Angel Aviles; Christmas tree phony
Scotty sends us his work on Angel Aviles, who claims to have been in every conflict since World War II in the Army. As you can see in the above picture he thinks rather highly of himself. Two Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart just to start off. I see some Desert Storm stuff in there, too. The truth is less exciting;
Twenty years in the Coast Guard from 1954 – 1974, not that there’s anything wrong with that, but there is if you’re going to pin on all of the most colorful medals you can find at the surplus store. If you bump into Angel out there in Carlsbad, he’ll probably flash a badge at you – he wears FBI and Homeland Security hats and T-shirts and carries a badge or two and some fake government ID for his protection.
Category: Phony soldiers
Laugh all you want at my 58 days of gritty, cutthroat Army basic training. This guy aspires to surviving eight conflicts like I did.
http://thetruthaboutsocnetlies.wordpress.com/2012/03/05/john-giduck-addresses-survivor-of-8-conflicts-statement-and-hilarity-ensues/
sincerely
John “Faker 6” Giduck
An excellent military career tarnished by offenses subject to court-martial.
I have a friend who retired from the Coast Guard who often told me (I’m a Viet Nam veteran) that he wished he could have served in Viet Nam, and requested to serve there, but the Coast Guard never sent him there.
But, I’m impressed by what my friend did when he was serving honorably in the United States Coast Guard.
He is certified as a “Square Knot Sailor”, a very RARE seafaring honor, meaning that during his career, he sailed all seven of the Seven Seas and visited all four of the Four Corners of the Earth.
If ONLY this guy, ANGEL A. AVILES, had told the truth!
His citation indicates he was a Petty Officer, but his DD-214 shows him retiring as a Boatswain’s Mate First Class.
Is that the same thing as a Petty Officer, or was he reduced in rank due to some military offense?
Petty Officer is the same thing as NCO, John.
He retired as an E-6, BM1.
I want to know how he’s getting away with fake fed credentials? Can I get some?
To build on what Ex-PH2 said. A petty officer in the Navy is like a Sergeant in the Army. Just as “Sergeant” shows up in the Army rank name from E-5 to E-9, “Petty Officer” shows up in the Navy/Coast guard rank names from E-5 to E-9.
The Petty Officer is a Non Commissioned Officer.
Also, I’ve seen people refer to Retired Senior Chief Don Shipley as “Chief Shipley.” That’s like referring to a 1SG as “Sergeant” rather than “First Sergeant” or “Top.”
Likewise, referring to a “Master Chief” as “Chief” is like referring to a “Sergeant Major” as “Sergeant.” 
Minor correction the besig…
E-4 is also a Petty Officer…so in the Coast Guard, our ranks start as:
Seaman Recruit E-1
Seaman Apprentice E-2
Seaman E-3
Petty Officer E-4- E-9
🙂
That’s not a minor correction, but an addition. I was explaining this from an Army perspective, from one Army veteran to another.
The Army also has E4 NCOs, these are the corporals. However, for the purpose of clarifying things, I only talked about the E5 to E9 ranks, so I left out the explanation for the Navy PO3 and Army CPL.
I stand corrected thebesig and thank you 🙂
Being a Water Puppy you land lubber ranks confuse me too lol
It’s easy in the Army, Toasty. Just look for the chevrons (like ^).
If there’s more than one chevron in the rank, that’s an NCO. Corporals have 2; Sergeants of all types have 3.
Thank you Hondo, I appreciate you clarifying how to tell the difference. 🙂
Arrrrgh! Did’ya call this Shelback a lhandlubbah? 😯
😈
I’m prior Navy. Like Daniel Alan Bernath, I wore the PO2 rank. Unlike Daniel Alan Bernath, I wore khakis.
Like Daniel Alan Bernath, I never was a CPO in any capacity. 
I was aware that a Petty Officer was an NCO.
But, what confuses me is his final rank of BM-1, which I understand is a Boatswain’s Mate First Class.
Therefore, was he reduced in rank at or prior to retirement?
Or is a BM-1 a Petty Officer?
I just flat out don’t comprehend Navy and/or Coast Guard ranks at all.
@John Robert Mallernee
He was a Boatswains Mate First Class, which is an E-6, which is a Petty Officer in the Coast Guard.
So he would be called Petty Offer Toad Snot Christmas Tree Angel Aviles when being addressed.
Boatswain mate is his Rate or job, E-6 is his rank or Petty Officer First Class.
Thank you for clearing that up, although, as a typical landlubber, I still don’t understand seafaring ranks.
This might help.
http://www.aviationexplorer.com/Military_Insignia_Rank_Structure_Charts/US_Military_Enlisted_Ranks_All_Branches_Of_Service.jpg
Thanks.
