APOLOGIES AND CLARIFICATIONS:

Some websites do not accept apologies. Once a fraud, always a fraud - posted for life. The NETWORK will MOVE a posted individual to this page when an apology has been received - an honest apology. Should that individual be reported AGAIN after his apology, his apology is voided, and he is reposted on the Heroes or Villains lists. 

For those listed here - and still complaining that you are - you lied. This is the consequence of YOUR actions. Many of you lied for DECADES and now want posts removed after weeks. Forget it.

Many lie for a lifetime and some families only find out about the lies at their death when trying to get military funerals or honors. Grief and lies! What a legacy.

You can change that. ADMIT you lied. Be HUMAN instead of a fraud, liar, phony, wannabee.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Delusions of Grandeur is a false belief that one is more important or powerful than they really are. It is often associated with Psychosis (an inability to correctly evaluate reality).    The term is often used as a slur by ignorant or malicious people. PTSD is not a psychosis. Personality traits and character flaws are usually set in childhood.  Those diagnosed with PTSD do not lie any more than anyone else.


July 6, 2009

I was reading through the page of "Apologies and Clarifications" when I noticed something very strange. There are 2 almost identical apologies, given by 2 different people.
It was easy for me to spot because I read the entire page from bottom to top, and when I got to Mr. David's letter, I knew I had read those same words not too long before.
I am almost positive that Mr. David's apology was simply copied and "adjusted" by Mr. Klein. However, I would rather you read it for yourself.

I have copied and pasted the listings in question below, simply for ease of reading. The first listing was near the top of the page, and the second was closer to the middle.

SEE  the first (original) apology letter:

David, David L.C. - CA/AZ  (claiming ALL of the above) - VFW -- EXPOSED

And, SEE  the second, ... :

KLEIN, JOHN 06/2008 Long Island Amityville.


I'm not sure why this has bothered me so much that I am writing to you about it. Maybe it's because of the irony of using a stolen apology to be forgiven of stealing another's honor. 
Whatever it is, how sincere could he possibly be having copied someone else's apology and using it as his own?

I'm not even sure anything can or will be done at this point, but it upset me enough that I couldn't let it go unnoticed.

Anyhow, thank you for all that you do to honor our Service members, and to put the liars to shame. My husband is currently Active Duty in Naval Special Warfare (I have no reason 
to lie and can give you his info if need be), and I would hate to see someone leech on his honor without rightfully earning it themselves.

signed.....

ALBERT, JACK  -  HAS BEEN RETURNED TO THE LISTING OF FRAUDS AND PHONIES - 04/25/2005

Winslow Jefferson Ballsworth IV       January 17 2010  at 12:11pm Report
I spent some time today thinking about this and trying to look at things from your perspective. My point was that this was obviously a joke - but I guess if I were in your shoes I wouldn't find it funny, either. I appreciate your service and you don't deserve to have your balls busted by some goofball like me. This issue obviously represents something that changed the course of your entire life and I should have respected that. Please accept my apology.
BAKHSHI, VIREN 05/2009 CINCINNATI, OH He is 22yrs old, claims to be a SFC (E-7) with nine years of service.  From what can BE SEEN in the photo is this individual is very confused. His ribbons are out of place and or are from another service (OR ROTC).  
http://www.myspace.com/sweetricky86
.

Date: Thu, 28 Oct 2010 02:34:38 -0500
Subject: Im very Sorry for my Actions
From: Viren Bakhshi <vi.bakh@gmail.com>
To: info@pownetwork.org
 


My Name is Viren Bakhshi, and I am a fraud and a liar, I saw my name as a posting on here "Hero or Villain,"
and I am a villian, due to my ego and stupidityness from,
back a few years ago, I would like to apologize for my actions and my highy words I use to speak about myself, to which
I am not and never will be. I take fully responsibility of my wrong doing and mistake that I have made by being a phonie.
I don't know how I can ever be be sorry for those familes, including there son's and daughter's who put there life on the
line everyday because of this mistake I made, I am very sorry from the bottom of my heart, I wish I would of had made
smarter decesions and actions, But I know I should of NEVER have done somthing like this, I dont know what got in to my mind
to do somthinging like this, and I am very ashamed of myself and to the rest of the world because of what I did yrs ago.
Everyday when I get up, I have a full regret and guilt that I will live with and it will be for the rest of my life, my
actions were not right and were very wrong...I AM VERY SORRY FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART...over this I have realized,
I should not claim to be what I am not...I have learned my lesson from doing this and it will never happen again.
I have always wanted to join the military, but I was never smart enough to even pass a basic ASVAB, Ive tried more than
three times but never was able to, I studied as well very hard, but never was able to pass the ASVAB, Im sorry to all
american's and all military personal from my stupid behavior...
I was in NJROTC for Colerain Senior High School, for four wonderful and amazing years, I felt like the worlds greatest
person when I had recivied achevements and when I had Became the physical fitness team commanding officer,
after high school I wanted to join the military, but I never was in the military nor was I able to enter the military
due to me never being able to even pass a simple ASVAB, Again im very very very very truly sorry for my mistake I made,
I am ashamed, humiliated, and guily, of my actions that I have made and done of my mistake...
I am very sorry everyone, my family and all american's and I am very sorry to the entire military branchs,
I am sorry, the real hearo's are the ones out there everyday putting there life on the line for us those are
real hero's....me I am no hero...Im very sorry, I am trying to get back into college, and making my life and personal self
to something good that I can be. IM VERY SORRY EVERYONE.

