Tim Poe: America’s Got Stolen Valor?
Editor Note: This post is stuck to the top of the blog, scroll for newer posts.
UPDATE x4: The audio interview with Tim Poe is up, it starts around 110 or so. Also more media coverage about this at Fox.
“I had volunteered for a team to go out and clear buildings and help out with the wounded,” Poe said during a taped interview on the show. “There was a guy who come up with a rocket-propelled grenade. I saw it coming down, and by the time I turned and went to jump on top of my guys, I yelled `grenade’ and the blast had hit me.”
It seems that Yahoo is reporting it as well.
NBC had no comment on the story, but if proven true, these accusations could turn a feel-good story into a serious scandal for the network. At the very least, it sounds as if someone at NBC didn’t do their homework before broadcasting Poe’s story into millions of homes. Poe got three “yes” votes from the judges and will presumably continue on in the competition; we’ll have to see how “Talent” addresses these very serious allegations in the weeks to come.
UPDATE x3: It seems that America Got Talent has finally responded about his military background. Thanks Chris for the link.
Got a second link to the America Got Talent about a ex-wife that talks about his past. Thank you to Parachute Cutie for the link.
UPDATE x2: I just spoke with a Major at the MN National Guard PAO who confirmed this press release. If he did all this heroic type crap, it wasn’t with this unit anyway, and he was assigned to the National Guard during the time he is claiming. So, unless he served in 2 units AT THE SAME TIME, this guy is full of crap. (cue Doggy Dog and his apology to me now.)
UPDATE: Insert Ace of Spades glowing skull here….
From a commenter, I have not verified yet, but this matches the other info leaked to me:
STATEMENT FROM THE MINNESOTA NATIONAL GUARD
~~ Attributable to Lt. Col. Kevin Olson, Spokesman for the Minnesota National Guard ~~
Sgt. Timothy Michael Poe served in the Minnesota Army National Guard from Dec. 3, 2002 until May 26, 2011, and performed as a supply specialist.
His military records indicate that he served with the Minnesota National Guard in Kosovo from Oct. 10, 2007 until July 15, 2008, and was deployed to Afghanistan from July 28, 2009 to Aug. 30, 2009.
Sgt. Poe’s official military records do not indicate that he was injured by a grenade in combat while serving in Afghanistan in 2009, as he reports. The Minnesota National Guard can also confirm that he was not awarded the Purple Heart Medal for wounds sustained in combat.
Have emailed the LTC, will update when confirmed. (The LTC emailed me back and gave me a second confirmation on this press release.)
Original post:
According to this cat, he got hit by an RPG which led to TBI and a stuttering issue….
That same thing happened to me, or just about the same. I got hit with an RPG, but I was quick enough to catch it in my teeth, and though it exploded, all it gave me was an aching priapism. But, I spit out the remains of that RPG thing and yelled at the dude that shot me, “Oh man, you done screwed a Royal goat now!” And I called on teh power of Greyskull and Odin to help me. They were both busy, but Odin sent the Valykries who picked me up, one under wach arm, and a third carrying my prodigous member, and they flew me around the battlefield to smite mine enemies with major smitage. Then I cut off all their earlobes and made a really cool lampshade.
And, according to a host of folks showing up all over the ‘net today, my story is apparently just as factually based as this numbnuts…
Ole Poe here has one defender..
Benjamin A Beers
Really people don’t you think the show would do there research before televising his addition as well as the network. The net work dose full on back grounds on the contestant and there stories before the show even comes out let alone be put on air and I’m sure if your story was true about Tim Poe the US Military would of already came out to say he lying after all these addition were over a month ago. I do respect and support are troops but this just seems like bullying to me.
Um, no. I doubt they do any research at all. How many times has there been a contestant that appeared on some dopey reality TV show and then weeks later they have to boot them for porn or a criminal record? This publicity will only make more people tune in.
I’m going to go out on a limb here and declare this one busted. I have a friend who met this guy and said s/he suspected Poe was full of shite from minute 1. Either that gut instinct was right, or someone went through a lot of effort to invent people in the 114th transportation company and their Facebook pages.
Now, if you don’t mind, I’m heading out with my Valykrie friends for some BBQ and Mead in Valhalla.
