INTRODUCTION

CLAIMING VIETNAM PRISONER OF WAR:

V V A - Claims by members of  Vietnam Veterans of America

==================================
More Reported Claims:
Medal of Honor, Other than Vietnam POWs, Son Tay Raiders, DSC, DFC, Purple Heart, Silver Star, Bronze Star, Navy Cross, SEALS, Rangers, Pilots, Special Forces, Green Berets, Combat, Vietnam Helicopter Pilots, Flying Tigers, DOUBT EVERYTHING, Don't Encourage 

APOLOGIES AND CLARIFICATIONS

Heroes or Villains?

Individuals reported as of  03/2008
CLAIMING VIETNAM POW STATUS  or as noted
#  =  on list over 11 years

All claims highlighted in lavender are eligible for prosecution under the  STOLEN VALOR ACT signed into law Dec 20, 2006.

Note: These individuals are IN ADDITION TO those investigated and named in the book STOLEN VALOR.

Those with a "LINK" have records, news articles, pictures or tales posted
Comments in GREEN are from information contained in military records (or lack of military records) obtained through FOIA when requested THROUGH the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis.

THOSE CLAIMING MEDAL OF HONOR
NOTE: In 1996 HLI Lordship Industries (at the time, the OFFICIAL USG contractor for the Medal of Honor) admitted selling THREE HUNDRED unauthorized medals for $75.00 each from 1991-1994. They were fined $80,000. NOT ALL of those medals have been recovered. Offenders in possession of an unauthorized medal can be arrested, fined (up to $10,000) and jailed (up to a year). It is the only military medal that CANNOT be bought, sold, bartered, traded, collected, auctioned, exchanged.... EVERY Medal of Honor is awarded by act of Congress. Less than 150 REAL Medal of Honor recipients are alive today.

 

The names listed in the next pages have made VARIOUS or multiple claims that cannot be substantiated or have been proven FALSE. 

N - O

Name                                             Date Reported Hometown Claims Findings
Nagle, Paul Allen 10/2007 Butler, KY Claims Special Forces in Nam. Actual Records  (NO NAM)
Discharged and upgraded in 1979 to "UHC"

Nalls, James Edward

04/2007 PA FAKE "NAVY SEAL"  BUSTED .
Nave, Arthur Arnold 05/2004 Marion County,  FL Claims Bronze Star, CIB, USAF Wings, Purple Heart, Army Good Conduct, Korean Service, National Defense, Korean PUC, UN Service...... 

QUESTION EVERYTHING !!!
ACTUAL National Defense, Good Conduct. Records indicate only overseas duty was in England 1953-55. Discharged as Airman 3rd Class 1955.  Heads Marion County "Honor Guard" in uniform with ALL aforementioned, claimed medals.  Photos in numerous published news articles.

Needham, William Lei Jr

aka Boyce, Samuel  

aka Samuel boyce norwood
02/2001
04/2008
Eureka CA area Claiming SEALS and/or Frogman... He is a member of the local Mason organization and has told each and everyone of his Mason members he was a SEAL and earned the Silver Star.

He displayed a Silver Star as his own and made up a story about being in Vietnam and being in the water for days with the man he saved and another died.   He even has a retaining wall on his patio with the buds insignia in it...

 

NO record of military service

Neil, Robert Victor 10/2004 . Claims to have been awarded a Silver Star for jumping in a fuel truck that caught fire on an airfield and driving it off of said airfield thus saving numerous lives, aircraft and equipment during post Korean War- Pre Vietnam War (peacetime). 

Claims Chief Petty Officer and he lied about that too. He only made A03 or PFC in Navy speak. Claims he was a bombardier on P-38's flying missions over North Korea. 

Records indicate ONLY award is Navy Good Conduct. He was made A03 (= to PFC).  He was a A0-6809-01 Armament Mechanic or bomb loader.
Nelson, Joseph J. 01/2008 FL http://www.legacy.com/Gainesville/Obituaries.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=101689331
Joseph Nelson
NELSON, JOSEPH J.