 

I would greatly appriciate if you all can please remove my name from the search engines....

I'm a changed person now, and I have never done anything like this, and it will never happen again

Sincerly

Viren Bakhshi

BANKS, LORNE 07/2010 CANADA
 
 
Canada does not have Seals, per se.. they have soldiers who are trained in amphibious warfare but no SEALs.

 

.......
If the name you provided is spelled correctly, I do NOT find a listing in the SEAL Database (SEAL Teams and predecessor units from  1943 to the Present Day) for anyone named LORNE BANKS. I have also examined possible alternate spellings, and names with similar pronunciations without finding any that appear to be applicable. There are only three (3) men with the last name BANKS listed among the 17,300+ entries in the SEAL Database, and none (NONE!) of those three men has either a first or middle name "LORNE" or anything even remotely similar.
 
Unless he has undertaken the unlikely action of a legal name change (an action for which there would be evidence in the form of  court documentation) since his claimed attendance at BUD/S training, and based upon the information you have provided, I can state conclusively that LORNE BANKS has NEVER COMPLETED SEAL training, and he is not now, nor was he ever a Navy SEAL, a Navy  UDT "Frogman", a member of any Naval Combat Demolition Unit (NCDU), or a member of the Naval Amphibious Scouts & Raiders (S&R).  ...

Thank you again for your concern in this matter, and for your assistance in upholding the honor of the US Navy SEAL Teams. If I  can be of any further assistance to you in this matter, please contact me at your convenience.

 
Respectfully,
Steve Robinson RM2(SEAL)
USN 1970-1978
SEAL Team ONE
Inshore Undersea Warfare Group ONE
UDT-SEAL Association - Member
Special Operations Association - Member
POW Network Board of Directors
Naval Special Warfare Archives - SOF Analyst/Contributing Journalist
Disabled American Veterans - Life Member
FORMER Special Investigator - SEAL Authentication Team
CyberSEALs.org - Webmaster
Author - NO GUTS, NO GLORY - Unmasking Navy SEAL Imposters
From: "Lorne Banks" <lorne@lornebanks.com>
To: <info@pownetwork.org>
Subject: Gentlemen
Date: Sun, 22 Aug 2010 22:55:50 -0300

To all Navy Seals and SF personnel, I am sorry that you took my ad for driver coaching as a claim for being one of the very elite in this brotherhood. I am an instructor who teaches Navy Seals, SF and WPPS programs in the States and in my ad I referred to my instructing this very elite group not claiming that I was one. I will edit the ad to clarify this so that it is not mistaken as being the other. I have trained these groups for the last few years for several private contractors and hold these groups and there members in the highest regards. It has been my pleasure and honor to work with and get to know America's top fighting groups and I look forward to continue this service for many years to come. In closing I just want to say thank you for all you do.
 
Sincerely
 
Lorne Banks
 
From: SpartanMkt@aol.com
Date: Sat, 27 Jun 2009 22:54:28 EDT
Subject: Part one Russ Battiato

Mr. & Mrs. Shantag,
  Opener - I am sorry for the delay but the last few days have been very busy, I found from the VA the last operation active duty gave me from an injury sustained at the Q course came apart and will be re done most likely this week.   
 I would like to personally apologize to you for this getting off on the wrong foot to resolve this issue. My over cellist attorney friend took a hard line approach to this instead of a cool get the facts out and across.
As you could see the records you had were very out dated and some of this could have been avoided just by bringing them to your attention. I HAVE NOTHING TO HIDE !  I am VERY proud of the 15 plus years I served on the B-Team and Training Detachment also that I was selected at almost 44 years old as Don put it Alpha males often don't back down.
As for me signing off on an email with the SF retired, all I meant is my last unit of assignment is and always will remain HHC 2nd Bn 20th SF Group. But I can see how it is mis understood and I WILL NOT USE IT AGAIN. I spoke to the current commander CW3 Gunther Orth and he will also write me a letter of support. He is away at Bragg right now so it could take afew days.
Just a suggestion, as you can see had I been contacted when this first came out I would have been more then happy to address it right away and supply you copies of any out of date records you did not have. It took a year for someone to tell me this existed.  I am sure you come across all types of wacko's but as you can see I had even sat with Don at the National Convention held at Chp 64 of which I worked very hard as a founding member.
In any even, I am happy we have all come together and resolved this I must add Don is TRUE PROFESSIONAL.
The next email will directly address the questions.
 
Again, I thank you and support your efforts.
 
