Did you see the list of phony soldiers Rush Limbaugh speaks of?

Question

Phony Vets Scam more than $1.4 Million and Damage Image of Honorable Veterans
U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Sullivan today announced some of the results of “Operation Stolen Valor,” a year long effort to investigate and prosecute those who lie about their military service for financial gain or other reasons. Sullivan and Doug Carver, Special Agent in Charge of the Veteran’s Affairs Office of Inspector General detailed eight prosecutions in the Veteran’s Affairs Northwest Region in 2007.

“As a Vietnam Veteran, and the father of a decorated Army officer currently serving, I feel very keenly the damage done by Jesse Macbeth and these other fakes,” said Jeff Sullivan, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington. “Macbeth’s lies fueled hostility to our servicemen in Iraq and here at home. Those who falsely claim medals for heroism, cheapen the recognition of our true war heroes.”
“The ‘phony war hero phenomenon’ plagues the American landscape and tarnishes the service of thousands of veterans who have served honorably. It strangles VA resources from providing critical care and benefits to deserving veterans returning from war,” said Douglas J. Carver, Special Agent in Charge of the VA Office of Inspector General, Western Field Office. “It all boils downs to this: these phonies submit claims to the VA for compensation and medical benefits they are not entitled to, and it takes away valuable resources from those who are entitled.”
In a dozen cases under investigation in the northwest, the fraud totals more than $1.4 million. Eight of the cases have been publicly filed and are in various stages of being adjudicated:
*Jesse Macbeth, 23, Tacoma, Washington, sentenced today in connection with his fraudulent claims of military service. Macbeth sought medical benefits claiming to suffer from PTSD related to service in Iraq and Afghanistan, in fact, Macbeth was discharged from the Army about a month after he joined. Macbeth never traveled outside the U.S. with the Army. Macbeth duped reporters, claiming to be a decorated Army Ranger who had witnessed war crimes.
*Reggie Buddle, 60, Puyallup, Washington, sentenced July 30, 2007, for Unlawful Wearing of United States Military Medals and Decorations. Buddle posed as a decorated Marine Corps Chaplin presiding over weddings, funerals and baptisms. Buddle was sentenced to 500 hours of community service and two years of probation.

*Larry Lewis Porter, 52, Seattle, Washington, sentenced April 19, 2007, for Mail Fraud in connection with a scheme to fraudulently obtain disability benefits from Veterans Affairs. Porter was sentenced to 37 months in prison. Porter claimed he suffered PTSD from experiences in the Navy, however investigation revealed the events were fabricated. Loss Amount: $134,000
*Roy J. Scott, 71, of Port Angeles, Washington pleaded guilty August 31, 2007, to Use of an Altered Military Discharge Certificate to obtain VA Compensation and Medical Benefits, and Unlawful Wearing of United States Military Medals and Decorations. Scott claimed he had served in the Marine Corps in Korea, that he was wounded in combat in Korea, and that he had been awarded the Korea Defense Medal, Korea Star Medal, and a Purple Heart (due to alleged gun shot wounds sustained during combat in Korea). Scott claimed to be honorably discharged, when in fact, he never earned those medals, never served in Korea or any foreign country and was Court-Martialed out of the Marine Corps. Loss Amount: $21,960.
*Merrick K. Hersey, 64, of Vancouver, Washington, Hersey was indicted August 1, 2007, for Use and Possession of Forged or Altered Military Discharge Certificate and False Statements. Hersey is a fugitive and is being sought by law enforcement. Hersey applied for benefits claiming he served in 1967-68, was awarded two Purple Hearts (for wounds sustained in active combat) and the Bronze Star (awarded for heroism). Hersey claimed he suffered from PTSD and sought benefits. In fact, Hersey never served in the Marine Corps at all. Loss Amount: $2,688.
*Michael D. Heit, 58, of Harrington, Washington, pleaded guilty yesterday (September 20, 2007) in U.S. District Court in Spokane, Washington to Use and Possession of a Forged or Altered Military Discharge Certificate and False Claims of Military Medals. Heit claimed he was a Vietnam vet who was held as a prisoner of war. He claimed to have been awarded three Purple Heart medals and the Silver Star. None of that is true. Loss Amount: $3,500
*Elvin J. Swisher, 70, of Idaho, is charged with Wearing Unauthorized Military Medals, False Statements, and Theft of Government Funds. Swisher falsely claimed he was wounded in Korea and that he had been awarded the Silver Star, Purple Heart and other medals for valor. Loss Amount: $95,000.
*Carlos Riosvalle, 83, of Portland, Oregon, was sentenced April 9, 2007, in Multnomah County for multiple counts of Theft by Deception. Riosvalle collected benefits claiming to have been “shot down while a pilot in World War II.” In fact Riosvalle never served in the armed forces. Loss Amount: $22,818.
These cases were all investigated by the Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General VA-OIG. The VA Office of the Inspector General operates a HOTLINE for the public to confidentially and safely report crimes like “Stolen Valor” involving VA or its programs. Call 800-488-8244, or fax to 202-565-7936, or e-mail to [e-mail], or write to VA OIG HOTLINE, PO Box 50410, Washington, DC 20091-0410.
The cases filed in the Western District of Washington are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ronald J. Friedman. For additional information please contact Emily Langlie, Public Affairs Officer for the United States Attorney’s Office, at [phone].