Jospeh J. Nelson, Gainesville, FL passed away on January 19, 2008, at the VA hospital in Gainesville. He was born on July 12, 1953 in Jersey City, NJ. He was a Vietnam Veteran, who served his country and received four medals including the Medal of Honor. He was an active member of the Campus Church of Christ, working with the homeless, veterans and local college students.... 

He is now at peace, but will be greatly missed.

MORING FUNERAL HOME is in charge of all arrangements.
Published in the Gainesville Sun from 1/22/2008 - 1/23/2008.
NOT an MOH recipient.

Served in the Army,  Oct 70 to Dec 73.

Discharged an E3, MOS 05C20 Radio Teletype Operator

Nelson, Kenneth J

01/2008

CA

THE CLAIMS AND THE RECORDS

(pictures load slowly)

Subject: Fw: NELSON, Kenneth J. - FOIA REPORT
Date: Tue, 12 Feb 2008 15:07:11 -0800
Hello Everyone,
 
This email with attachment (FOIA Report) is self explanatory for subject NELSON an IMPOSTER/FRAUD who has been sent a NOTICE, Certified Mail with receipt request, that he is being permanently removed from the MARINE CORPS LEAGUE membership rolls.
 
FBI, Fraud Special Agent, ..., was telephonically (voice mail) advised on 2/8/08, of subject Nelson and FOIA Report.
 
It can not be overstated that the Marine Corps League has to have PROOF OF HONORABLE SEPARATION before applicants can be sworn in as a Regular Members.
 
I give special thanks to Marine John Freeman, Mary Schantag, Marine Mike Slater, and Sanborn Ross,  for the efforts concerning Nelson.
 
Semper Fidelis,
Gene Rivers
Commandant
Department of California
MARINE CORPS LEAGUE
Ness, Daniel A. 03/2006 WI
Using the handles "GhostSix" and "Warlock6," one Daniel A. Nessis listed on many outdoor, knife, gun, and LEO forums.  

Mr. Ness claims to have risen from enlisted man to Colonel in the USA before retiring in 1984.

He implied some sort of current connection with the CIA and top-level security clearances as of 2003.

He claims to be a "Marshall" of Council Bay, WI, but no such jurisdiction seems to exist.

Mr. Ness states: "It's hard to get over the many men I killed in Viet Nam, but that was my job - to inflict the maximum destruction in the minimum amount of time.  It took skiploaders to carry away the bodies."
Army, Spec 4
served 25 March 64 to 25 March 67
MOS 11B4P

Authorized
Purple Heart w/OLC; NDM; VSM; CIB; VCM; Parachute Badge; Marksman Badge/rifle

Conduct April 66 - "UNSAT"
Note on Assignments "June 66 - "USARV Transient Stockade"

==================
I don't have a Daniel A in SF or SOG in my database for SE Asia
 
Steve Sherman sends

============================

He has credentials - but - has expanded what and who he is.
Nickerson, Chester . ME Claims Korean War POW .
Nicosia, Michael Frank June 2005

 

Tomah, Wisconsin
Claims to have been an Airborne Ranger in Vietnam around 1970-71.

================================================================

Name: Nicosia, Michael Frank
Branch Service and Serial/Service Number(s): U.S. Army
Dates of Service: 1-29-71 to 1-28-77  (active duty 1-29-71 to 6-15-73)
Duty Status: Discharged
Rank/Grade: SP5
Source of Commission: N/A
Promotion Sequence Number: N/A
Assignments and Geographical Locations: (See Attached)
Military Education: Pers Specialist Course; Basic Leadership Course
Decorations and Awards: National Defense Service Medal
Transcript of Court Martial Trial: Not in File
Photograph: N/A
Place of Entry: Minneapolis MN
Place of Separation: Fort Carson Co