Respectfully
 Russ Battiato

------------------------------

 
I would like to address this to all TRUE PROFESSIONALS, anything that was said that could have lead to the mis understand that I had earned my tab that is not so.
I do not claim to have been involved with Task Force Ranger "Black Hawk Down" . I did know some of the brave men who did served that faithless day and in fact I stood grave side for SFC Randall Shughart as well as act as a founding member of Chapter 64 in his memory. I have stayed active thru the years with the chapter to include help arrangement for Jump operations at many of the All Airborne Days and National conventions.
I am very proud to say for the last Fifteen plus years I served on the B-Team and Training Detachment.
 I am also proud of the fact I have the dubious distinction of being almost 44 years old when I successfully completed SFAS.   Starting the Q course shortly after my 44th birthday I was injured while on operations and medical dropped. Just prior to my return to the Q my leg was crushed by a Harley causing the med board to retire me. Leaving me a 97%er, but still very proud of my service with the TRUE PROFESSIONALS as a member of the B-Team.
Again, I am sorry my records were outdated for you to check, and I did not mean to offend any 11BPS or 18 series.
 
 
Respectfully
Russell A. Battiato  11BP

------------------------------

Don,
  Again thank you for your kind words and guidance. I am sorry I am not as and eloquent writer as you. I hope I address everything needed, believe me from the bottom of my heart. I love and respect all that you and the other Quite Professionals have done. I would NEVER want to tarnish the image of the Tab or loose respect for myself trying to steal the respect that tab brings.
As I stated in our conversation I gave up my Staff Sgt willingly to stay in the SF community, that to me id dedication and devotion.
 
Should the letter to POW Net not be what you would accept please  advise with some suggestions and I would be willing to re write it.  As you said I am very proud of the years I served with the TRUE Professional while assigned to the B-Team and it will stay with me til my last breath.
 
Again, I respect you the Shantag's and all you stand for.
 
 
Respectfully
  Russ
AIRBORNE!
 
PS ... I attached afew pics from the 2002 leapfeast, B Co 2nd Bn Team took third place, I was very proud to be a part of that team. I was the only member of the B team to qualify for the jump team.
BOGGS, JARID VANCE 05/2010 OH CLAIMS
3 Purple Hearts
Ranger Tab
Sapper Tab
Pathfinder Badge
Airborne
Attended Q Course for SF, but his squad failed on him
Two tours to Iraq
One Tour to Afghanistan
 
Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2011 15:34:32 -0700 (PDT)
From: Jarid Boggs <jaridboggs@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: Jarid Boggs <jaridboggs@yahoo.com>
Subject: question?
To: "info@pownetwork.org" <info@pownetwork.org>

 
To whom it may concern,
 
My name is Jarid  V. Boggs. I have no idea where you have aquired this information. I have always been truthful about my short lived military service. Which consists of completeing Army BCT and was discharged with a general discharge during AIT at Ft.Sill, Oklahoma in 2007. This statement against me is completely slanderous and untrue.
I would greatly appreciate if this false statement would be taken down. Further more I would like to know who you received your information from.
 
Sincerely
 
Jarid V. Boggs
 
 
Date: Fri, 15 Jul 2011 18:52:40 -0700 (PDT)
From: Jarid Boggs <jaridboggs@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: Jarid Boggs <jaridboggs@yahoo.com>
Subject: False posting
To: "info@pownetwork.org" <info@pownetwork.org>

 
To whom it may concern,
 
My name is Jarid  V. Boggs. I have no idea where you have aquired this information. I have always been truthful about my short lived military service. Which consists of completeing Army BCT and was discharged with a general discharge during AIT at Ft.Sill, Oklahoma in 2007. This statement against me is completely slanderous and untrue.
I would greatly appreciate if this false statement would be taken down. Further more I would like to know who you received your information from.
 
Sincerely
 
Jarid V. Boggs
 

 

Date: Sun, 17 Jul 2011 16:58:45 -0700 (PDT)
From: Jarid Boggs <jaridboggs@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: Jarid Boggs <jaridboggs@yahoo.com>
Subject: appology
To: "info@pownetwork.org" <info@pownetwork.org>
 
To whom it may concern,
 
I admit that I misled people on my military service. Upon being discharged, I felt let down by myelf. Therefore I told untrue stories to people that I came to care about and people that I barely knew, for no reason but to make myself feel better about myself by being more accepted and getting more attention. I truly and sincerely apologize to any and all I have offended with my actions. I only served from Jan07-May07 and was discharged during AIT at Ft.Sill Ok. 
I am currently in school and pursuing a career in law enforcement. Once again I would like to apologize for what I have done. I can only hope that you and all are able to forgive me for this. Thank you for your time and consideration.
 
Sincerely
 
-Jarid V. Boggs

POW NETWORK apology to Thomas M. Booth

BOWERS,  Arthur B.
11/23/2005

Mr. Bowers has provided documentation, authenticated by NPRC that as of Nov 23, 2005 he is authorized the National Defense Service Medal; Combat Infantry Badge, Korean Service Medal; "
added to Sep Doc 17 Apr 1953 Good Conduct Medal"; United Nations Service Medal.

