Billy Elvin Shelton; phony soldier
I’m sure you’ve read the book “Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10“, the story of Navy SEAL Marcus Lattrell and his fateful mission in Afghanistan in 2005. You might remember this passage from page 57 of the book;
Well, it adds a nice dimension to the story, but unfortunately, Billy Shelton had been lying to the Luttrell brothers – he’d never been in the Special Forces. According to records, Specialist Five Shelton was a truck driver and a general’s chauffeur at Fort Eustis, Virginia.
SHELTON BILLY E
SERVICE: A
RANK: E05
DOB: 461102
EDLEV: 12
HOMEREC: TX
PMOS: 0064B2O
SMOS: 0064C2O
STOP: 700702
TAFMS: 033
YOS_SEP: 03
64B
DISPATCHER
HEAVY VEHICLE CREWMAN
HEAVY VEHICLE DRIVER
64C
CHAUFFEUR
DOCUMENTATION SERGEANT
DRIVER TEST SERGEANT
Shelton has begun writing a book about his career, reportedly with a six-figure advance from the publisher. The book was supposed to be released the last week of January, but it seems to have hit a snag. Probably because the publisher found out that Shelton didn’t do three tours of Vietnam as a Special Forces operator
Shelton was in Vietnam from May 68 until Feb 69 according to his records;
As you can see, he was a truck driver while he was stationed in Vietnam, not that there’s anything wrong with that, but it doesn’t give him the right to lie to teenagers. There was a single tour of Vietnam, not the three tours he’s bragged about.
Here are his awards and education;
No Special Operations training, no jump school, not even a CIB.
I wrote this particular phony soldier story months ago, but I’ve sat on it until now because it was not meant to embarrass anyone except Billy Shelton and to prevent his fake story from going any further than it has gone. In the event that anyone else gets the idea of helping Shelton make a buck on his deceit, this is will be on Google to prevent that check from clearing.
They never pretend to be cooks or clerks…or a truck driver.
Category: Phony soldiers
Except that this is not a simple lie or mistake. This is him pretending to be something he is not and lie about being some place that he was not.
While his actions in helping people is commendable and should not be ignored. It should not be ignored that he pretended to be a Special Forces Sergeant and claim extra tours that he did not do. Also regardless what they wanted it is still a lie. A lie that he was about to make 35,000 dollars on the the blood sweat and tears of those who passed and served as real Special Forces. Those who served multiple tours as combat vets. All of gain with none of the suffering. Again this is not just a “simple” mistake.
I spent 14 months in Iraq, while not Vietnam I can tell you that is has not caused me to inflate my military service. Again while he served honorable with one tour, consider this. What about the people that where still in Vietnam when your husband claimed he was there when in reality was home safe in the United States doing a job that he never was qualified to do. If he was such a hard charger then why did he not go to Q school?
Yet despite all of this you want us to view this as a simple white lie like when a kids gets caught eating cookies before supper.
I dont judge your husband and he seems to have been doing good work for these young men. I know the book will not be published but is there anyway I can get a copy or information about the workout? Thank you.
Ed Darack’s Assault on Luttrell’s Integrity…
Ed Darack has decided to take his distaste for others public. He has attacked Marcus Luttrell, Patrick Robinson, and Gary Williams, along with their books, the SOF community, and anyone that dares provide a different narrative of Operation Red Wings th…
It doesn’t materr if he was or wasn’t he got to brothers through bud/s and thts something
Spoken like someone who never served a day in uniform. Maybe if Shelton hadn’t stood to profit both personally and financially from his pack of lies. He didn’t do it for Luttrell or his brother; he did it out of selfishness and it had the unintended side effect of motivating the Luttrells. But that reflects on the strength of Luttrells’ character, not Shelton’s.
@Scott: Your post makes it sound like you think Shelton planned this all along.
No, I think he planned on making himself sound like a hardass to anyone who would listen; that’s what I meant by personal profit. The financial profit was just dumb luck as a result of his completely coincidental association with the Luttrells. And obviously he didn’t care to admit he was lying all along, since he apparently accepted money from the publisher in exchange for his bullshit story.
I’m not condoning the perpetuation of a lie; it’s wrong. But the passage from the book makes no mention of how Luttrell–or anyone–came to believe Shelton was a Green Beret sergeant.
But I still don’t understand how “making himself sound like a hardass to anyone who would listen” equates to profit.
A young Luttrell respected Shelton & he used that to help the kid take his first tangible steps to realize his dream. Years later, he went wrong when he even entertained the idea of a book. Not when he helped a 15 year old kid. There was no profit in that.
“Sometimes the things that may or may not be true are the things that a man needs to believe in the most.” -Second Hand Lions.