Page 2 of 2: RECORD OF ASSIGNMENT

PRINCIPAL DUTY                                      ORGANIZATION AND STATION OR THEATER

                                                              U.S. Airforc Sta. Ft. Campbell Ky? (written/not typed)
BCT                                                      Co D, 8th Tng Bn. 2nd Tng Bde.  USATC
                                                              (3A-3160-03) ,  Ft. Campbell, Ky
Adv Indv Tng                                        Co D  16 BN 4 BDE FT JACKSON SC
    CASUAL                                           ENROUTE TO ENT AIR FORCE BASE CO
Military Personnel Spec                     HQBtryARADCOM, Ent AFB, Co (redesig
Military Personnel Spec                     HQ ARADCOM, Ent AFB Co
Military Personnel Spec                     HQ ARADCOM (WOAA AA A) Ent AFB, Co (Redesig
Military Personnel Spec                     HQ ARADCOM (WOAAAA A) Ent AFB CO
RE FR AD                                               AG Trf Pt, Ft Carson, Co
USAR CON GRP                                   (Ann Tng) RCPAC, St. Louis, Mo
==================================

AS noted on the form the man was on active duty from January 1971 to June 1973. Afterwards he was a reservist. Any tour of duty in Vietnam had to occur during his active duty phase. The 101st Airborne (AB) Division left Vietnam in March 1972. A tour of duty usually lasted 13 months. Thus he would have had to be there staring in April of 1971 if he claimed to have served the entire tour with the 101st AB. He couldn't have completed basic training (BCT) and Advanced Individual Training as listed in time. The listing of assignments doesn't reflect any service outside of the continental United States (OCONUS). The majority of his service was apparently spent at Ent Air Force Base, with the Army Air Defense Command, located in downtown Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Regarding the NPRC representative's reference to FOIA I suspect it has something to do with the note about a Court Martial transcript not being in the file. Apparently there was some military judicial actions taken during his service. I hope this review is helpful.

Richard L. Baker, MA (MSgt, USAF ret.)
Technical Information Specialist, GS-9
Army Heritage and Education Center
U.S. Army Military History Institute (PSD)
950 Soldiers Drive
Carlisle, PA 17013

Nissen, Carl Anthony 04/2008 Billings MT

http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2008/04/11/news/local/44-nissen.txt

Vet admits wearing false medals

By CLAIR JOHNSON
Of The Gazette Staff
Carl Anthony Nissen claimed he had served 12 years in the U.S. Marine Corps, served three tours of duty in Vietnam and earned numerous medals and decorations, including the Silver Star. Trouble was, it wasn't true.

Nissen, of Billings, pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court to a misdemeanor charge of false wearing of medals. U.S. Magistrate Judge Carolyn Ostby fined him $250, which he paid immediately.

Appearing on a summons, Nissen said he did not want an attorney. At times barely audible, Nissen admitted he altered documents about his military record and wore medals he didn't earn.

The case was part of a national investigation called Operation Stolen Valor to investigate and prosecute those who lie about their military service to receive financial benefits or for other reasons.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Fehr said that last December, the FBI in Billings received a tip based on the national investigation that Nissen was wearing ribbons and badges that he had not earned on his Marine Corps dress blue uniform. Nissen allegedly wore these decorations on numerous occasions while attending events sponsored by the local Marine Corps League.

The FBI got a copy of his discharge documents and compared them with the copy Nissen provided to the Marine Corps League. Nissen's document had altered information, including his discharge date, decorations, medals, badges, commendations, citations and campaign ribbons. The altered document also claimed additional education and training, Fehr said.

Investigators found that Nissen had been interviewed for a story about the fall of Saigon that appeared in The Billings Gazette in April 2005. Nissen claimed in the story to have served three tours of duty in Vietnam and to having served 12 years in the Marine Corps. Nissen actually served three years in the Marine Corps and one tour of duty in Vietnam, Fehr said. Nissen also falsely claimed to have served in Operation Desert Storm.

The medals and decorations Nissen claimed to have been awarded included the Silver Star, Combat Action Ribbon with two devices, Navy Commendation with device, Navy Achievement Medal and Navy Unit Commendation.

When interviewed, Nissen confessed to altering his discharge document. He sent the medals he wore to the FBI along with a letter of apology, Fehr said. Nissen did not use the altered document to obtain veterans' benefits or preferences.

Nissen faced a possible penalty of six months in prison and a $5,000 fine. Fehr recommended the $250 fine.