Prior copies of FOIAs and  2 DD214's did not list these medals.

Brannon, Dan
aka
Brannan, Daniel L 
11/2002
12/2005
Claims Green Beret, Prisoner of War

Claims Special Forces 1967-1970. Has claimed Vietnam POW, CMOH, PH. Has a green beret he claims is his from the war.  As usual he claims covert ops. Claims escaped and returned to kill his guard with chopstick while helping other POW escape!!

Union President

From: "Dan Brannan" <dan@danbrannan.com
To: <info@pownetwork.org
Subject: My name on your website
Date: Wed, 18 Jan 2006 19:03:59 -0500

Just recently I became aware of your website, this only after a friend of mine emailed and let me know that my name was posted with some details that recount a story that I told about my Vietnam military days.  Since then I have gone to the site and read about myself and many others all that have been essentially called liars and frauds.  I have also read several apologies most of which I can tell were done in anguish and shame. 

While what appears on the website does capture the details of a story that I told one night over twenty years ago it does not by any means tell a story about me.  And I would suspect that this is true of nearly all of those whose names appear on this site.  If the others are like me I would guess that most of us know, understand, and have to live with the fact that lying about ourselves did far greater damage to us as individuals than it ever did to anyone else.  Although my claims to be a POW,  Medal of Honor winner, who served in the Special Forces were false I believe that those who did suffer as POWs and those who did win the CMH, and those that were in the SF; have lived and earned a distinction that no one can diminish, take away, or dishonor.  The only dishonoring that was done was to, in my case, me. 

Although I did lie and have lived it by not correcting it, the truth is I doubt that there are twenty people that know about it.  I say this because, rather than summon the courage to set the record straight, which I have had the opportunity to do on several occasions, I either acknowledged it as being true, or let people believe what they had heard.  And on each of those occasions, with every missed opportunity, I felt a deep sense of guilt and shame.  My belief was that if I just never talked about it would eventually go away.  Although this tactic gave me some solace, it didnt address the core issue; that being that I knew there were those who did believe those things about me.  But the more troubling issue for me was that it also caused me to question my character, I mean who would tell such a story and why? 

Life is a journey during which, hopefully, each of us learn and accept who we really are.  My journey has been at times difficult, but many times rewarding.  I know that I have come a long way since my youth.  I also know that experience, and experiences, shape people.  In my case I know that I struggled with my self esteem for many years, still do to some degree, but I also know that creating a false image is not the answer.   Somewhere along the line I came to terms with the reality that I had to learn to like mefor me, and as me.  I could easily go into my childhood and growing up, and I could rationalize and conjure up all kinds of reasons and excuses for feeling the need to be liked or admired for someone other than who I am.  But at the end of the day that is all they would be; excuses and rationalizationsand worse I learned that this kind of thinking never allows one to learn to like oneself or get to know oneself.  

Just to set the record straight: I am a Vietnam veteran, serving in the US Army from September 10, 1967-July 5, 1970.  I was a member of a Task Force (not SF) but an engineering task force (27th LCT) that cleared jungle and was known as the Jungle Eaters.  Our missions always included extended periods (several weeks) in field operations clearing jungle with specially designed bulldozers.  The missions were nearly all in areas of concentrated enemy buildups, or hot spots, the goal, of course, to take away the enemy cover.  And while the dozers had a protective canopy designed to protect the operators from falling trees and debris, it did nothing to stop and RPG, or for that matter even protect them from small arms fire.  Our NDPs were shared with the Cavalry and Infantry units that were assigned to provide us with protection.  Interestingly, during operations we were the ones that were always on the point of the spear, necessarily so, because our mission was to clear the jungle thus exposing the enemy to our cavalry and infantry units, while at the same time allowing us to find enemy stores, caches, and even enemy underground hospitals.  Although incredibly risky, it was an assignment that made us all proud, indeed the majority of our unit was comprised of volunteers.  We were one of the first, if not the first, units into Cambodia , something that I remember as giving us a feeling of pride, offset by the fear of knowing that we were going into an area in which we expected the worst.    

I was rapidly promoted, achieving the rank of E-6 Staff Sergeant and was awarded three Bronze Stars and the Purple Heart.  My commanding officer also wrote a letter on my behalf recommending me for a direct commission.  I still have the draft copy but I honestly do not remember whether he ever officially sent it to the powers that make that kind of decision.  I do know that my priority was to take the path of least resistance and get out of the Army as soon as I could, so this may have had some impact on both his and my decision to pursue a commission.  In fact I had forgotten all about it until just recently when while going through my military records I came across the draft letter that he had written.

