Thomas Zuck
I’ve removed this post because some of the things that have come to light. A lot of it can be blamed on a journalist who wanted to punch up her story for a local audience. I have saved the post that I wrote in the event further investigation doesn’t pan out. But I don’t want to destroy someone who doesn’t deserve it.
Added 06-08-2016
Category: Phony soldiers, Valor Vultures
Zuck? Yeah, I can see what’s coming with a name like that. I’m sorry that this Veteran thought so little of his service and himself that he saw the need to create a false history.(Shaking head from side to side here. And mumbling.)
If I ever do that, AirCav, just smack me, willya?
What?!?!? But I thought everyone in the army was a Sniper or a Ranger?
Of course they are, and everyone in the Navy is a SEAL. Did you see that T shirt that says “I’m the SEAL Who Did Not Kill Bin Laden!” ?
Love it!
Not me, just a SeaBee!!!
ARCOM and MOH same thing right.
I think their is an reserved parking spot at the P.X for ARCOM recipient’s.
Yeah, it’s somewhere in the middle, next to the army achievement medal spot, which is next the shopping cart rack, which doubles as a place to park your bicycle if you have a national defense service medal.
FUCK ZUCK, he has a record to be proud of all by itself but HE JUST HAD to shit all over it, himself, and his reputation by LYING.
^^^WORD^^^
Can I get an AMEN from the congregation on those heartfelt words from Brother API?
AMEN!
AMen,
Arcom-V and a C.A.B. ?
They didn’t give those out to us just for showing up on the Fob. ( Unless you were a CSM or a field grade 😀 )
What a shlub.
Amen. A good record, sullied by lies that weren’t necessary.
Amen, halleluah, and warm up the choir!
YOU GUYS –
I’ll just leave this here:
There once was a man named Zuck
He was a fraudulent lying fuck
He got pretty down on his luck
Drank DRG Cock-tails for a buck
Still waiting for you to at least acknowledge the two-part explanation I provided in answer to your request.
You’re right. Acknowledged, and I apologize myself, for getting that fired up. I have a buddy in my area, an army medic, who constantly gives me shit about the AF. Guses I just don’t like the suggestion that we’re second class, is all. Again, my apologies
Thanks. Never happened as far as I am concerned.
USAFvet509, as an Air Force veteran myself, I understand and share your sentiment. However, the USAF we served in is no more. It has gone to hell in a handbasket of micromanagement, backstabbing, and politcal cronyism. Granted, due to the socio-political climate we live in, the other services have their issues, but I don’t think any of them is as far gone as the Air Force.
You’d be surprised
?????
Imagine this. I am coming to the defense of the Air Force! No service. None. Is more screwed up than the Navy, at least when it comes to eagerness to advance social causes. Yes, that civilian AF Sec whatshername is looking forward to transgender airmen but, believe you me, the Navy will not rest until it is first in that great cause of our time.
Yep…
Lying shitstain, not much else to say…
Why, God? Why is it never enough for these fuckers?
This turd just got zucked in the ass.
Loser.
Again, many have said it..
Suck has what I consider a flawless record. Served honorably, combat arms, earned some medals, became an NCO, left alive.
WTF isn’t that enough?
Just another valor-stealing Zuck-off.
Well since “Fuck” has been covered quite liberally I’ll just say, Thomas “You SUCK” Zuck.
Dude what the fuck?
Everything honorable that you did in those records fucked because you’re a lying sack of shit….why?
Why couldn’t being what you are be enough?
You did an honorable service, the nation was grateful that you were that man who stepped up and served under hostile fire earning you CAB…
Nietshze said it best when he said, “I’m not upset that you lied to me, I’m upset that from now on I can’t believe you.”
How many ARCOMs with the V device have been issued the last 15 years.. my last count was around 700 probably on the high side… So why in the F??? would one want to crap all over ones service
Your a hero already no need to become a POS !!!!
I know of at least 20 plus folks that should have rated a CAB and didn’t and don’t give a shit, plus a PH.
And your running your service in the ground because you want free shit WTF is your issue. Bro ?????
According to HRC about 8445 ARCOMs /V during the GWOT. Lots of troops doing lots of good things.
https://www.hrc.army.mil/TAGD/Awards%20and%20Decorations%20Statistics%20by%20Conflict
‘HOOT’?
Oh he can fuck right off.
That’s one fucked up looking DD214! Unknown service status, dates of service unknown, blank spaces in assignments, etc. I’m not doubting that he’s stealing valor here, but out of curiosity, does anyone know how one’s official record can end up so fucked up?