Published on Friday, April 11, 2008.
Last modified on 4/11/2008 at 1:11 am
Nixon, Jerry . Defiance, OH Claims Medal of Honor .
Noyes, David Taylor

aka John David Noyes 

3 different screen names
boston_6_actual 
priest_6_actual
sunshine_6_actual


goes by lynxsquadron45 on paltalk
01/2007
06/2007
Worthington OH



MORE

.
Nye, Steven W. 01/2007
07/2007
Wichita, KS Claims Army Ranger -- and more. Appears to have falsified permanent military record. MORE

Works for National Plastics Color as maintenance man in Valley Center KS.

O'Brien, Judge Michael 

DECEASED

. Kane County, IL Claims Medal of Honor [now an attorney] - removed from bench. Claimed TWO medals for Navy service off the coast of Lebanon in 1958. Forced to resign from the bench or face prosecution in 1995. 

EXPOSED

====================================================


Former judge dies in car crash


A car accident has claimed the life of former 16th Circuit Judge Michael F. O'Brien.

O'Brien, 68, of Rockwall, Texas, and formerly of St. Charles, died about 2 p.m. April 3 when the car he was driving entered the median on Interstate 80 about 32 miles south of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, hit a culvert and rolled over two or three times before coming to rest on its top, according to the Iowa Highway Patrol.

His wife, Gail, was injured in the accident and was treated at the University of Iowa Hospital. Hospital officials declined to give out any information about her condition.

O'Brien spent 14 years as a 16th Circuit Court judge before stepping down about a decade ago in the wake of charges he falsely portrayed himself as a Medal of Honor winner.

At the time, O'Brien apologized for a 20-year ruse that he won the medal, blaming a battle with alcoholism for affecting his judgment. The situation came to light when he applied in 1992 for special Illinois license plates for Medal of Honor winners.

He faced pressure from most of his fellow judges at the time, the Illinois Courts Commission and even the state General Assembly, which threatened to attempt impeachment.

"My error in personal judgment was my failing to admit — even to close friends and family — that this, in fact, was not a true story long after I had recognized and begun a lifelong battle with the disease of alcoholism," O'Brien wrote in a statement in 1995......

O'Brien served in the Navy and graduated with a law degree in 1963 from the John Marshall Law School in Chicago, with continuing education at the National Judicial College.....

4/13/05
Obryan,  Lawrence Dean 01/2008 CA Short version:
Claims Special Forces, CIA, Mayaguez Rescue, Grenada 1983
St. Louis could locate NO MILITARY RECORDS.
O'Dell, Marc . VA  Claiming SEALS and/or Frogman... 

 SF, medic, CIA, SS, DEA, FBI.  6 or more wives (Son of Digger O'Dell, but NOT the USAF Donald "Digger" Odell, former POW)

.
Oliverio Jr, Pedro 12/2004 overseas CLAIMS OFFICER. Retired after 20 years as a SSGT.

DEERS reads:  W1
Retired military ID reads: WO

Was a GS6 in Okinawa - now a GS11 in Bahrain!
ID have allegedly been frauded to list false rank - apps for new positions also may have noted bogus rank!

Name :  PEDRO JR OLIVERO
Service :  MARINE CORPS
Service Component :  REGULAR
Pay Grade :  E-6
Military Specialty :  3112
Home of Record :  Unknown
Ooton, Kirby Alan 12/2005 West Chicago, IL OOTON, AW2 Kirby kirby@loveable.com "...Served as a reserve in VP-60 from 75 to 77 when I went on active duty as a TAR. Served at NAS Glenview, Illinois for 30 greath months and then got stupid and got out. I haven't enjoyed any job I've had quite so much since. I would like to get in contact with any of my old Shipmates. Miss you all. (I wonder what ever happened to WFPL. Probably killed by a jealous hubby.) Please contact me..." [28JAN99]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Claims he was on a Navy boat in Vietnam and it exploded and he is the only one who survived. 

He stated he was in the Navy in Vietnam prior to his Reserve duty.  Says when his fellow Navy men were killed and he was wounded he went to "sick bay" and so his family was never notified of his wounds.