I think my reason for sharing this detail is to make a point; I have a military record that I am proud of, and I would have to believe that making Staff Sergeant in less than three years was a testimony that someone thought I had what it takes to be a leader.  The question that I struggle with is: why didnt I recognize and accept that for what it was, rather than fabricate something else?  Although I believe that now, at 58-years old, I do know why; I also know that it has probably taken that long for me to understand it and I know that I am certainly not capable of explaining it, nor for that matter do I believe it is necessary.  All that is necessary now is to admit it; and I do, and apologize for it; and I do. And then of course live with it; and I will.    

Anyway, seven years ago I thought I had begun to put this behind me, for it was then that one person came to me and questioned my story.  He had never heard it from me, but from someone else; anyway he challenged me and fortunately he did it in such a way that I knew that I had to come clean, which I did.  He was a retired military colonel and interestingly, once I told him the true story I also asked him what he thought I should do.  At the time I had written a letter that I planned to send to all of my fellow employees in which I told the whole story and in which I also tendered my resignation from my position as a union leader.  Once he read the letter, he gave me some surprising advice.  He told me that I should not send the letter because he knew that this story was only known by a very few people.  He went on to tell me that he felt like I was indeed a good man doing a good job.

Today I do regret not sending that letter, however I also do agree with him.  I know that I am a good man, one that made a mistake, a mistake that cuts deep and one that caused me to question my very own character.  But to me, my character is no longer a question because I know who I am and am proud of what I have become.  I like myself and I truly enjoy what I do. 

A final thought, actually more an observation.  I do believe that the person who is responsible for posting my Vietnam story on the website was motivated by something other than the greater good of Vietnam veterans, POWs, or CMOH recipients; I say this based upon the timing of the two posts that I have seen, both done during a time of elections for our union.  I also question that persons courage because in my mind I would expect to challenge someone first, give that person the opportunity to do the right thing and set the record straight, before I exposed them on a public website.  I would do this because I have learned, and believe, that almost every single one of us have our weaknesses, our hidden faults, and because I do believe this I also accept that none of us are perfect, that we are all struggling in some way or another.  To me it just seems like a much more honorable and honest approach to help one another overcome our various hurdles, unless of course our motivation is to capitalize on them.  It also seems to me that when one expects honor of others they should hold themselves to the same high standard.

I want to close by saying that I do indeed apologize for my lie; it was neither honorable nor necessary.  Ironically, though, it did far more damage to me, than it did to anyone else.  The good thing; my conscience is finally, completely and totally clear and as a result I like myself much better.   As for the future, this may indeed come back to haunt me, it may prevent me from achieving a goal, but it will not stop me from trying.  So to whomever, regardless of your intentions; I owe you a debt of gratitude.  Thanks. and I do mean it.  

Sincerely,

Daniel L. Brannan

P.S:  This email is going to as many people as I can think of that may have some knowledge of this story.  It is also going on my future website, with a referral back to your website.  I do not want to hide this or cover it up; I instead intend to live with it, not that I am proud of it in any way, but because I know that I made a mistake, and one that I know that I must correct, if for no other reason than for my own personal satisfaction and conscious. 

Please feel free to contact me at my email address, dan@danbrannan.com.   If you need copies of my DD214 or of the medals that I have received please let me know.  Thanks  

Bump, Ronald E.

Buzbee, Ronald - Rescued 5 from Tiger Cages of Laos Oct Nov 72.

06/27/01
Records indicate from Apr 72 to March 73 stationed at Nellis AFB, NEVADA and Apr 71 to April 72 at Osean Korea as a weapons mechanic.

Mr. Buzbee personally called the P.O.W. NETWORK and apologized for the statements he made in public in Branson,  November 2000. He stated NONE of the statements about 
rescuing ANY POWs was true. He was on NO such mission and was only trying to impress people - carried away by the moment. He is deeply and profoundly sorry, begged forgiveness, 
and was unaware how much pain he may have caused when he made the statements. He stated that he was also hoping we would allow him to volunteer in 2001, and make amends for the 
grief his statements may have caused POW family members present.

From: "howard campbell" <hfc1956@hotmail.com>
To: <info@pownetwork.org>
Subject: I Would Like To apologize-Again.
Date: Fri, 9 Apr 2010 13:28:25 -0400

My name is Howard F. Campbell, and I am a fraud and a liar. I had sent an email of apology to you several years ago, but had a slip, and that apology was voided. Rightly so. I simply ask that you please accept this apology as a sincere effort to get straight again. I know you have no reason to believe me. Once a liar, always a liar, as the expression goes.
 
I have made some very bad choices. I am a veteran of the Air Force and the Army. The Air Force career was a disaster, and I was discharged with a General Discharge Under Honorable Conditions. My Army service was better. I served for nearly eleven years. I would like to state that I was not discharged for a personality disorder; I volunteered under the QMP program during the force reduction after Desert Storm. I was Honorably discharged.
 
I've been through counseling, substance abuse recovery, you name it. I don't know why I did the things I did. But that is not the issue. The issue is that I lied, and stole the valor from true heroes. For that I am ashamed and sincerely apologize.
 