Also, as everyone here can see, he’s wearing the Bronze Star Medal incorrectly, as there should be only one of those medals displayed, with an oak leaf to indicate a second award.
Which, since he’s not authorized ANY Bronze Star Medal, is really a moot point.
Also, it appears (if I’m seeing it correctly) that he’s wearing some medals in the wrong order, i.e., he has his Republic of Viet Nam Campaign Medal, a FOREIGN award, placed before the National Defense Service Medal, which is awarded by the United States.
United States awards ALWAYS precede awards from foreign governments.
I’m only spit balling here,but I guess his deadly skills as a R&U(Repairs and Utilities)guy are what finally drove the Commies to the Peace Talks table.If not for him we probably would still be over there making ashtrays.
Who says the Coast Guard is the Navy’s little sister? Just a big a phonies as any branch.
I don’t know about this one Jonn. He should be around 78 years old, I thought we had an age limit. Last time I commented on one like this I was seen as a heartless bastard hero. I wouldn’t want to do anything to tarnish my reputation any further. I thought fake bronze stars turned into harmless misunderstandings at some point.
I don’t think age alone gets someone a pass, Dave; witness Kirjath Toney, for example. Folks were forgiving of the one fellow you are thinking of because it was confirmed that he did have dementia; plus, at least as far as I know, there was no evidence that he’d been in the habit of wearing a jacked-up uniform prior to his diagnosis. Also, that Marine’s uniform was at least somewhat reflective of his very distinguished career (with the exception of two questionable awards), while Aviles’ collection appears to be pure fiction. As far as I can see, the two cases are quite different.
Thanks for the reply. I have been working on a project related to this topic and what I am finding is, well, unbelievable. To my knowledge there was no confirmation on the prior case, as I understand it there is confirmation of a Claim only. There are three major things on that uniform that are questionable. I do not condone an attack on any person verbal or otherwise that is incapable of defending themselves.
In my research I am finding this issue rampant within many VSO’s. I do not have an answer to how these cases should be dealt with. I am attempting to find one.
Lets assume he is around 78 years old. What would you do if you come across this person? What should we do? When I know there is a member of a VSO that is like this should they be thrown out?
At this point in my life I hope I have made a few things clear to my family and friends. This mans loved ones are more than likely unaware of the attack about to be launched upon him.
I do not know the answer, I do know that he or someone near him has to put a stop to it. The Claim of ‘diminished capacity’ is all too convenient for the fakers.
My position remains that the ‘other person’ was wearing fake medals and awards for a long time. Who purchased those three awards? They do not appear new. Was he traveling alone? If so how can the claim of diminished capacity be sever enough as an excuse but not so bad he can travel half way around the world alone. My parents are in their 80’s, my father a Marine.
Dave Hardin…I understand and sympathize with your views. A guy that old could be just an old guy of diminished capacity, thinking about days gone by and things he remembered seeing. I don’t know myself without further information on him. Some, even his age, are in a different category. Those are the ones savvy enough to have Facebook accounts and so forth and wear false medals. Those I have little sympathy, if any for because they are apparently in their right mind. Yes diminished capacity is an easy out at his age. If he indeed has a capacity issue, I agree it will be a delicate situation to deal with for him, close friends and family. But based on the amount of information I have read, he is aware of his actions. His travels and so forth for example. I hope we can get more solid intel on the guy.
Additionally, at this point I don’t want to rip this guy TOO much but at the same time rest assured, I do not excuse him or his actions either. Not in the least.
Thanks for your response. I really do need some help with this issue as I continue with my other project. Maybe part of the answer is to have some additional information available before they are posted. I dont think anyone can claim either one of us is soft on Stolen Valor. I dont know Sparks I wish I had a better answer to the whole issue.
Perhaps if you think in terms of knowingly making false claims it would help? No matter the age or history of lying, once that person is no longer able mentally to take responsibility for the claims, I am out on ridiculing anyone.
As far as confronting anyone over their claims, restraint should always be used until proof is obtained. Almost always less damage will be caused to all parties by waiting for confirmation prior rather after accusation. Not always, of course, and there many variables.
I follow you. So this guy for example. Here is what I see. A career retired veteran. He knew perfectly well not to wear two bronze stars. Something is wrong with him.
I have found it all too common for people to become indignant and say ‘Just let the old fellow be’.
If nothing is done in some cases we end have to dig them up later and move them.
The distinction you made about ridiculing anyone is a good one. I am not interested in ridiculing a 78 year old man neither am I interested in turning from the situation and walking away without the problem being fixed.