He didn’t ride herd on his records clerk.
^ THIS ^
When I got out at the end of ’01, The personnel Lt showed me the draft of my DD214 Woobie. Home of record, MEP station, decorations and time in service were ALL from the guy before me
If he hasn’t posted in here yet, I’m sure he, or a sock puppet will very soon. I posted this link in one of the groups he is in. Not only did he see it, he responded saying the classic ‘Wasn’t me’ defense.
Which is a variation of “Da other guy did it.” defense.
It wasn’t me. I didn’t do it. And I’ll never do it again.
Cocksucker.
I find this hilarious. I was the guide of the hunt, giving back and sharing my passion with wounded warriors.
The guys on the hunts were the ones with Purple Hearts.
I didn’t talk to any journalists, nor made any claims, I was just the guide on the hunt for them.
As you can see my military record is clean, of which I am proud of. I respect what stolen valor and this ain’t hell do, but this is sloppy…
Drag my name through the mud, I can take it…
Carry on…
Tom – why haven’t you contacted the South Platte Sentinel and and ask them to correct the story? That would clean things up and I’m sure Jonn would be more than happy to post the correction on TAH (he has posted updates and corrections to stories before).
I’m working on it, I didn’t even know an article existed or that a journalist talked to the wounded warriors after the hunt, as I left immediately to drive to Canada for another hunt. This hunt/article took place 4-5 years ago…
Good luck, I hope you get them to print a update to the story or a correction to it.
I’ve seen the local fishwrap do this too often, even on stories concerning simple stuff, like an obituary.
Tom… I’m willing to step out of line here and go to bat for you on this..
I know about 7 folks that know who you are because because of what you guys do..
And I know how the media works if there is a big group around statements don’t get reported correctly.. it happened to a buddy of mine a few years ago..
it got fixed..
I actually spoke with the writer of the article. She said she did not remember interviewing the participants, only the organizer of the event Curt. I’m beginning to think it was him who quoted what each participant’s injuries, and awards were.
If the organizer of the event was the person the reporter talked to, where did he get his info from? I’m sure he just didn’t make it up. I am also curious if there was a form that had to be filled out for this event. If I can establish contact with the Curt guy, i’ll ask
It’s obvious he screwed the pouch on this no one here has made a mistake…
I’ve been hanging around here to long, the work here is to transparent.
It just makes me sick as hell to think someone with a valor award would piss it all away. But I’m not surprised anymore either…
This was all too easy to clear up.
Turd.
Tom Zuck – The newspaper was contacted and they said that they received zero complaints as to the accuracy of the article. Are you saying that you had no knowledge that you were on the front page of the newspaper?
Now that you know – aren’t you outraged that they would print such a thing? Or do you still find it hilarious?
Tom Zuck – Do you tell people that you were a sniper?
People around where you live have reported that you tell the story often that you were a sniper.
Snipe-Hunter dammit!
The reporters always seem to leave out a couple of letters…
Yes I still find it hilarious. It’s laughable the extent people will go to put people on blast. The writer of the article admits that she didn’t speak to the participants, only the organizer. Again I was only the guide on the hunt. The organizer is the landowner, he takes all sorts of vets and youth hunting, and is one of the best men I’ve ever met. I participate in those hunts to give back to the sport and share my passion for waterfowl. Most days I don’t shoot and only call birds in for the hunters. I’ve never sought any sort of gain…
I’ve never claimed anything that didn’t actually happen during OIF 1 and 3, I have many of my battle buddies and NCO’s that vouch for my integrity.
Any stories I ever told was to break tensions with the hunters, to establish a rapport, so they can feel at ease and enjoy the hunt, I never put any stories out there for anything other than that.
Some people will understand what is going on here, and for others nothing I can say or do will matter, they’ll take this article as absolute truth.
I was never contacted by anyone about this before sandman posted it in a cav group. It’s all unsubstantiated, and although my reputation and some relationships my be slightly tarnished because of it, what relationships I have that matter will remain unweathered. I don’t feel any further need to vindicate myself…
I actually believe you.
Partially due to how you write, and partially due to the fact that I loathe lazy reporting.
People just don’t fill in the blanks like that – especially with that specificity. Sniper, first into Afghanistan, shrapnel in hip and kidneys, two PHs and a MOH.
If it would have been me, I’d be on the phone getting the newspaper to retract that article, but that’s just me. I guess you’re OK with letting that information out there, then in turn criticize anyone that takes it at face value.
I guess in 100 years, you will be famous again as someone goes through newspaper archives and figures they missed a Medal of Honor recipient from Iraq (or Afghanistan, I forget which).
