Stolen Valor: Man Fraudulently Poses as Green Beret...

[jimnyc]

Oh man, @Tyr-Ziu Saxnot is just going to LOVE this one!! 25 years, huh? Talk about embellishment! I've added some military names to get some feedback from those that I know have served. If I forgot someone, my bad!!

@aboutime
@Gunny
@CSM
@Bilgerat
@darin
@High_Plains_Drifter

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Stolen Valor: Man Fraudulently Poses as Green Beret to Worm Way into New York Society

A New York man who served in the army for only eight years as a driver far from any battle zone is accused of taking on the fraudulent mantle of a 25-year veteran Green Beret with a chest full of medals. The deception was designed to help him worm his way into New York society events, a report reveals.

Brooklyn Army veteran Papotia Reginald Wright seemed to have a very impressive pedigree in the U.S. armed forces. He claimed to have a Purple Heart, was a 25-year army vet, and even said he became a member of the elite Green Berets. The resume gave him access to numerous events in the Big Apple, including events with the New York Giants, the New York Post reported.

Wright even helped start a veteran’s group that served veterans and their families.

But it has now been alleged that he lied about his army career. According to reports, Wright never rose above the rank of “specialist,” served only eight years (1982 to 1990) instead of 25, and never served in any battle zone to earn a Purple Heart. Indeed, nearly all the medal he has worn at numerous events were bought second hand and were not earned in service.

Indeed, instead of serving in any battle zone, Wright served as a driver in very safe places such as Alaska, Georgia, Texas, and a short stint in Egypt according to documents provided by the government.



Wright did help his fellow vets by starting the 8th Special Forces Regiment New York Honor Guard, a group that offers an honor guard at funerals for service members and veterans. As part of this group, Wright became an active and well-liked member of the New York veteran community.

Photos show Mr. Wright at a New York Giants game wearing a full Green Beret uniform.

But, now Wright is being investigated for possible violations of the Stolen Valor Act.

The Stolen Valor Act maintains that any person who rewrites “provisions relating to fraudulent claims about military service were subject to a fine, imprisonment up to a year or both.”

The veterans group Wright started said that they began looking into Wright’s possible violations when people alerted them to the incongruities in Wright’s story.

“It bothers us. Stolen valor is an epidemic. We cannot keep up with the cases sent to us,” a member of the veteran’s group told the paper. “Wearing fake stuff — wearing a Ranger tab, Special Forces tab, those things are hard to earn. Wearing a Purple Heart…that stuff’s unforgivable there.”

Army veteran Jeff Johnson, who is a member of Wright’s veteran group, said he felt like he was “played for a f***ing fool” after the questions about Wright were made public. Johnson also noted that Wright had told people he was “living off half a kidney,” too.

“He’s an amazing storyteller because he will get into details,” Johnson confessed.

Members of Wright’s group said that they are suspending their activities while they investigate the allegations about his service.

There is no word if Wright will face any legal consequences for his alleged ruse.

http://www.breitbart.com/big-governm...-york-society/

[Gunny]

I guess they could burn him. The damage is already done to both he and veterans. He's a done deal unless he gets a whole new identity somewhere else. Even civilians don't like frauds (except Democrats) and are hesitant to hire them. Who wants to hire a fraud?

As far as "stolen valor" goes, he disrespected everyone that ever wore a uniform and EARNED the right to wear it and earned the decorations the hard way. I say lock him in a room with the rest of the real vets in his unit and let THEM "discuss" it with his sorry ass.

I don't know that they can do anything to civilians for impersonating military personnel, especially impersonating former or no longer active military personnel. If he was on active duty, the Army would probably fix his ass right up. The Marines would be a guaranteed max punishment and at least General under other than honorable conditions discharge and a reenlistment code of RE4 (undesirable for service).

I don't get the point to it, myself. These guys work harder at pretending to be something they weren't than if they just went and took the job.

