward the White House. We learned of the many acts of heroism by the men and women of New York’s police, fire, and emergency services. We heard of sacrifices made by people inside of the Twin Towers and countless, heart wrenching stories of death and survival, last minute phone calls and lost loved ones. An endless stream of video and live reports inundated the television and I could not turn away. It was history in progress and I wanted to absorb it all.

I flew back to California without any problems. Life in Garden Grove and the rest of the United States eventually returned to a routine of different levels of alert, but September 11, 2001, changed our entire world.

My Favorite Facebook Post of 2015

There are so many scams on the Internet nowadays...

Send me $19.95 and I will tell you how to avoid them.

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.