http://www.youtube.com/jp.swf?video_id=3hhDJF8X9Us&eurl=&iurl=http%3A//img.youtube.com/vi/3hhDJF8X9Us/default.jpg&t=OEgsToPDskLo_bjly_3Zd_gQhz1yu1jE

Answer 1

I agree with the Stolen Valor program. Prosecute the offending slugs.

And if there is anyone who would know a phoney, it would have to be Rush!

Answer 2

Bert T,

Did you actually hear the program in question or are you relying on the media matters account. Perhaps if you actually listened to the program, you would know that media matters is lying. The show in question featured an early story about Jesse MacBeth who admitted in federal court on Sept 21 that he had lied about his military service record. This is the same Jesse MacBeth who was touted by the mainstream media when he told stories of attrocities being committed by US troops in Iraq. He lied about the attrocities, he lied about his service, he lied about his rank, he lied about winning a purple heart, he is one (of many) phony soldiers.

The caller on the show that day mentioned how the media likes to highlight these soldiers that tell stories about how the military is committing attrocities (like MacBeth) and Limbaugh mentioned the "phony soldiers." There was NEVER a discussion about current soldiers who oppose the war before, during or after the call on that day.

Instead of believing the smears being perpetrated by left wing attack groups, why not try to find the truth? Its not that difficult.

Am curious also, where did you hear this amazing lie that president Bush cut VA funding by two billion dollars last year? Its simply not true. In fact, if you look at the budget history of the US, you will see that spending on Veteran's Affairs has taken off under president Bush (see line item 700.) In 2006, Veterans' Affair spending was up over 1/4 of a billion dollars from the year before and will increase by 3.5 billion dollars in 2007. In the year 2000, the Veterans Affair spending was only 47 billion. That means spending on Veterans has increase by 27 billion dollars (an increase of 57%) since Bush became president. Nice try though.

Answer 3

It is amazing the depths to which some people will sink to in order to garner a little money or for a few bragging rights. I don't believe they are necessarily all cowards or even Liberals, but they suffer from some sort of need to be looked up to, I think.
I am a fan of first person war stories, having read many accounts written by real heroes, mostly from WWII.
I read one book about a fellow that was shot down in China and worked his way back to the Flying Tigers. After I read it, I was disappointed to learn that it was a hoax. The fellow had written the book and then was found out that he had never served in the military. It was a good believable story though!

Answer 4

No. Rush Limbaugh NEVER entertains the opinions or comments of liberals whereas, even though Maher's show is onviously slanted to the left, Maher always includes conservatives in his guest panels. Limbaugh scorns anyone who disagrees with him and NEVER takes calls from libs.

Answer 5

The attack on Rush Limbaugh only fools the foolish. The left never learns. The more they try to attack the right for being anti-military the more people realize how anti-military the left is.
The more they attack talk radio the less believable their claim of supporting the first amendment.

.

Answer 6

phony vets? If our government had a proper system in place to identitify those that have served, then this whole issue with people pretending to be something they are obviously not would be a moot point.

Besides I have a friend that is a vet of the Air Force and from what he has told me about his dealings with the Veterns Administration is that they are so understaffed and under funded (gee I wonder who would be responsible for that and no it is not the people "pretending" to be phony vets).

I really do not believe most of the stuff that Limbaugh rants and raves about.

Answer 7

Was the well known YA veteran poser on that list? He goes under a 1000 different ids that usually incorporated chickenhawk in the id. He also poses as a federal law enforcemtn officer as well.

Answer 8

Not true. Rush referred to anyone who was a vet and spoke out against the Iraq war as phony soldiers.

Answer 9

This set of names and the "phony soldiers" Rush Limbaugh spoke of on his radio program Sept 26 are not related in any way, shape or form.

When Rush referred to "phony soldiers", he was referring to a group of active duty soldiers who had written a position paper arguing for the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq. Since that paper was published, two of those so-called "phony soldiers" were killed in action in Baghdad.

Here is the link which has both the audio of the entire exchange regarding Rush's "phony soldiers" comment, as well as the written transcript:
http://mediamatters.org/items/200709270010?f=i_related

And here is Rush's first deperate attempt at damage control:
http://mediamatters.org/items/200709280009?f=i_related

Answer 10

I also support Operation Stolen Valor and I hope they prosecute every one of those idiots they find. Burt, get a clue, will ya?