Maybe it’ll be one of your grandchildren that want you to get the recognition that you deserved and were passed over for. Maybe they’ll do a special ceremony and honor you with a hometown monument?
I’m glad that at least you find it hilarious.
I don’t disagree with your sentiment, I’m working on getting it taken down, again it was from 4 1/2 years ago that I was not aware of until today…
Just spoke with the paper, the author of the article doesn’t work there any more, I was instructed to write a letter to the editor regarding the misinformation in the article and send it via snail mail…
Might take some time to get it taken down, standby keyboard warriors
I can vouch for Tom. He’s an honorable wonderful guy that served our country. The story was written after the fact and probably pieced together by a high school journalist. We live in a very small town so I know the article was just a feel good type of story never meant to cause any harm, especially to Hoot.
DUDE WTF!!! lol Sorry this shit is prob causing a headache for you… This was just posted on the cav page so Im sure the boys will hop on and clear the smoke..
Scouts out!
So when you say “Any stories I’ve ever told was to break tension with hunters…” and so on, is that you saying you have made up stories just to make them feel more at ease?
I personally know Tom Zuck. A fine individual whom I shared time with in Iraq. I knew there had to be some miscommunication here because Tom is the epitome of integrity. GARRYOWEN Trooper.
I served with Sgt Zuck C Troop 3/7 Cav and he is the real deal. If anything the service record posted is missing his OIF 3 deployment. He served in my Sister Scout Platoon and He’s the real deal. Sucks that the article came out in that manner but it’s becoming a too common thing Nowadays. I saw somebody posted this in a our 3/7 group and we all think it’s funny..
Sooooo…to you who are defending him, what’s up with the TWO Purple Hearts? They’re not on his records.
Marine_7002. I’m trying not to defend him ?
I’m stunned that someone with boots on during that time with a ARCOM W/V
Would throw it all away they didn’t hand those out like BSMs also
Know a few people that have gone on hunting trips with that outfit
That have stated he is a straight shooter. Now obviously what they have seen is deferint then what others have seen and known. The work done here speaks for it’s self and as I’ve learned very through. I never doubt that ever I’m spinning in my head that one would F it all up.. But anymore not surprised
I apologize for the F’d up spelling ?
So, the dude goes on a hunt with a group called Wounded Warriors, but doesn’t really have wounds. Blames the newspaper for a fouled up story? The hunting trip sponsor made up a story and/or the newspaper got it wrong?
No. Dude lied his ass off to get some bennies, sympathy and attention.
Didn’t get the Wounded Warriors part did you son?
Some wounds are internal and not just on the outside. I think this is more of a journalist attempting to make a name for himself.
You have no clue what you’re talking about…
The journalist obviously dosent have the best knowledge of how the military works, seeing as he said “he won a Medal of Honor.” However, that is alot of claims for a journalist to just pull out of nowhere. I’d he didn’t say all that stuff then he is wrongfully accused, but if I had an article circulating the internet saying I recieved a Medal of Honor I would make sure that article was taken down immediately. I also don’t think that Jonn would just go putting stuff up without doing as much research as possible first.
Right on the money ????
It’s beginning to sound like this one needs to be thoroughly scrubbed. I can see a reporter getting info about the hunting trip from the trip coordinator. And with a number of people there, I can see the story getting screwed up. I suspect someone will be in a position to cross-check and verify (perhaps with some of the hunters?)that Tom was the guide.
Yeh… But he’s been running his mouth about two PHs and a bunch of other stuff I’ve seen enough done here when it comes to being through here the paper story is what may have started,
the investigation then other things popped up, the sniper story I would give a pass on because I’ve seen 11Bs and 19Ds get pulled to do it but I’ve never seen anyone ever talk about it or brag about it and I’ve meet a few and had to do the duty on a company level but training and veting was top and bottom complete, I was voluntold to do some work on a report for higher ups overseas on a incident and I’ve NEVER !!!!
Seen anyone come out and brag or talk abou it…
To me, this has nothing to do with the guide or the newspaper article.
Zuck goes on a hunting trip for Wounded Warriors knowing he isn’t one. That’s the issue I have with it. He obviously knew what the trip was and laid on some shit to get a free ride and fame.
This is not factual…he guided the hunt for my dad who organized it for the other soldiers. Hoot is a great friend of our family and unless you have the facts this is all just defamation of character.