UPDATE: ok, so now we have like 15 gazillion people coming from Facebook, so since the vast bulk are new to TAH, better explain some back story….
1) I have a source on this I trust implictely.
2) there are 15 names of folks from his unit that are on the Facebook page. I suppose it is possible they are all plants, but that would be one hell of an effort, since I went to each individual Facebook page, and they were all started WELL before yesterday.
3) I have documentation showing his claims of having a Bronze Star and a purple heart. Other folks are emailing and PMing me that these are not accurate.
Is this guy’s story real? I wasn’t with him, but gun to the head and Occum’s Razor suggest no. In order for his story to be real, there is a serious effort afoot to malign him. Is it possible? Sure. Is it likely, no.
This stuff happens to us all the time. See for example Sergeant Major Mailahn who was the “youngest Marine Corps sergeant major in history.” We outted him, he threatened legal action, and months later admitted he was full of crap.
Would I like more info on this guy? Absolutely. For some reason all the principals have gone silent on this. I am told it is because the command of that unit told them to shut up for now as they work on a press release. I’d feel better with that press release, but go to the link I put in above. Come to your own conclusion, I’m just some dopey dude blogging. You have access to the folks saying he was lying, and his video. Assess for yourselves what you think.
Category: Phony soldiers
“…September 12th 2001…”
Now if he gets outed and is forced to make a public apology in front of just as large (or larger) an audience than the one he performed in front of the other night, it’ll be a start. But by no means will it be nearly enough.
Whoa, TSO, you have a doctorate? I must be dense for missing that. Way to go, Doc!
Well, JD, anyway. Still qualifies.
LOL, a Jurisdoctorate.
And for those who care, I was sworn into the Bar of Indiana at 8:36 this morning.
Wootage! Congrats man! Beer is on you!
If this one served and is telling tales, then he is a wanker and discipline is imperative. One thing to pretend you’ve been one of those, one of those who bore and tore hell. But to be a veteran and tell tales for benefit and slap your own brothers with lies, that is even more pathetic.
The regiment has a way of handling such matters and I am sure that some of my mates feel precisely the same.
Let the truth speak for itself and handle matters muccas!
A Soldier
D Sqn.
@55: Congrats!
Damn, I think Sniper may be on to something.
Make these fucksticks actually do what they say they did. Genius!
This goat f’ing, waste of human DNA has a whole hell of a lot of people to apologise to… His video went out today VA wide to all their Therapy Professionals by someone who felt this guy was an honest to goodness success story to share. I am not sure if it was based on his comments on the video alone, or if he actually had some VA Medical Treatment (something the VAIG may be interested in visiting)…. If he got a disability based on his fairy tale, there is some Fed Jail time right there for him.
His video had a co-worker in tears as she watched it, mine even got a little misty. Then I read this and the rage came. When I told her that he was a fake… it hurt, you could see that. One of the few I work with at the VA who truly loves their job helping Veterans.. She was pissed. I hope to hell he enjoyed his standing ovations, the rest of the attention he gets now will be much more deserved, and far more negative.
[…] according to This Ain’t Hell, the Major at the MN National Guard PAO has confirmed the above press release. There is just no […]
Fuck I hate these guys. I hope that music show does a special piece just on him and his bullshit.
Damn, TSO. Never figured you to be one who would succumb to the Dark Side. (smile)
Seriously: congrats, TSO. Congrats.
@55
I was sworn into the Bar of Indiana
Just can’t keep away from bars, can you? Do they at least have a good brew on tap?
Seriously, though… congratulations.
I say hand this asshat POE and his pal doggy dog each a bag of hot, smoking dicks. Good Lord, the fruit tree is full of ’em and ripe now…Congrats TSO! About time you do something with your degree or three, LOL.
Give Doggie a break, streetsweeper. Once the MN ARNG statement hit, he quit defending Poe and apologized. See comment #40 above.
The truth shall be reveal. I am just proud to say I do. All this started shortly after the airing. All I can say to all of you whom are sharing what you personally think to be truth and perhaps what you where told. BUT…. I know for a fact that our men and women whom are defenders of freedom DO NOT get sent home for an ear infection. Holly mosses, the military do not even send individuals home when they have gone 51/50(whacked out)until they kill 5 of their own, that is when the conditions are considered true. Again I know because I was there at the MWR that it happen at. The military has a stern saying” information is give ONLY on a need to know bases. Apparently the upper Leadership did not do there homework.