Come on guys. We’re getting dead fakers thrown out of National cemetaries. This guy ain’t dead – he’s a legit target.
Here seems to be a problem with this, “persecute” a well-meaning patient with dementia and you are perceived as cruel right? The ways you discussed are both valid, if they bore the false uniform/awards before the dx or not. How long is enough time to say he did in fact have that diminished capacity? One or two years prior so give him a pass? How much of this falls on the pts loved ones then? They knew dad/gramps/Uncle Fester was NOT a legit soldier and allowed, even helped procure items to “soothe the old gent’s mind” in his old age.
This is not an easy task, but one that should be looked at as we have both an aging population and less family members that have served and know what the hell they are doing. Both to what is what is proper military wise and how egregious STOLEN VALOR is. I don’t envy who ever is the policy chief on this one.
A decent and honorable 20 years…..and he had to go and flush it with this bullshit.
Heh…would love to see toasty coasty turned lose on this one…
Yeah, TC would fuck up this guy’s world something fierce. Hold on, gotta go to the TOC and fix some popcorn. This gon’ be good!
🙂
I’ll bring the chips & dip….and a mop to clean up what’s left.
Great fecal block bathing in godly waters!
Pardon Me Prince Fancypants Of The Island Of Aren’t You Freakin’ Special Angel Aviles!
You stinking manboobed breath disgrace! You served a perfect honourable career in the Coast Guard only to decide you would much rather look like a Christmas tree that a thousand pixies puked on?
You should be ashamed you Glittery Gargoyle Gonad. You managed to serve for 20 years and from the looks of it is was decent. You are one of the 7% that made it past initial enlistment and you had to go and play My Little Sparkle Pony and destroyed any honour you may have had. Any person sufficiently intellectually advanced enough to not smear themselves in their own feces knows that by doing so you not only bring disgrace to yourself, but your Branch of Service and to your family and friends.
How does it feel knowing that you look like a Clown that’s lost his Circus and has shamed his family and his self?
You are more embarrassing than a post orgasm poop in bed.
But being the queef snorter you are, I am certain you don’t really care, after all you allegedly carry around false ID’s.
No worries you oompa-loompa rump bumper…Fame you wanted, fame you shall have…welcome to the Alter of Google Hell…Scandal on the web leaves the shame a click away, forever.
Angel Aviles man-boobed breath Coast Guard Embellisher Toad Snot. Angel Aviles man-boobed breath Coast Guard Embellisher Toad Snot. Angel Aviles man-boobed breath Coast Guard Embellisher Toad Snot. Angel Aviles man-boobed breath Coast Guard Embellisher Toad Snot.
*Shakes salt on popcorn*
*Munch Munch Munch*
GET ‘IM TOASTY!
*Munch Munch Munch*
*Sips Pepsi*
pass the popcorn…she’s just getting warmed up…..
*WOOO-HOOO!*
I was wondering just when she was gonna cut loose and sink her claws into him like the TAH Lioness that she is!!
Hey, got any beer to wash this popcorn down with?
Dang, TC, for a minute there, I thought you were gonna say he’s as sparkly as Smurfette right after a unicorn poked her up the arse and shat glitter all over her!
lol Proud~
I was saving that 😀 But you said it so well now i will have to think of something else…I sure hope we gets some puppets.
You whopped that ass.
Sheer poetry, stunning mastery of the English language! Or as my pa (LtCol D) would say;
OUT F**KING STANDING!
For Gods sake don’t let him go to Guam, he might tip it over with all those medals.
He looks as though he has been into the sacramental bourbon. Either that or he has some kidney failure going on, or both.
I’m not ready to jump on him even though he has enough medals to supply the Military for years to come. YMMV.
I wasn’t aware there was an age limit on who we bust. Aviles certainly isn’t the oldest, since we’ve featured WWII phonies before. And there was the president of the Korean War Veterans Association and Dick Stoops who come to mind. Stoops had been rocking his lies about his Korean War service since the early 70s. I think y’all are getting soft.
It’s Sparks’s fault Jonn. It was that post a while back the exposed the softer side. Can’t be my fault. I thought from previous posts that a few fake bronze stars were just a minor uniform error. If someone sounds the ‘dementia’ alarm it gets kinda lonely at the LP. I am still blaming Sparks, i was perfectly heartless until that post a while back filled with reason and facts. Damn it anyway.
Yeah.
It was Sparks’ fault!
What say you, Sparks?!?!!
E6 in 20 years?
lol, in the Corps we have a term for that. Forced out shitbags.
Shitbags gonna shitbag.