I have read a lot of the comments, one said he received 100k for his book, that is not correct, he received 35k, check with Bantam the publishers. Jonn and Hornfisher (the writer are good friends). The book was never about money, Hornfisher approach Billy via Marcus. There were things the writer added himself that were not true, he pushed Billy very hard, wanted more than just the work out, Billy spent hours on the phone with the writer, it was never enough. This was never about money I don’t care what any of you say. He loves those boys like they were his own. When Marcus got out of the Navy he took his truck to him to use for about 3 mos til he decided what kind of truck he wanted. He loaned him our car to go visit the governor, if Marcus needed him he would drop whatever he was doing and go to him. Billy has helped other kids too, and they all are grateful. He can’t undo the wrong, but some people feed off of things that people like Jonn has written. We attended Marcus’s wedding, we talk with Morgan, so all of you contact them and get their opinion on the matter and settle this!
So, now Jim Hornfischer is to blame? Please. From what I heard, Billy told Jim that he fought alongside with Morgan in Iraq and even fired a weapon. THAT ridiculous lie could have had Morgan kicked off the SEAL team. I heard a few other far fetched stories that Billy put in there, as well. Placing blame on Jim is yet another lie of Billy’s.
Wow, the man doesn’t even have the common decency to speak for himself? He has to send his woman to reply? Think maybe he has been instructed to by a lawyer or the publisher perhaps? Maybe, but he could still be a man and set things straight. I lost all respect for the guy after reading this and I feel genuine sympathy for the Luttrell brothers. For they were deceived. Sure, he may have inspired them – but it was all based on a bold faced LIE. He could’ve just lied by omission – which wouldn’t have been nearly as bad and would’ve almost been acceptable. The book could’ve said – “Former vet who inspired Morgan and I. Served in Vietnam and is still a hard ass who knows what it would take to become Special Forces.) So instead of just leaving out a few details, or giving a generalized story to what appears to be his entire town, it would appear that he is not only a liar but a fraud. How pathetic. I’m sure the publisher would be glad to tell a random person how much money was given to Billy Shelton to write the book. (read: sarcasm.) Be it $35K or $100K, it’s irrelevant. Whether or not the writer of the book wanted more information or not is equally irrelevant. The fact that the man’s wife replies for him, attempting to blame a writer for her own husbands own lies and fraud, is ludicrous. Are you somehow suggesting that the writer was attempting to coerce Billy into lying and making up stories that never happened?? The fact is – according to the claims and evidence presented on this page – he [Billy] was and still is living a complete lie. He could’ve just told the truth and said he was a hard ass who knew who to physically condition someone to become a Special Forces soldier. That would have achieved the same goal. To me though, and IMHO – he sounds like a typical southerner out in the boonies who seemed like God to these kids at… Read more »
I posted the above comment under “Anonymous.”
Well, the name is John Cronan and my email is cl2332@hotmail.com in case you want to reply to me.
Worst day in SF history today – 2011 August 06 …we lost just too many many of our brothers in combat. More than what were lost while looking for Lattrell and his fellow Seals. By nearly double. So tragic. Even just one of those lives was priceless. Lattrell’s team is mentioned in almost every news story about this helicoptor crash.
It saddens me to read these post, Billy Shelton is my father. He is the most amazing father, loving and caring man you have ever met. He is a REAL person, he is husband, a father, a grandfather, a friend and a mentor. He would do and has done anything for anyone whenever they asked, or didn’t. He has done more for young kids, his community and his country then I am sure most of you have. He has spent half his life training and mentoring young men and women for all sorts of things, not just military related. Yes mostly military and there are allot of men actively serving in the military now that have been under his training sacrificing their lives for your freedom today. He has been the father figure for many who didn’t have a father or one that just wasn’t around. You sit here behind your computers and pass judgment on my father, on my family, how dare you. None of you know him, you want to know the real Billy Shelton, ask someone that knows him, they will tell you what a great man he is. Everyone hears how brutal Hollywood can be, you can’t believe all of what you hear, many of you don’t know the whole truth only of what is being said. Will this is what I am saying, his daughter, you don’t know my father, don’t speak of what you don’t know, these words effect everyone who knows and loves him, you don’t. Don’t sit and pass judgment on my father or my family. Only the people that know him can do that, they know what’s right in there heart, one man will judge and that man is not you.
But Dody, do you deny the underlying events? He lied about being SF, and that is what this post documented. If we concede that he has been great for the community, are you prepared to admit that your dad lied to all of us?
And I would point out that I know someone personally who your Dad told his lies to. I can present him anytime, but maybe you could address how the phony story ended up in Marcus’ book?
Patient: “Doctor, it hurts when I go like this.”