Well Mr Krause (KTFBC) perhaps you can explain then why his DD214 and his commanding officer and the PAO in charge of the MN National Guard all say it didn’t happen.
And perhaps you’d care to say what MWR?
You are a liar, and we all know it, so you can peddle this elsewhere. The ship has already sailed brother. (Poe never left KAF)
As I was, MRS Krause.
Also Mrs Krause, your LinkedIn profile states you were in Iraq when this happened, not Afghanistan. Want to keep playing this game? Or you want to come clear?
I am an American Patriot, I loved seeing and talking to all the men and women that came through my dining facility. We feed approx. 12,000-15,000 per meal. I, also have responded to the incoming and help those that could be helped. My heart goes out to all of you, but did you ever stop and think that perhaps he did not do this for himself, but to bring it to the American people and the Vets that have returned home injured too, that life doesn’t stop upon the return.
No problem Camp Liberty in 2007
Know the Facts: You’re full of it. People do get MEDEVACed out of theater for medical conditions unrelated to combat injuries. Happens all the time. I’ve personally seen it.
I lost a guy who had been slightly injured in 2007 when Medical Authorities found an unrelated problem and ordered him out of theater – and the out-of-theater medical folks ordered him returned to CONUS. I had a second try to “game” his way out of theater on a trumped-up medical issue when he went on R&R – an issue that could have been treated locally before he went on R&R in the first place, or after his return. Thankfully, the medical authorities didn’t buy that guy’s BS and sent his ass back to theater.
Bottom line: some guys guys get scared shitless when the realize deployment is the “real deal”. They decide to be a true “Blue Falcon”, game the medical system, and get sent home early. Others have a legitimate medical issue that cannot be treated in-theater and get sent home early. Sounds to me like Poe was one of the former.
No problem…. I have a sister that was contacted by the military while he was in Germany.
That is crap. I am on the Board of Trustees to an actual vets service group in San Antonio, and if you want we can go together and talk to actual wounded troops there or at BAMC and see how many of them feel honored by this guy lying on national TV about injuries he sustained there.
Trust me, I put a lot of work into verifying this, and don’t appreciate you accusing me of either lying or inadequately researching.
Pray tell which DFAC was hit with incoming RPG fire that you helped people in? Most of the indirect which has hit DFACs has been of the rocket variety, not the grenade variety.
Camp LIberty is not where he was allegedly injured, so how on earth is that bearing on this?
“Again I know because I was there at the MWR that it happen at.”
Ah, so you have no actual knowledge, and yet you use the name “KNOW THE FACTS”. Sure, that makes perfect sense.
If he is representing himself as being injured in combat and really is not how is that helping real wounded vet. By doing this people are going to be more suspicious of veterans when they say they are wounded. When that happens people help less and that hurts wounded veterans. So that is why I think that he did this for himself and no one else.
TSO, she claims on her FB page that Poe is her son. http://www.facebook.com/jkrause2005
I’m thinking there are more problems than just an “incoming RPG”…
This guy has been riding the circuit down here in Texas, telling his tale of combat wounds, and partaking in every charity event and program he can. The terrible thing is, he is probably eligible for all the rehab programs, and multitude of events and programs to help guys transition, but he couldn’t just be proud of his own story. He had to be an idiot, and now all his friends and family have to figure out how to get him back on track.
In response Yes I was in Iraq, but had just transferred back from Afghanistan. I was originally in Baghdad, then Kandahar, then Bagram, then Mossel…. I may have not spelled them right, because the mail does not use cities only APO.
UpNorth- Yeah, I saw that, was letting her hang herself with her own rope.
She knows he’s full of crap about the RPG nonsense, and still backed him. The whole family is pathological.
Good job on this, TSO. Most excellent.
And congrats.
In other news, anyone who thinks that bad publicity does veterans any good at all is loony toons.