A series of events led to this email. When I was a teacher, I taught a student who subsequently went on to West Point and is presently a captain, after serving two tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. I lied to him about my service. Before he left for Iraq, he came to my house and we talked, and I apologized to him for lying to him and misleading him about my own service. He is the hero, not me. He is my hero. We have not seen each other since, because he knows a real hero now, not a phony wannabe like me.
 
The next event was the illness of my son. He had cancer at age 25, and that caused me to take a long, hard look at myself. Again. I prayed to God that if he recovered, I'd never do any of this stuff again. So far, he is cancer free, and I'm doing my dead level best to honor that promise to God everyday.
 
The last event was the death of a true, authentic American hero, Robert L. Howard. I had the good fortune of knowing COL Howard, as he was my battalion commander when I was assigned to VII Corps in Stuttgart. His death was a jolt. He was one of the toughest, yet fairest, men I've ever known. I thought about him, and I thought about me, and all the feelings of guilt and shame came back again. COL Howard wasn't a fraud and a liar, and neither is his son. He was an honorable man. Yet here I was, just a wannabe. A liar. A fraud.
 
I want to sincerely apologize to all the Rangers, Special Forces, and Special Ops soldiers out there who are putting it on the line every day. I've stolen your valor, and I am disgusted and ashamed by my actions. I just want to man up to them, and hopefully, they will accept my apology.
 
At this point, I've left education. I don't think I have the right to teach students anymore. Maybe I can return after a couple of years away. Sometimes, you just have to look in the mirror and realize that whatever is staring back at you, that is all you are going to be. I just try to be a good person everyday. I am responsible for the lies and deception; nobody else, and I apologize to any and all who may read this who have had the privilege to wear the uniform, as I did. I just never realized what a privilege it was. The sad and ironic part about it is that I was a good soldier, with a commendable record.
 
I would like to clarify just a couple of things. I do have a master's degree from Clemson. Thats all. I do have an undergraduate degree from La Salle University. Thats all. I do have a doctorate from Corllins University, an online university. Thats all. While I may have lied to people and deceived them, I received no personal gain from it. I never received benefits that I didn't deserve. I just wanted people to think well of me, and to think I had done something good and worthwhile. I could've gotten all of that just being myself. I didn't have to lie . I didn't have to be a fraud. I didn't have to deceive people.I know that now; its embarrassing not to have known it before. They would've accepted me as I was, because I'm not a bad person, and I have nothing to be ashamed about concerning the character of my actual service. The Army was good to me. I'd have drunk myself to death had it not been for the Army. But, because I lied, people who know have told other people, and I've lost friends  from being a fake and a wannabe, instead of gaining them by just being myself.
 
To close, I am deeply, deeply ashamed of my actions. I apologize to all the true heroes out there. Sincerely and from my soul itself. Since I am a liar and a fraud, there is no reason to believe me. I understand that, now more than ever. I will try to do the best I can, every day, one day at a time, and hope for forgiveness. I will be leaving my current home and moving to Washington, DC, to get employment. What form that may take, I don't know. something humble, I hope.
 
Sincerely,
 
Howard F. Campbell

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

From: hfc1956@hotmail.com
To: www.info@pownetwork.org
Subject: Self-Reporting
Date: Tue, 23 Nov 2010 17:01:22 -0500

My name is Howard F. Campbell, and I would like to make this site aware of something. I don't know if this is self-reporting or not, but that works just as good as anything else.

For several months, I was corresponding with a celebrity. I will not divulge her name, because she is well-known, appearing on TV and in films. It would also not be the right thing to do. She has a right to her privacy.  I was starting to slide back into that old, easy, comfortable wannabe feeling, and her significant other, a person by the name of David xxxxxxxxxxxxxx, figuratively slapped me in the face. I realized from the first email that he knew what was going on. I told him there was nothing to say, other than I was a liar and a fraud, and asked him for forgiveness and to please accept my apology, as well as his significant other. He stated he had a brother who was a West Point graduate (Class of '96), who led a parachute platoon in Operation Desert Storm, (1990) after which he left the Army. OK. That is his side of the street. I don't have time to worry about his brother.

His response to my email was one of anger, rudeness, and obscenity. OK. There is nothing i can do about that; he has a right to his anger, even if he never served. He got on me about sending "fake hats and t-shirts to a celebrity". True enough. But they were obviously fakes. I tried to explain that to him, but by that point he had blocked me and i couldn't respond. So I shut down (de-activated) the site. He left me with a puzzling little paragraph, about a UserID of Apachepilot6, and having just gotten back from Afghanistan, and not having had a woman for a while, etc. This had a date of 2006; I was right here in 2006. I don't recall ever using apachepilot6 as a UserID, i have never been to Afghanistan, and my wife would be surprised to hear that I haven't been with a woman for a while.

i also want to be very clear about something. I've never met David xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, and never will. I've never met his significant other, initials CC, and i never will. I could be walking down the street, and he could drive by and blow my brains out and I'd never know who he was. But I will give him credit. I was starting to slip, and he caught me in the nick of time, and I'll give him his props for that. I slipped once before, and that was painful enough. I doubt there is a connection, but twice in the past 6 months, and at least two other times in the past several years, my computer was hacked into by somebody, and both times I sent warning emails out to everybody, including his significant other this last time around.  There was no response that I recall.

