I can give him credit for WWII in the Merchant Marine. Those guys did yeoman’s work and many died in the war. As far as Vietnam, although his records show he never was assigned there, as a senior NCO he may have had some TDY in country that doesn’t show on his records. Maybe, maybe not. During my career I had enough TDY time in Bogota to earn three months of “hostile fire/eminent danger” pay. I have no clue if that would show up in my records in a FOIA. It was no big deal, running simulations exercises with the Colombians, staying in nice hotels, etc. I will not forgive him for claiming additional Purple Hearts or medals for valor that he did not earn. If he never set foot in Vietnam, in my opinion he cannot claim Vietnam service. I enlisted in June 1974, during the Vietnam era but never got close to the place and do not claim to be a VN vet. The closest I got to Vietnam was the Drill Sergeant at Basic telling us if we did not learn such and such we woudl die in Vietnam. I informed him we were no longer sending troops to Vietnam, that remark cost me thirty push-ups. I cannot understand those who are so insecure they must embelish a fine career of service.
I can give him credit for WWII in the Merchant Marine. Those guys did yeoman’s work and many died in the war. As far as Vietnam, although his records show he never was assigned there, as a senior NCO he may have had some TDY in country that doesn’t show on his records. Maybe, maybe not. During my career I had enough TDY time in Bogota to earn three months of “hostile fire/eminent danger” pay. I have no clue if that would show up in my records in a FOIA. It was no big deal, running simulations exercises with the Colombians, staying in nice hotels, etc. I will not forgive him for claiming additional Purple Hearts or medals for valor that he did not earn. If he never set foot in Vietnam, in my opinion he cannot claim Vietnam service. I enlisted in June 1974, during the Vietnam era but never got close to the place and do not claim to be a VN vet. The closest I got to Vietnam was the Drill Sergeant at Basic telling us if we did not learn such and such we woudl die in Vietnam. I informed him we were no longer sending troops to Vietnam, that remark cost me thirty push-ups. I cannot understand those who are so insecure they must embelish a fine career of service.