So this cat is in Carlsbad, CA, just down the street from Pendleton? I wonder why I’ve never seen him but will definitely BOLO for his old faking a$$. I’ll forward this post around the base see if anyone has any recent sightings….Carlsbad is a small community and I am sure I know someone who knows of him.
Thanks, I too am curious about more info.
Dave, here’s a little more I found out while surfing the web….
http://calmoaa.org/newsletters/pendleton.pdf
This is the article that mentions him as a past president of the Pendleton Chapter of the MOAA….and the chapter’s website is below.
http://www.moaa.org/chapter/pendleton
I’m going to email the gentlemen listed as current officers to let them know, if they don’t already….and let’s see what happens.
Thanx for the post. I have a link in a post below. Seems like the whole family is dedicated to helping veterans. Sad they may have been doing the right thing for the wrong reasons.
I emailed the info along with links and pics to the current officers of the chapter. I’m sure they are aware of this by now.
Uh Oh, I think this goes way deeper than first reported. Google up Angel Aviles Carlsbad. He is being touted as the new Chapter President of the Pendelton Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America and is claiming to have been a CWO in both the Army and the Coast Guard.
Yep, to me the Google images of him look to be the same guy, both of them in Carlsbad,CA at the same time. Coincidence? I think not. Refer to NCIS Agent Gibbs’ Rule 13 if you think I’m wrong. Here’s one for the Warrant Officers to chew on until Hell freezes over.
Correction to my comment. Not rule 13, but Rule 39. Sorry.
Thanks for the post. Do you have a link to any additional info?
Sorry,Dave,but I’m not computer literate enough to do the Linky thing. But the MOAA website is the first one that pops up when Angel Aviles Carlsbad is entered in the search engine of your choice.
Thanks, I appreciate it.
He’s also been rocking the lie with the Military Order of the Purple Heart and was recognized by the city of Oceanside as its “Veteran of the Year” in 2012
https://www.ci.oceanside.ca.us/Council_Video/2013/08-07-2013_CM/08-07-2013_CM_exphtml.HTML
http://www.sandiegopurpleheart.com/inspirations
Dude loves to wear the bling in a tux and call himself a CWO2… and tell his tales to anyone that is willing to listen to him.
Senior, what I find very interesting about his story of finding the two soldiers “crawling in the woods” of Seoul is that the date referenced (27 Jul 1953) is the exact same day the Cease Fire/Truce was signed supposedly ending hostilities. Another coincidence? I think not.
I noticed that, too. I’ve got the NCOIC of DVIDS on the line who is looking into their article about Aviles.
Well, what prompted me to do some Google-Fu was that CWO5USMC said Carlsbad,CA and I couldn’t find anything in the post that referenced a state,so I wondered if he might be in Carlsbad, NM instead of CA. And the Shit Pot opened up.
His Bronze Star claims pre date his service in the Coast Guard. Is it possible there is prior Army service in Korea not reflected on his DD214?
Dave, his bio on the MOAA site also claims CWO in the Army. Have you ever seen/heard of a 18 year old Warrant with two years of service? I never did except for Helicopter Pilots in Viet Nam.
It is possible, if there wasn’t so much about his story that doesn’t jibe. He claims he’s a Warrant Officer, but he’s not. He says he was in Vietnam, but there are no Vietnam Service medals. Like someone mentioned, he claims he earned TWO Bronze Star Medals and a Purple Heart two days before the ceasefire began (July 29, 1953). He claims that he was in Korea 1953-1954 and joined the Coast Guard in 1955, but the Coast Guard records differ. The totality of his claims makes it unlikely.
Scotty has the letter from NPRC that states they have no Army service record on him. No record of CWO promotion. No PH. NO BS. He appears to have been making these claims for decades. Ok he is a duck. Now can I spread the blame around to include all the gullible fucks that bought into his bullshit for all this time?
He appears to be a 78 year old embellishing honor thief that needs to be stopped. An example to the hoards of other fake hero’s that age is not an excuse, they should have come clean years ago. I wonder how many of those jobs he has held over the years were given to him because of his lies. I now have enough information to say I don’t give a shit if he is 78 now. If he has any honor left in him maybe he will enjoy coming clean. Its not easy to stomach this shit sometimes.
I noticed that as well. It walks like a duck, it talks like a duck, it looks more and more like a duck….Maybe John Kerry knows this guy. He has to be legit because Homeland Security gave him an award and a VSO dedicated to Purple Hearts wouldn’t honor him for decades without checking him out. Seems the whole family has been doing wonderful things to assist veterans. Are you sure this is not just a minor uniform issue?