Shanan – Let me get this straight. It is not defamation of character for your dad, who I presume to be Curt, to be quoted in the newspaper as saying that Zuck was first in Afghanistan, wounded, two Purple Hearts and a Medal of Honor. Both he and the paper get a pass on the defamation of character. BUT, and this is a big BUT, anybody that reads the paper and believes the statements were accurately captured – are accused of defamation of character?
And this is because why? Because they believed the statements or because they didn’t believe the statements? I think you are saying both, so anybody that has an opinion on the article is accused of defamation of character?
Let the article stand and let Curt’s statements stand — but don’t you dare comment on any of it or I’m going to stomp my feet and scream at the top of my lungs and suggest legal ramifications.
Give me a break! If you want to truly do something constructive don’t waste your time criticizing people that are reading and commenting on a published article… get your father to come on here and either back up the statements or apologize to Zuck for his misrepresentation of him. It’s either one or the other – Curt stands by his statements or he does not. Don’t criticize people for commenting on the article.
Pretty much another Brian “rump ranger” Culp. Honorable service with a combat deployment….. But noooooooooo – he had to go all wounded sniper on us! Stupid fucker!
Okay. Slow down. The name “Wounded Warriors” is being bandied about here but the org at with which Zuch hunts is not Wounded Warriors but Warriors Outdoors. There are several links available to that site through Google. One is dates and refers to Veterans and First Responders who suffered PTSD, as well as physical wounds. Another, a current one, doesn’t refer to wounds, physical or otherwise, at all. In other words, whether now or 4+ years ago, Zuch could have legitimately hunted with Warriors Outdoors. Just another factor to consider, Purple Heart issue aside.
I just visited the Military Phony page on Zuch and read it over. NOTHING comes from him, including the quoted lines from the newspaper story. And Mil Phony also seems not to realize that Warriors outdoors is not the same org, with the same qualifiers for membership, as Wounded Warriors. I am also influenced by Zuch’s comments here, They simply don’t strike me as what we are accustomed to seeing when outed phonies appear here. Then there’s the story, quite poorly written and referring to medal of honor, as opposed to the Medal of Honor or Congressional Medal of Honor. My bullshit gauge is either malfunctioning or it’s not but, if not, the needle isn’t moving.
From what I found out while researching who the news editor was that wrote up the story, it seems it may have been one of the last pieces she wrote before moving on to her job at the Sterling Chamber of Commerce.
Maybe the piece was her way of saying “I put in 20 years here at the paper and this is what I get for my effort? Fuck You Very Much!!”
But then again, maybe she had been writing articles like this one for 20 years and this is the one that broke the camel’s back.
Who knows?
The needle on my BS meter is quivering just a bit, but I think it’s directed at the writer of the article instead of the subject of this post. That article is such a hot mess that it is not possible to tell who other than the writer is responsible for the inaccuracies and confusion.
In the absence of any other evidence I am also inclined to vote not a phony. People make up stories based on half heard or half understood information all the time and you can’t always control what is said about you. Unless there is more information about this guy bigging himself up, it looks to me like he is the victim here.
2/17 Air Cav – With all due respect you may want to read the blog again over at Military Phony. There is a distinction between the term “wounded warriors” and “Wounded Warriors”, the first being lowercase and a general reference and the second being upper case and a formal noun suggesting an organization. At no time does the blog at MP mention either term in their write up. The only reference I see in in the graphic capture of the article itself – with the headline in caps of “Wounded Warrior”. To suggest that they do not know the difference between Wounded Warriors and Wounded Outdoors is not fair, as this distinction is neither muddled nor addressed in the blog writeup. It may be in the article itself, but how is Military Phony held accountable for that for merely posting the article for everyone to read – the newspaper article stands on its own and any direct or implied misrepresentation is on the newspaper. Also, MP made the correct reference to the Congressional Medal of Honor although and used awarded or received but stayed away from “won”.
Even in the article the term “wounded warriors” is used but may have been muddied when it was capitalized in the heading. They, meaning the newspaper, should have addressed the distinction in the article.
I take no offense at what you point out and I agree that the Wounded Warriors Project is not named at Mil Phonies. However, it is crystal clear that Mil Phonies concludes, asserts, or otherwise says that Zuch had access to hunting land because of his allegedly being a wounded warrior. If Mil Phonies had checked, and not relied solely on the newspaper article, it would have learned that the hunting forays are not restricted to wounded warriors. And as you will see from a few comments here, Wounded Warriors is the org some thought ran the hunting trips.
this is all stemming from someone who thinks I shouldn’t have access to some of the hunting I do. I have been invited on the hunts I’ve been on because I am a good hunter. Anything else is an assumption. Anyone who knows me knows that I put more than my fair share into these hunts, equipment, gas, working the lands in the summer etc. I don’t just show up and hunt like I’m on a free ride. I am not registered with warrior outdoors or any other organization. I have volunteered my hunting experience to hunts for other vets and youth. To say I’m in it for personal gain is an assumption.
