INTRODUCTION

CLAIMING VIETNAM PRISONER OF WAR:

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

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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

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. 

U - V 

http://www.funeralalternatives.net/obits.html

Lewiston-Harold O. Utterstrom Jr.

Lewiston-Harold O. Utterstrom Jr., 74, of New Gloucester passed away on May 30, 2005 at Central Maine Medical Center.

He was born in Portland on May 17, 1931 the son of Harold and Grace(Herrick) Utterstrom Sr. and attended Portland schools.

Harold proudly served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War, 1954-55, where he received the Medal of Honor. During his enlistment he was the company cook.

Harold worked for many years at Utterstrom Bros. Trucking, as a detailer for Henley-Kimball, truck driver transporting the mail for Krisway trucking and most recently for Shaws in Windham.

He was predeceased by his wife Marjorie Johnson Utterstrom in 1987. Harold is survived by a sister Etta Stevens of Westbrook, and Uncle Albert Utterstrom and his wife Sandra of Falmouth, best friends Shirley Drew of New Gloucester, David Inman of Hollis and many, many friends.

Per Harold’s request there will not be any services.

Arrangements are under the care of Funeral Alternatives, LLC 500 Route One Yarmouth, Me 04096.

03/2008

Department of Defense Public Record

Name :  KENNEDY CHUCKUWEND UZOMBA Service :  ARMY Service Component :  RESERVE Pay Grade :  0-2 Military Specialty :  11A Home of Record :  Unknown

0011    Director of Personnel
0011    Director of Personnel Management

quote
OER.  Back page, "Under his supervision the unit dining facility and supply room have received several outstanding performance awards".
endquote

Flagler/Palm Coast News Tribune 1995 article
"According the reporter (John De Marco) Mr. Valley claims to have been a Marine serving in Vietnam with what he called the "Green Barets Division".  He supposedly posed as a Vietnamese and "led a secretive life behind the lines, wearing VC/NVA uniforms, using their weapons", etc., and was asked by the CIA to conduct clandestine operations capturing and assassinating Vietcong/North Vietnam officials, etc.  It was also reported that he claims some 2,000 soldiers were killed conducting clandestine operations in Vietnam; leaving the impression that "Rambo-Type Hollywood" antics and such sensationalism was widespread and hidden from the American public.
     Mr. Valley also has been credited with helping and counseling many disturbed veterans over the years (which is what the gist of the article was about), but the gross exaggerations and false claims of his Vietnam acts need to be exposed and stopped as his portrayal of the things that occurred
in Vietnam and his characterization of the Vietnam veteran are simply
false.  One is left with the impression that all Vietnam veterans are
mentally scarred, dysfunctional, suicidal, and in need of therapy; and
that our government has failed to recognize and provide for them.  The reading public should be accurately informed, not mislead by exaggerations, ridiculous "war stories" and aggrandizements by publicity seeking phonies."
Special Forces and MACVSOG do not recognize this man. STILL counseling in 2001.

Raymond Michael Vasko, 73, of Forest Hills died April 13, 2005.

He was a member of the VFW in East Pittsburgh and an avid NRA member.

Mr. Vasko served his country during the Korean War as a meteorologist for the Air Force, attaining the High Medal of Honor.

Surviving are his wife, Julie Ann (Stone) Vasko; son, Daniel Paul Vasko and his wife, Lisa, of Edgewood; brother, Donald Vasko; and sisters, Marlene Renn and Jean Malko.

Visitation was at Jobe Funeral Home, Turtle Creek. Mass was celebrated at St. Colman Church. Interment was at Restland Memorial Cemetery.

12/2007

2007 - Stated he went from Brigadier General in the Marines, to a Private and then to an Admiral in the Navy Reserves. He did mention the Medal of Honor and being a POW in Japan.

U.S. Army Center for Military History could find no listing for a Charles Vick serving in any unit (including Army Air Corps) in World War II.

Mr. Vick did run for president of the United States as the Hebrew Christian Evangelical party candidate in 2000 and 2004. 

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Claims NAVY SAL, POW rescue attempt, Special Forces, Silver Star, Purple Heart, Ranger, Airborne....

Hanoi Jane Fonda