Another point I would like to make is that we are roughly 3,300 miles apart. I'm not a stalker and not a sociopath that is going to go where they are and relentlessly pursue her. I don't think my wife would approve, for starters. She sent me a note of thanks, handwritten, for the "gifts" that I sent her, which I mailed back to her fan club address today. I don't want it to be construed in any way whatsoever that I was profiting or getting something for being a liar and a fraud.

If nothing else, this proves that a person like me, with an addictive personality, always, always, always, has to be on guard. It was starting to happen again, and got caught in the nick of time. I pray everyday, and try, everyday, to just be the best person I can be for that day. That is why I am sending this to you. I'm learning new behaviors and habits to replace the old ones, and I need people and organizations like yours to help me. I pray, everyday, to be able to live a life based on courage, honor, honesty, and integrity. Thank you for being there for me, in this case, and problems with the time line in his own family aside, I want to thank David xxxxxxxxxxxx. i bear him no animosity at all, to the contrary. I'm told that God puts speed bumps in the road of life to help you slow down and look at what you're doing. I think that just happened to me, and I'm grateful. If David wants to be consumed by anger, call me names, etc, then I can't worry about that. All I can do is apologize, ask for forgiveness, and sweep my side of the street.

Thank you for being there for me.

Sincerely,

Howard F. Campbell  
 

Chapman, David A.

aka Dave Chapman

 

"Peace Among Ourselves:  Facing the Vietnam Veterans Memorial." 

quote

Well, I have never given up on anybody that is listed as just MIA. The POW-MIA issues is a big one of mine, as you can tell. My motorcycle, for  instance with the POW-MIA insignia on it, everything I've got on, I'm always  wearing something that I believe...to put a man's name on that Wall when his  remains have never been returned, is not right. Because that is giving up  hope. Even thought I was MIA for 2 1/2 months....."

endquote

USA 151st Trans Co.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UPDATED: Nov. 10, 2006
MILITARY
Vietnam War vets injuries recognized
Silver Rose given for Agent Orange illness

MARY LANE GALLAGHER

A Blaine resident and Vietnam War veteran received a medal at a Blaine High School ceremony Thursday commemorating his war service and injuries related to exposure to Agent Orange.

Agent Orange, a toxic defoliant, has been linked to several types of cancer and other illnesses, but those illnesses dont make soldiers eligible for a Purple Heart. The Order of the Silver Rose is provided by a nongovernmental organization that hopes to honor veterans and raise awareness about Agent Orange exposure.

David Chapman Jr., Washington state president of Combat Veterans International, said he wanted to let other vets know that the Silver Rose medal was available.

He also hopes the Purple Heart will someday be awarded to veterans who develop illnesses related to their Agent Orange exposure.

My wound is no different from a lot of guys who got shot, or who took shrapnel, Chapman said.

For more information about the Order of the Silver Rose, go to www.silverrose.info.

Reach Mary Lane Gallagher at 715-2285 or mary.gallagher@bellinghamherald.com.

=============================
Other than his claiming to be a POW he harasses different organizations to re- award him his "silver rose" medal for Agent Orange exposure related illness. He claims  he was captured in Vietnam, thrown into some sort of pit but eventually escaped - after  having to kill his severely wounded comrade. Is seen riding his motor cycle often and you can find him anywhere a microphone is visible.

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

Date: Mon, 13 Nov 2006
It was just brought to my attention that my name is on your list of Phony POW's.  I don't know where this information came from but it is bogus! I would love to talk to someone about this matter as soon as possible....either by email, telephone, or in person if necessary. This really saddens me.  
David A Chapman, Jr.    


NPRC re Chapman:
Full name is David Auld Anderson Chapman, Jr. 
Service No. 18 976 093. 
Awards and decorations: National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 2 stars, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon W/ Device (1960), and Good Conduct Medal. 
 
Mr Chapman was trained as a teletype operator and tractor (fork lift) operator. 

On 29th of June 1968 E4 Chapman was AWOL. 
On 8th of August, 1968 the following entry was placed into his record "Dropped from rolls-DESERTION. 

 
......that since Mr Chapman was photographed with the Purple Heart Ribbon which he did not earn he deserves the appropriate attention of the posting of those photos. Also he was never MIA or POW as he has stated many times but actually AWOL DFR'D.
 