NHS, my wife still asks for Cookie Puss ice cream cake every year for her birthday. I still remember Tom Carvel’s “I smoke 2 cartons of camel non-filtered a day” voice on those commercials. As for this fucktard, dude be proud of your service. You went, (more or less.) Aside from occassional IDF, no one thought I was worth shooting at, (they liked throwing rocks at me though.) Doesn’t diminish what my team and I did. We did our mission and left it better than we found it. Having had the displeasure of being shot at it in other places, I can’t say I’m sorry I didn’t repeat the experience. It’s sad. The Gunny Driveway’s of the world make me sick. the Poe’s of the world, who can’t stand on their own accomplishments are even worse.
@ “knowthefacts”… are you fucking kidding?? He did this for himself and himself alone. If in fact he turns on and off his stuttering at will, that alone means he is living this charade with a whole hell of a lot of premeditation. I cannot believe for one second any Vet would lie like he is for such altruistic reasons as you are willing to believe…
I have seen far too many Posers and Embellishers to believe it is for anything other than their own ego or wallet..
I have nothing but disdain and anger regarding this piece of shit, lying sack of shit honor thief.
I think he is not only a fraud, but that quite possibly he has committed fraud in the legal sense and I hope that comes back to bite him hard on the ass.
TSO, I agree she’s probably pathological, I’m not really sure about family. And, I’m totally not buying she ping-ponged from Iraq to the Stan, back to Iraq, and spent time in Mossel(sp). Jeanne, it’s Mosul.
Sporkmaster- in response…. There are so many Wounded Vets that come back thinking life is over and I have been with some of them that are on the “Wounded Warriors Program”. I believe the point is this and bottom line – they too watch these programs and I feel it gives them hope. Perhaps, they think I can do it too and /or get them thinking if he can do it maybe I could- HOPE is the word for many that are missing lims etc…. So all the bad mouthing that is going on how are we helping them?????
Uh, Krause . . . according to the MN ARNG, the only time Poe was in Afghanistan was in 2009. He was in Kosovo in late 2007 – mid 2008.
Now, when did you say you were “at the MWR when it happened”? Didn’t you say above that that was in 2007 – when Poe was either in CONUS or in Kosovo?
She has a bunch of “Poes” as her Facebook friend. The “mother” thing might be some form of honorific.
Stupid lying nimrod. Job well done TSO!
Is the whole family nucking futs? Wow….
Reminds me of that time I had to help settle this trade dispute, Naboo to Tatooine to Coruscant, and back to Naboo. That was one hell of a mission…
TSO – in response do you know all of his family??????
snicker.
Nichevo, now that needed a beverage alert.
@92, thank you, holy crap did that make me laugh. OMG was that funny.
TSO you think you know so much… You are right I do know allot of POEs… But before you let you butt overload your mouth get your facts straight. It was his brother that was in Kosovo, not Tim
TSO, glad to provide some amusement. @Know the facts, I don’t know the whole family. Is he related to Cameron Poe? That guy was one hell of a Ranger, hope he got a pardon after that whole airplane thing…
This may just rank among the most bizarre reactions from friends and/or family yet!
Is it time yet to referance the finding that all who pose as SEALs are sociopaths? May we extrapolate that the same most likely applies across the board to the other branches of service??
Would like to suggest that opening a posers’ friends and family competition be added to the festivities.
“I am an American Patriot,”…
I earned a CAB for engaging and being engaged by the enemy in Iraq, but I would never refer to myself as an “American Patriot,” but that’s just me.
“My heart goes out to all of you, but did you ever stop and think that perhaps he did not do this for himself, but to bring it to the American people and the Vets that have returned home injured too, that life doesn’t stop upon the return.”
From my legal experience, this excuse is very similar to the justification offered by people accused of engaging in online child porn. They often like to offer the excuse that they were merely doing “research” or “trying to catch the real criminals” and were not out to harm anyone or break the law. Those excuses never fly in real court, and I highly suspect that they won’t fly here either.
If this guy really is your son, then I do feel bad that you have to face this issue, but I urge you not to make it worse for him and your family by trying to cover for him. Everyone here are human beings and can understand that you may be confused or have been taken in by someone whom you offer unconditional devotion. But the track that you’re taking is not helping anybody. Continue along these lines at your peril.