Stated that all his records were lost in the St. Louis fire.  Then he said he worked for the VA and he destroyed all of his documents. Then he claims  he falsified his documents and is afraid of getting caught because he went through such horrible times...he is so traumatized he doesn't want to talk about his experiences.  He speaks of his buddies engaging in atrocities where one guy would walk and shoot any woman he saw.

======================

http://www.wegoumc.org/sermons/2003_05_25/text.htm

A SIMPLE SOLDIER

(Author Unknown)

Read by Kirby Ooton, Vietnam Veteran

 He was getting old and paunchy
And his hair was falling fast,
And he sat around the Legion,
Telling stories of the past.

 

ACTUAL RECORDS

Opacity, Alfred P. Still claims covert ops 07/2004

Claims far MORE extraordinary than in court case - 09/2004

Lyndhurst, NJ Claiming SPECIAL FORCES and "GREEN BERET"...

SF, CIB, PH, BS - EXPOSED and ORDERED TO APOLOGIZE/RESIGN - altering DD214 after serving as Finance Commissioner - VFW  

09/2004 Claims "Hatchet team" in Vietnam 1975, dual files (one held by NSA or ASA). Claims he personally visited St. Louis, saw his file, clerk said "things were missing" and the file had been altered. Is afraid to use his REAL DD214, and now only uses the one St. Louis sent for court. 

Actual, CLERK, 1975-1977

Hired an attorney demanding name be removed from website 06/2004 - 'cause he REALLY was SF, a hero and "his heroism remains anonymous."

 

Orlandi, William Averaldo 10/2003
05/2007
WESTERLY R.I.
Claims Former CIA, Army, 101st Airborne, Vietnam.

2007 -  still up to his old claims of Combat service in RVN

Not 101st, no Nam, no active duty 'cept training. Never left the county. Served 4 yrs Army Reserve - discharged as PVT.

Norwich Bulletin, Aug 25, 2001
Developer's record at issue; funds frozen..... has taken credit for developments that don't appear to exist.....

Orr, Kevin 02/2007
10/2007
IL quote
 ...
I have 6 purple hearts, 2 silver stars, 4 Bronze stars and i have a recently been told that I have been nominated to receive the Medal of Honor....
I received all of my Medals and awards some time ago but again, they all burned up in the fire. I have already received the MOH as well but again, it is gone
...
end quote

SO MUCH MORE

Ortiz, J.C.
aka Brown, Gerrald Jerome
07/2006 .

EXPOSED

.
Ortiz, Manuel Jr.

DECEASED

12/2004 San Jose
Obit - (San Jose Mercury-News)

....  ORTIZ, MANUEL JR. born 17 Oct 42 (San Jose, CA), passed away 27 Dec 04. Obit states Vietnam War Vet, Retired Sergeant Major, 27 years service. This is the part that got me curious:

"Awarded 8 Purple Hearts, 5 Bronze Stars 1 Medal of Valor (?), 3 Silver Stars and 2 Congressional Medal of Honor nominations."...
Ortiz was a Ret Sgt First Class, MOS "First Cook"

ONE Bronze Star, ONE Purple Heart, ONE CIB. 

NO Silver Stars. DID serve in Vietnam in 1968.

Orzel, James R. 07/2006 MI
 
http://www.dailypress.net/stories/articles.asp?articleID=2724
ESCANABA ­ James R. Orzel, 63, of 525 N. 19th St., Escanaba, passed away Saturday morning, July 1, 2006, at his home of an apparent heart attack. He was a recipient of a heart transplant in 1998.

James was born in LaBranche on Jan. 3, 1943, the son of Benjamin and Anna (Szypta) Orzel. He was raised in LaBranche and attended school in Perronville.

James enlisted in the Navy on Dec. 9, 1963. As a Navy Seal, he was on the U.S.S. Midway Aircraft Carrier.


Following the military, James resided in Milwaukee. In 1979, James married Karen Liberatore. She preceded him in death in 1987. While in Milwaukee, he worked for Wisconsin Motors, Briggs & Stratton, A.O. Smith and for 17 years was employed with Unit Drop Forge. Later, James moved to Peshtigo, Wis., where he owned and operated Jimmy’s Hideway from 1983 to 1990. He has lived in Escanaba for the past 15 years.