[Black Diamond]

Not much lower than that. IMHO

[Tyr-Ziu Saxnot]

Oh man, @Tyr-Ziu Saxnot is just going to LOVE this one!! 25 years, huh? Talk about embellishment! I've added some military names to get some feedback from those that I know have served. If I forgot someone, my bad!!

@aboutime
@Gunny
@CSM
@Bilgerat
@darin
@High_Plains_Drifter

---

Stolen Valor: Man Fraudulently Poses as Green Beret to Worm Way into New York Society

A New York man who served in the army for only eight years as a driver far from any battle zone is accused of taking on the fraudulent mantle of a 25-year veteran Green Beret with a chest full of medals. The deception was designed to help him worm his way into New York society events, a report reveals.

Brooklyn Army veteran Papotia Reginald Wright seemed to have a very impressive pedigree in the U.S. armed forces. He claimed to have a Purple Heart, was a 25-year army vet, and even said he became a member of the elite Green Berets. The resume gave him access to numerous events in the Big Apple, including events with the New York Giants, the New York Post reported.

Wright even helped start a veteran’s group that served veterans and their families.

But it has now been alleged that he lied about his army career. According to reports, Wright never rose above the rank of “specialist,” served only eight years (1982 to 1990) instead of 25, and never served in any battle zone to earn a Purple Heart. Indeed, nearly all the medal he has worn at numerous events were bought second hand and were not earned in service.

Indeed, instead of serving in any battle zone, Wright served as a driver in very safe places such as Alaska, Georgia, Texas, and a short stint in Egypt according to documents provided by the government.



Wright did help his fellow vets by starting the 8th Special Forces Regiment New York Honor Guard, a group that offers an honor guard at funerals for service members and veterans. As part of this group, Wright became an active and well-liked member of the New York veteran community.

Photos show Mr. Wright at a New York Giants game wearing a full Green Beret uniform.

But, now Wright is being investigated for possible violations of the Stolen Valor Act.

The Stolen Valor Act maintains that any person who rewrites “provisions relating to fraudulent claims about military service were subject to a fine, imprisonment up to a year or both.”

The veterans group Wright started said that they began looking into Wright’s possible violations when people alerted them to the incongruities in Wright’s story.

“It bothers us. Stolen valor is an epidemic. We cannot keep up with the cases sent to us,” a member of the veteran’s group told the paper. “Wearing fake stuff — wearing a Ranger tab, Special Forces tab, those things are hard to earn. Wearing a Purple Heart…that stuff’s unforgivable there.”

Army veteran Jeff Johnson, who is a member of Wright’s veteran group, said he felt like he was “played for a f***ing fool” after the questions about Wright were made public. Johnson also noted that Wright had told people he was “living off half a kidney,” too.

“He’s an amazing storyteller because he will get into details,” Johnson confessed.

Members of Wright’s group said that they are suspending their activities while they investigate the allegations about his service.

There is no word if Wright will face any legal consequences for his alleged ruse.

http://www.breitbart.com/big-governm...-york-society/

You are right Jim....
I'd hit that SOB SO DAMN HARD HE PROBABLY WOULDNT SEE DAYLIGHT FOR A WEEK...
I make no bones about admitting that I never served in the military and it pisses me off when these types go around lying about their service.--Tyr

[High_Plains_Drifter]

All anyone has to do if they wonder about someone's military service story, is ask to see their DD-214. It's all on there.

This turd should go to jail. He's probably an obama voter and just the latest example of how democrats aren't afraid to lie about just about anything. What is it with these people? Sickening bastards.

[Gunny]

All anyone has to do if they wonder about someone's military service story, is ask to see their DD-214. It's all on there.

This turd should go to jail. He's probably an obama voter and just the latest example of how democrats aren't afraid to lie about just about anything. What is it with these people? Sickening bastards.

Probation. That way he has to stay within the jurisdiction he is sentenced, and where he committed the crime (fraud). Make him face daily the people he lied to.

It's bad form (insulting) to ask someone for their DD 214. Your word still means something in some places (like here) for the most part. Again, Dems are disqualified from THAT. The way around it is to make it an administrative requirement for things like starting your own veteran's group.