I only discuss details of my service with my close family and friends, anyone else is making an assumption. These claims come from a poorly written article, that do not come from me. I am in the process of addressing the article with the sentinel.
Everything else is hogwash. I didn’t make any claims that weren’t true and furthermore there is no evidence of me doing so. Every case of stolen valor I’ve seen has photos or video of people making their claims. Third party hear-say, based on assumptions is hardly doing research, and if anyone considers it evidence, it’s anecdotal at best…
I’ve asked Jonn to take this down, but he refused. Either way, after the article is addressed I feel I’ve done my part, hopefully TAH and phony soldier will agree…
The way things are going right now, it may be in your best interest to have this thread stay where it is. I agree that nothing of the bullshit alleged sources to you and participation in a Warrior Outdoors hunt that is NOT restricted or limited to Purple Heart recipients is neither here nor there. So, as matters stand, the only item standing against you is that crappy newspaper article. The thing is, if somehow the paper removes it from the web–which is doubtful–it will establish nothing. But in the absence of any false claims attributable to you, I’d say the benefit of the doubt is yours, if only from my corner. If you know the fellow who was quoted speaking about you in the article, it might help if he could chime in here or to Jonn directly.
Sounds like you’re in the minority on this one. Looks like most of the regulars here have a hard-on to hang this guy based on a single article written by someone who self-evidently doesn’t have much grasp of things military.
Casey… not every one here has a hard-on to hang him we do debate and argue facts,
as I stated above I know folks that have done these hunts and a few that have met him. they vouch for him. 100%
At this point I agree with your assessment. We have no evidence of Zuck himself making any false claims about himself. More likely either Curt was confused or the reporter misunderstood what Curt said. So, barring further evidence coming to light, my current assessment is “Thomas Zuck: Warrior, Probably Not a Phony”.
One last point on this, at least for a while. A couple of years ago, I gave a featured phony the benefit of the doubt and had done so at least on one prior occasion. I was WRONG each time and the last time I swore up and down I would never do that again. Well, I’ve done it again. I guess that makes me a liar or soft in the head or something. So help me, if there is one source that traces Zuch’s Purple Hearts claim to him or the fellow quoted in the article says that Zuch did claim the Purple Hearts, I’ll flog myself and then let loose on Zuch like nobody’s business.
Word ^^^^^^
I’m a softy to Lol…
it’s amazing why anyone like this would trash all the hey have done !!!!!!
I’ve read both sides of this and I’d like to highlight something I don’t think has been touched on. If Tom Zuck has an ongoing relationship with Curt Pilkington, the owner of this hunting land and sponsor of the wounded veteran hunting program: 1) Why is Mr. Pilkington still under the ongoing impressiong that Zuck was the first into Afghanistan, has shrapnel in his hips and around his kidney, has two purple hears and a medal of honor? 2) Will it make a difference to Mr. Pilkington if he finds out that Zuck does not have those medals, those injuries or was not the first into Afghanistan? In other words, would it make a difference as far as allowing Zuck access to the hunting lands or using him as a guide for his program? This is based on the valid assumption that Mr. Pilkington saw the article and agreed with his quotes that were printed. The following represents my opinion on the matter: There is a remote possibility that Mr. Pilkington saw the article, realized he was severely misquoted but shrugged his shoulders and may have even found humor in it. Mr. Pilkington is listed as owning the business Pilkington Financial SVC LTD so he would have motive in spicing up the article. I’m not suggesting that he did, but merely stating that this is a remote possibility. There is also a remote possibility that Mr. Pilkington, like Tom Zuck, was not aware of the article nor did he see the printed version of the article. I think that the likelihood that both of these men missing the article is not possible. I would also venture to say that I do not but it when Tom Zuck said he was not aware of the article. They featured him in a photo and usually the photographer will identify themselves as well as speak to its intended purposes. The caption does read “Courtesy Photo” so it may have been provided by a 3rd party vs. the newspaper. That said, if I was just a guide and rarely even shot at prey, I… Read more »
Bottom line: this guy should have known.
Front page, front and center and he did not know.
The MOH claim is probably bs as reporters really do not have a clue but the PH claims more than likely came out of his mouth.
A few beers, trying to be cool and score some hunts, etc. Yeah.