Doctor: “Well, don’t go like that!”
I am not speaking for my father, I am speaking for myself, that is what my post was for. I am telling the people that don’t know him not to pass judgement. Do you have children TSO? Do you have family? How much do they mean to you, what ends of the earth would you go to protect them? This is MY FATHER and I will stand by his side FOREVER as he would, does and will stand by the ones he loves!
1) I was in New York on September 11, 2001 (True)
2) I was in Lower Manhattan on September 11, 2001 (Sort of true. I was in Manhattan but not Lower Manhattan)
3) I was at the WTC on September 11, 2001 (False)
4) I was a fireman at the WTC on September 11, 2001 (False)
At #2 and #3, I have lied but done no harm to anyone. But that all changes at #4. Now, I have crossed the line and I am allowing others (without my saying another word) to infer that I was exposed to great danger or that I more likely than not did something extraordinary, if not heroic. I now invite admiration that I neither earned nor deserve. It matters not whether I am a loving this or a loving that, a volunteer coach, trainer or anything else. Nor does it matter that I did not take a dime for my lies. What I have stolen no price can be affixed to. I have stolen another’s honor. That is my crime. And that, to me, is what Stolen Valor is all about.
2-17AirCav put it about as succinctly as it can be put. The truth is the truth and a lie is a lie. Period.
This post isn’t about you, Dody, it’s about the rest of us. I don’t understand how Billy Shelton’s lies are mitigated by how well he treated everyone else EXCEPT more honorable veterans. We’re the ones who were harmed here. Don’t we have the right to deal with that? We’re not the ones to blame here. I’ll bet you’d be less pleased with the alternatives to public humiliation.
Be careful what you say people if your going to say something about Billy you might want to make sure its 100% true..!!!!!!
What Is Defamation of Character?
Defamation is FALSE and unprivileged spoken words or WRITTEN publication, which exposes any living person to hatred, contempt, ridicule, or which causes him/her to be shunned or avoided, or which has a tendency to injure him/her in his/her trade.
What are the elements of a defamation claim?
a publication to one other than the person defamed;
a FALSE STATEMENT of fact;
So if any of you have said something that is FALSE about Billy you might want to remove your comment….If you have said something about Billy that your not sure if its true or not to be on the safe side you still might should remove your comment…and from here on out choose your words carefully
Defamation of Character: You might want to save your legal advice (shithouse lawyer) for someone who needs it.
A few questions.
1. Who are you?
2. I care because?
3. And your going to do… what?
I have to admit that this would have been perfect if you did this two days ago. Also empty threats and boosts are so unbecoming.
DOC comes in almost 3 months late to the party and wants to lay down the dreaded insinuation of legal action?
Stop it, I’m getting scared!
All those that have threatened lawsuits, bodily harm, etc. form up to the left.
Jonn; maybe you should think about doing a post on just how many people have have threatened the whole lawsuit thing and put a few of the best ones in as examples and how they all turned out?
So, lemme guess–you’ve been taking legal advice from Sealy McChippendale? You’re gonna sue us all for Internet libelslander?
Newsflash, asshole. I’m not a legal scholar, but for a charge like that to stick, the statements made here have to be 1–knowingly false, 2–cause damage, 3–posess malicious intent.
So far, you’re batting .000, so please go play hide and go fuck yourself.
THE SHELTONS ARE STILL FRIENDS WITH THE LUTRELLS AND EVERYTHING IS FINE …NONE OF YOU KNOW THE WHOLE STORY OBVIOUSLY EVERYTHING IS FINE OR THE SHELTONS WOULDN’T HAVE BEEN AT MARCUS’S WEDDING
you people act like you have never told a lie before every single one of you on here has told a lie….so your no better….a lie is a lie rather you tell it to your mother your father or a stranger a lie is a lie period dot the end we have all made mistakes…so stop bitching about billy lying when every single one of you has lied…..half of you people on here are lying about him and the story some of its true and some of the stuff yall say is just lies!! so yall are no better
I LOVE BILLY SHELTON HE SUCH A SWEET MAN
WE LOVE BILLY <3
MY NAME IS Jonn Lilyea AND IM A FAG AND I LIKE BIG COCK AND PENIS IN MY MOUTH ……I CANT GET ENOUGH OF IT BLACK WEINER IS MY FAVORITE
LOVE—-Jonn Lilyea
JONN IS DEFIANTLY NOT A FAG HE HAS A WIFE AND OBVIOUSLY THAT WASN’T ENOUGH CAUSE I HEARD HE CHEATED ON HER LIKE 5 YEARS AGO WITH HIS COWORKER THAT DOESN’T SOUND LIKE A FAG TO ME
Billy has a heart of gold and this attack on him is beneath all SF members. Tearing down someone else to build yourself up is a cheap shot and speaks to a lack of focus on more important things.