These people understand the game. No one questions high ranking people. That's why these frauds are all wannabe Admirals, Generals and Sergeant Majors. One guy passed himself off as a retired Rear Admiral (Upper) and the son of Bull Halsey or Chester Nimitz for years and got away with it. Never served a day. Memory's hazy, but I think he was related somehow.

So, do you insult the whole for the crimes of the few? Our entire society is now permeated with stupid rules and laws because of the exceptions, not the average every day people.

[aboutime]

There are possibly Thousands of these wannabe Imposters out there. Most of us Vets have been aware of them, and talked about them here in the past.
Wanna really get pissed? Go to Youtube, and simply type STOLEN VALOR.

Nobody should like what you find.
I know the Senior Chief (Retired) Don Shipley,(video) A Retired SEAL who has made it his life's work to EXPOSE these rotten, wannabe hero's of nothing. If you think about it. They actually were the FIRST to start FAKE NEWS online....their own.

[Gunny]

There are possibly Thousands of these wannabe Imposters out there. Most of us Vets have been aware of them, and talked about them here in the past.
Wanna really get pissed? Go to Youtube, and simply type STOLEN VALOR.

Nobody should like what you find.
I know the Senior Chief (Retired) Don Shipley,(video) A Retired SEAL who has made it his life's work to EXPOSE these rotten, wannabe hero's of nothing. If you think about it. They actually were the FIRST to start FAKE NEWS online....their own.

Immediately thought of John Kerry. Oh yeah ... he's a Dem. They're allowed to do that and still get votes.

[aboutime]

All anyone has to do if they wonder about someone's military service story, is ask to see their DD-214. It's all on there.

This turd should go to jail. He's probably an obama voter and just the latest example of how democrats aren't afraid to lie about just about anything. What is it with these people? Sickening bastards.

High_Plains: Sad truth is. They cannot be arrested, or punished UNLESS they attempt to make money, or extort money under fraudulent circumstances. The only thing anyone can do...IF YOU DISCOVER THEM is...Expose them publicly. But they don't get embarrassed very easily because...Like Liberals, they are living a LIE they are convinced, they can fool other people every time. They want attention, and will do anything to get somebody to PAT THEM ON THE BACK, and Thank Them for something they never did.

Vets have easy ways of exposing these assholes. We know what to ask them, then tell them...UP FRONT, they are F'in LIARS, and PHONIES.

[High_Plains_Drifter]

It's bad form (insulting) to ask someone for their DD 214.

I'm not saying make it common practice, but if you have someone telling stories about being mister big time GI war hero with ribbons all over his chest, and you as a true veteran don't think his stories are adding up, I'd say ask him to prove it, insult or not to ask for the DD-214, which to be truthful, I've never heard of that. I've had to produce many times and never felt insulted, and I've shown it other veterans as well. I was always proud to back up service.

[aboutime]

I'm not saying make it common practice, but if you have someone telling stories about being mister big time GI war hero with ribbons all over his chest, and you as a true veteran don't think his stories are adding up, I'd say ask him to prove it, insult or not to ask for the DD-214, which to be truthful, I've never heard of that. I've had to produce many times and never felt insulted, and I've shown it other veterans as well. I was always proud to back up service.

You don't need to ask them for a DD-214. Fact is. Most of them have no idea what a DD-214 is. Unless the person has honestly served, in whatever they claim to have served. We have simple ways to expose them, almost instantly.
In case some of them happen to read this. I will not share all of the tricky little secrets we can use. But most of us, as Veterans, already know how to get around phonies. Most of us have served with them, and seen them either kicked out, busted, or given a place to live...like a Brig. Truth is. Most of the phonies may have been in the military, but they had bad experiences, and didn't complete their contract, or they were given Other Than Honorable Discharges...and are trying to keep that secret by pretending to be GREEN BERET'S. RANGERS, SPECIAL FORCES, or SEALS.
They also instantly declare that whatever they did was HIGHLY CLASSIFIED, and they can't talk about it. THAT'S ALL FALSE from the get-go when asked simple questions.
Don't worry about them. LIARS never win, and WINNERS never lie.

