Question:
Jim, My dad always said he was a gunner on a PBR in Vietnam and received the Purple Heart after being shot. I contacted the National Archives and they showed no medals or Vietnam service. However, he had a Purple Heart tag and VA footstone that had ‘Vietnam’ and ‘Purple Heart’ on it. The Purple Heart on the stone requires documentation so I contacted the VA’s gravestone department. They eventually sent me a second DD-214 that showed the missing medals, but the form looks altered. It looks to be a copy of the form I have but with the missing medals typed in. I began to suspect Stolen Valor so I contacted a group who deals with stuff like this. They sent a FOIA request in for his summary sheet and it shows the medals. His transfers and post orders I have show nothing about Vietnam. What is going on and what should I do?
Jim's Reply:
I hate to say it but I also suspect stolen valor. I worked as a videographer volunteer with The Veterans History Project many years ago and I conducted on-camera interviews to document histories and stories of service and valor. Every now and then I'd get a veteran who would tell such fanciful stories that it would be apparent they were making it up as they went along. Some actually contacted me later to ask that I withdraw their video...they were shamed by their own behavior. I never understood it but I suppose some feel a sort of survivors remorse or they want to be seen as heroic like some of their buddies. What should you do? I'd have to say nothing. You'll never know the truth and there's nothing to be gained by trying to correct history.