James loved his family. He enjoyed walking, country music, and was an avid Packer fan. James had a real passion for history and trains.

James was a member of the VFW Post 2998 of Escanaba, August Mattson American Legion Post 71 of Gladstone, and Eagles Aerie 1088....

Visitation will be on Thursday, July 6, 2006, from 4 to 7 p.m. (EDT) at the Crawford Funeral Home in Escanaba. August Mattson American Legion Post 71 will have military rites at 7 p.m. at the funeral home.

Burial will be in Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery.
Ott, Grant 02/2004 NY Claims Special Forces Ranger, Vietnam Vet. He was a "sniper that was color blind because you can see camo better." Claims active duty from 1962 -1965, spent 6 months in Vietnam. Claims taught Nuclear weapons at West Point.

QUESTION EVERYTHING !!!

St. Louis could locate NO RECORD of military service.
Owens, David George

aka Jacques Marcel


aka Marcel, Frenchy


aka Marcel, Jacques Leon


aka Marcel, Jacques L


Marcel Dave G


Marcel, Daivd G

 

08/2004

 

Claims USMC, Korean War POW, held 7 months, escaped with 148  others. Claims he and  6 other men from the "special forces," were part of a "deal." Claims  "It makes Watergate look like a tea party."  Bigger than JFK. 



==============================

He says he was a POW for 7 months and 6 days. He also claims to have liberated himself and 148 other POW's. He claims to have been awarded the bronze star, 2 silver stars, navy and marine corp medal, & 4 purple hearts. He has NO paperwork (lost in the fire he claims) and has said he turned down his veteran benefits. He says he was a Sgt. stationed at San Diego, CA then shipped to Korea. He also claims to be a member of the special forces. For 26 years I have been proud of this man. He wears his ribbons and displays his medals. His 9 yr old grandson is also very proud of him and determined to be a Marine. Is he a fake? How can I find out for sure? Can you help at all?  Please let me know something.

.... he is carrying around a fake DD214 with the name Jacques Marcel on it.  He made this fake form himself to stay with the VFW # 6678...

... know how I could go about having his name removed from the plaque in Mannford, OK (its for his time as a POW big laugh huh)...

.....  we got the records, thank you.  I am going to mail you his "story" & the DD214 & I would like you to post him on your web-site.  The truth should be known.  Thank you again for all your help in this, I now know that this lie WILL NOT go any farther in this town or in this family.  I am going to try and get his name removed off the wall in Mannford, there has to be a way to get it done.

Thank you again,

Shawna Spoonemore

Please feel free to post any of my letters to you on your web site, people should know how badly one man's lies can tear his daughter & 9 year old grandson to pieces.

Thank you.

Served USMC July 1953 to Feb 1956. "Transcript of Court Martial" "Not in file. " Discharged as PVT
Awards: National Defense Service Medal; Korean Service Medal; United Nations Service Medal. MOS - 0311; 2531


Other individuals can be found on various web-sites
Their statements have yet to be substantiated or have been proven false.

Those that have admitted lies/apologized....

 

INTRODUCTION

CLAIMING VIETNAM PRISONER OF WAR:

V V A - Claims by members of  Vietnam Veterans of America

==================================
More Reported Claims:
Medal of Honor, Other than Vietnam POWs, Son Tay Raiders, DSC, DFC, Purple Heart, Silver Star, Bronze Star, Navy Cross, SEALS, Rangers, Pilots, Special Forces, Green Berets, Combat, Vietnam Helicopter Pilots, Flying Tigers, DOUBT EVERYTHING, Don't Encourage 

APOLOGIES AND CLARIFICATIONS

RE: ANY NAME ON THIS PAGE:  If anyone has viable proof of their captivity [or claims] which is accepted by the American Ax-POWs, NAM-POWs, DoD  and DMPO - PLEASE contact us immediately. We will take corrective action and work with them to be recognized for their sacrifice.

 

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