SECRET.....Anyone who WAS, or IS in the military....HAS EITHER A GREEN, OR BLUE "ID" card.

[High_Plains_Drifter]

I don't know if anyone can see this, but I can't. This thread is abruptly cut off at the bottom of Gunny's post #8, and even that isn't all there at the bottom.

[High_Plains_Drifter]

You don't need to ask them for a DD-214. Fact is. Most of them have no idea what a DD-214 is. Unless the person has honestly served, in whatever they claim to have served. We have simple ways to expose them, almost instantly.
In case some of them happen to read this. I will not share all of the tricky little secrets we can use. But most of us, as Veterans, already know how to get around phonies. Most of us have served with them, and seen them either kicked out, busted, or given a place to live...like a Brig. Truth is. Most of the phonies may have been in the military, but they had bad experiences, and didn't complete their contract, or they were given Other Than Honorable Discharges...and are trying to keep that secret by pretending to be GREEN BERET'S. RANGERS, SPECIAL FORCES, or SEALS.
They also instantly declare that whatever they did was HIGHLY CLASSIFIED, and they can't talk about it. THAT'S ALL FALSE from the get-go when asked simple questions.
Don't worry about them. LIARS never win, and WINNERS never lie.

SECRET.....Anyone who WAS, or IS in the military....HAS EITHER A GREEN, OR BLUE "ID" card.

I do recall my active duty ID being green. My DOD DAV ID I have now is brown.

I had a Top Secret clearance and a line badge to prove it. I was also temporarily cleared for Krypto when I went to Area 51, twice. I was sworn to silence for 20 years so I assume talking about my experiences at Area 51 would be OK now, it was over 30 years ago anyway, and really, it wasn't anything extraordinary. I never saw any flying saucers or little gray beings with big black eyes. I was, however, as were all of us, followed around from the time we left the main gate to sign in by armed guards. Kind of strange to be followed around by your own people in the same uniforms armed to the teeth just to watch you. Makes me think there's a whole lot more there than what I saw.

But if I'm not mistaken, when I separated from the AF, they told me to take all the insignia off all my jackets and my fatigues except for my name and the Air Force badge because if I didn't, it was illegal and I could be arrested, and that's as a veteran and those were my hard earned patches. I could be arrested for wearing MY uniform. Course that was 1987. Has something changed that I don't know about? I guess we are allowed to wear our dress uniforms at certain events, like a funeral or in a parade, etc... as if I could fit in mine anyway...

[Gunny]

I'm not saying make it common practice, but if you have someone telling stories about being mister big time GI war hero with ribbons all over his chest, and you as a true veteran don't think his stories are adding up, I'd say ask him to prove it, insult or not to ask for the DD-214, which to be truthful, I've never heard of that. I've had to produce many times and never felt insulted, and I've shown it other veterans as well. I was always proud to back up service.

That's just it ... people full of war stories always raise an eyebrow with me first. Sure, we let stuff slip here and there on the board over the YEARS, but we aren't constantly wearing our medals under everyone's noses.

I've NEVER met a vet in a bar that wasn't Marine Recon, A SEAL, or a Green Beret/Ranger. THAT is what offends me about the stolen valor bullshit. They cheapen my MOS, and if I bother to tell anyone what it was (which I really don't), you get looked at like you're just another full of shit bar hero. Assholes like this guy ruined any of that for me eons ago. Someone comes up to me and tell me they are a vet (I usually wear a Marines ball cap) , I buy 'em a beer and change the subject. They usually leave quick enough because they want to brag about something they never did and I'm not interested is stamped on MY forehead.

This clown will at least have to move after he gets done being hammered. I'm quite sure he is going to have to account for some funding for his "unit". It's a shame for those guys and I hope they can keep their unit after he's wiped off the chalkboard.

[Gunny]

Y'know, had I been MotorT ... I'd have a sign in front of my garage "Gunny's Motor" - Automotive Repairs/State Inspections. That's a skill you can actually use and sell in the real world.