I know for a fact that everything said on here is 100% accurate. The only liar is still…Billy Shelton. He’ll never come completely clean to his family or himself. He’s lied for so long, he started believing his own lies were truth.
u dont know shit some of the stuff on here is true but some of it is not….the check for example was not for 100,000 it was for alot less …was the check made out to u? fuk no it wasnt so therefore you dont anything is 100 percent accurate…so u can take your little 100percent accurate and shove it up your ass… noone knows the whole story except him and his family…you little bitch you dont know anything for a fact..and every damn one of you on here has told a lie before so shut the hell up yall act like yall are perfect and have never told a lie before…”you know everything is a 100percent accurate” lol u dont know shit bitch
look at all you fucktards on here bitching about billy telling a lie….yall act like yall have never lied before….yall are a bunch of dumb ass’s…yall are probably just jealous your not friends with the lutrells lol
Wow, some people are really butthurt over the truth, aren’t they? Tell ya what, why don’t you call up Jonn and threaten a lawsuit? That oughta work. Hell, I’m not sure it’s even been tried yet (today).
Lying about how many beers I had so the wife wouldn’t bitch at me? Maybe. But lying to get my name in a book and a nice fat check? Nope, never did it. Note the difference.
And no, I don’t personally know the Lutrells, and I’m sure they’re great people, but I’d be willing to bet that the old, “honor, courage, commitment” bit does in fact mean something to them. Yes, they still owe the motivation it took to get through BUD/S to him, but don’t fool yourself–that relationship took a hit when the truth about Billy Shelton came out.
For the record, ALL of these trolls on this post are the same person.
Surprise, surprise, Jonn. Here comes the Internet lawyer brigade now.
Gee, I figured that there was suddenly a grassroots support effort on behalf of Sgt. Rock. The funny thing is that the multi-tag poster has resurrected this story for new eyes to see. That’s brilliant.
jonn u little bitch stop deleting the comments i say about u ….billy cant delete his……stop being a little pussy and being all butt hurt and deleting the comments….just cause u got picked on in school and take it up the ass doesnt mean u have to pick on other people to make yourself feel better.
jonn lilyea is a black cock sucking bitch
Wah. Wah. “Billy can’t delete his.” Thanks again for keeping this Billy Shelton story alive, Troll. Time for a recap:
“Billy Shelton had been lying to the Luttrell brothers – he’d never been in the Special Forces. According to records, Specialist Five Shelton was a truck driver and a general’s chauffeur at Fort Eustis, Virginia.”
I wonder. Did Billy say “Fill ‘er up and check the oil” to someone or did perform that highly classified task himself?
Billy: “General, this road is rough. May I suggest an alternate route, sir?”
General; “Shut up and keep driving!”
Billy: “Yes, sir.”
o my goodness billy lied …thats a horrible crime cause none of us have told a lie before…lol……the lutrells and him and still the best of friends billy attended the wedding….your just jealous of him…..
Billy: “May I ask the general a question?”
General: “I said shut the hell up and keep driving! And don’t say another word, not a word!”
Billy:
yall are the only people making a big deal of this and thats cause yall dont know the whole story…morgan, marcus and billy are still friends …..
ok billys job has nothing to do with this your degrading his job in the military which is disrespectful b/c there are tons of ppl who had/has same job as him and your degrading and being disrespectful to them to now
General: “Are you friggin’ whistling, driver?”
Billy:
General: “Pull over.” [Billy pulls over]
General: “Now, get out.” [Billy gets out and the general pulls away.]
Billy: One day, I’ll show him! One day I’ll be known all over and nobody will even know his name!
AirCav, you ARE on a roll tonight.
Oh, and Troll, it’s Jonn’s blog, he can leave up or delete anything he wants, but don’t worry, he’ll let you make an ass of yourself for years, if you so desire.
And because we know you can’t use a dictionary, Troll, here’s the definition of projection, because you seem to be projecting in #90. Psychological projection or projection bias is a psychological defense mechanism where a person(Troll) subconsciously denies his(Troll) or her own attributes, thoughts, and emotions, which are then ascribed to the outside world, usually to other people.
me use a dictionary lol look at some of your punctuation dumb ass
Yeah, UpNorth, just having a bit of fun. The Troll can’t seem to comprehend that the issue had already fallen into the archives until it put the issue front and center again. I agree that a dictionary seems beyond its grasp. Can you imagine it trying to pronounce psychological? Egads, man!
air cav, how about u leave your number on here and ill call and pronounce it for you? or you can hide behind the computer and talk shit like everyone else on here