Dave, since the citation for his one CGAM is based on him putting up and painting drywall at a Arts and Crafts Center for nine months and that was the apex achievement for his career, I think what has been brought to light is “The rest of the story”.
You could throw a rope around his neck and use him as an anchor.
No way, he is so full of shit that he would float along behind the boat.
From one of the articles,, pretty generic story. He doesnt mention a unit..
His journey began in the United States Army from 1953 to 1954 where he served in the Korean War and was awarded two Bronze Stars for valor in combat and also received the Purple Heart medal, as he was wounded in combat.
“I was in the 38th parallel in Seoul, South Korea July 27, 1953, when I saw two soldiers crawling in the woods,” Aviles said. “Without hesitation I ran over to them while exposing myself (to enemy fire) and dragged them both to a safe area. They were both bleeding, bad. One was shot in the shoulder and the other in the back. I began stuffing dirt and sand into the wounds to stop the bleeding. Then I took off my shirt, ripped it and used it to maintain pressure on the wounds and tying both of the wounds tight with the strap from the M1 Rifle. I was only 18-years-old at the time and I used the survival techniques I learned in the boy scouts.”
I wonder when Seoul moved 31 miles South from the 38th,,, and I find it a coinky-dink that this incident happended the day the treaty was signed.
That story has so many holes in it I won’t even dignify it with a review. I’m not exactly sure how Marksmanship is awarded in the Coast Guard,but I’m pretty sure it’s not with USMC badges. Yes, I’ve seen some additional pictures of him at various functions with USMC Sharpshooters Badges pinned to his suit jacket.
Next he’ll be running his mouth claiming to have done missions with the French Foreign Legion when his seekrit call sign was “DIL DEAU 69”! That, or he was in the Battle of Dil Doe in Vietnam before he went back to his Camp in Al Phuk Tup to refit!
API… his scout was a guy by the name of Long Duc Dong and his favorite dish was Cream of Sum Yun Guy soup. Fought at the Battle of Ho Lee Phuq in Gang Bang Province…
Remind to run before he does a facing movement!
Whats next? Claiming he was gassed at the first battle of Chateau Briand, along the Somme front?
Here is a good line from him. “On paper it always looks like I have done a lot,” said Aviles. “But it’s not always about the written accomplishments; it’s more about the lives I’ve affected through my service.”
Well, actually on paper there just isn’t a lot there to back up his claims. Like in this article he claims to have been shot thought the legs in Nam. But he only made that claim as the Veteran of the Year in 2010 so that not a big deal right, cause he is 78 and all.
Forgot the link. Here ya go.
http://www.pendleton.marines.mil/News/NewsArticleDisplay/tabid/5440/Article/95685/veteran-of-the-year-recognized-for-dedication.aspx
I’m sensing some sort of a pattern here. Are the planets out of alignment or something? In the not so distant past the following individuals have been featured here on TAH: John Walsh,Johnny Max(IceMan)Taylor,John Rixley Moore,John Giduck,John Marcus Alberti,John “Not my Real Name” Stark,John sKerry (of the Silver Star w/V device fame),Richard Talent, and Phlemron Dickey. Seven(7) Johns,two(2)Dicks and now we have an Angel to round out this special squad of,well as Green Thumb so eloquently calls them,Turds. Draw your own conclusions, I’m just trying to help.
Oops,I forgot to add that not a one of them has the GD common courtesy to give a decent reach around.
The Coast Guard gives medals for running an Arts and Crafts shop for 8 months?
Oy vey.
Not only was he a Chief Warrant Officer in the Coat Guard, it looks like he made Chief Warrant Officer during his 1 year in the Army as well. Damn, I thought my claim of going from Cpl to SSgt in 6 months was impressive.
Angel Aviles
U.S. Army, 1953-54 served with 2nd Infantry Division at Korea’s 38th parallel, “aka” the punch bowl at Seoul. That was followed by 21 years with the U.S. Coast Guard, 1955-74, including a 1968 tour at Da Nang with Coast Guard Squadron #1. Chief Warrant Officer in both Army and Coast Guard. Angel went on to work for the U.S. Customs Service in New York, and as a federal agent with the U.S. Department of the Treasury doing criminal investigation until 1995. He is active in the Federal Law Enforcement Association and Military Officer Association of America.
http://www.vva472.org/members/spotlight/index.htm
Slip of the keyboard but maybe he was a Coat Guard at some fine dining establishment.
No matter how many times I try to do the math, 1955 to 1974 still comes up at 19 years, not 21. Must be some of that advanced math calculations I didn’t learn about in first grade.
The “Punchbowl” scrap was in Sept 1951 and the 1st Marine Division was the major US unit.
A truly “phildosical” dude.