One of his favorite war stories was that he was an APC (armored Personnel Carrier) "Captain"

   

From: "DAVID CHAPMAN" <cutthroat_cvi@msn.com>
To: <info@pownetwork.org>
Cc: "David AA Chqapman" <thefreightrain@msn.com>
Subject: PURPLE HEART/MIA
Date: Sat, 13 Dec 2008 19:36:26 -0800

My name is David A A Chapman Jr, from Blaine

wa.  I need to appolagize and clarify.  You have a picture of me wearing a Purple Heart at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. on Memorial Day of 1993. I didn't receive it and didn't deserve to be wearing it. I wore it in front of a lot of guys that knew it wasn't on my DD 214 and irregardless of what my reasoning was at the time, I was WRONG!!!!! I sincerely appoligize to those who did receive it, and anyone elce that that offended. Even the guy that sent in those pics would have to agree....that is the one and only time I wore it, I'm ashamed of myself for that, and I can guarantee it never happened before, or since that date.   As far as the MIA issue....Yes I did use the phrase MIA...but the Government uses "Where abouts Unknown" to my family, and when I was questioned they called me lost, so I was never officially MIA. My Unit wrote down AWOL, and 30 days later DFR as claimed. They didn't know where I was.  Once I was located, I was flown the Vung Tau to the 36th Med Evac Hospital and operated on.  Then they flew me to the 6th Convelesent Center at Cam Rahn Bay. They drw lines through the AWOL and DFR on my 201 file, awarded me the Good Conduct Medal (a year before eligibility)  and then Med Evaced me home.  If I was truly a deserter, They would not have awarded me the GCM then discharge me honorably.  As far as the Silver Rose goes...I thought that was pretty cool...It was presented to me ONCE at my almamater, Blaine High School infront of brothers and Family.  That thing in the Bellingham herald about me saying it is the same as being shot?  I was appauled when I saw it, and if you go to the heralds web site you will see that they printed an appoligy and retraction the next day.  And I never said I was a Captain of an APC, I said I drove an APC, which I did.  I was in Transportation. I had a Motor Pool Lisence to drive any vehicle up to and including a 10 ton Tractor and Trailer, and all Track. Once again my sincere appoigies....and I will freely answer any questions or and provide any documents you would like....David Chapman Jr 

 

2009- Those photos of Dave have to be recent. He said he had Agent Orange so bad that the VA misdiagnosed his strep throat as "Throat Cancer". The VA had an operation done on him to remove his voice box. So he uses a mechanical device to talk. He is talking or reading from something in the one photo and w/o a mechanical device.

CHERRY, JAMES CRAIG 01/2009
05/2009
. http://www.socnet.com/showthread.php?t=82688
The story - the comments

====================================
 
AMCO Foundation delivers holiday gifts to the Cherry Family at Liberty Manor.  James C. Cherry, a former Army Ranger, is a decorated combat veteran who served five conflicts for our country during the Gulf War, with numerous Black Ops deployments. His tenure with the military was terminated when his last mission consisted of his troop being lead into a fatal conflict whereby James was the sole survivor. Severe post traumatic stress disorder prevents James from maintaining gainful employment as well as stable housing.

James with his children, Kayla and Zachary celebrating the holidays.
 
The retired U.S. Army Special Operations staff sergeant fought in five combat zones during his 1990-96 tenure, incurring several injuries that included a dislocated shoulder and a bullet wound to the chest.
For his many acts of gallantry, Cherry, 39, was awarded the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, Airborne Ranger tabs and the Meritorious Service Medal.
 
 
 
James Craig Cherry, a veteran who still feels the pain of gunshot wounds he suffered while serving in Haiti, is required as associate director of Liberty Manor to run errands for all three properties. He has become the Oldsmobile's designated driver.
He "has an impeccable driving record, for he drove a five-star general around when he served as an Army Ranger," Blaney said.
 
 
Krewe of St. Brigit Honors James Cherry at the 2008 Veterans Day Parade
 
 KEN HAGAN:  OUR NEXT AWARD PRESENTED THIS MORNING WOULD BE THE BRAVE CITIZEN AWARD. ONE OF THE TOP HONORS BESTOWED BY OUR BOARD IS THE BRAVE
CITIZEN AWARD.
THIS AWARD WAS ESTABLISHED TO RECOGNIZE RESIDENTS OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY WHO HAVE DEMONSTRATED EXCEPTIONAL BRAVERY.
IT IS MY HONOR TO PRESENT THIS YEAR'S AWARD TO MR. JAMES C. CHERRY.
COULD I HAVE MR. CHERRY COME FORWARD, PLEASE.
HOW YOU DOING?
JAMES CHERRY IS A 38-YEAR-OLD VETERAN AND FATHER OF THREE WHO WAS SHOT WHILE SERVING A COMBAT TOUR WITH OUR MILITARY IN HAITI.
DURING HIS ILLUSTRIOUS MILITARY CAREER, MR. CHERRY WAS AWARDED NUMEROUS DECORATIONS, INCLUDING THE BRONZE STAR, PURPLE HEART, AN AIRBORNE RANGER TAB, AND THE MERITORIOUS SERVICE MEDAL.
BOTH THE TRAUMA ASSOCIATED WITH HIS WOUNDS AND HAVING HAD A FATHER KILLED IN THE VIETNAM WAR EVENTUALLY LED TO MR. CHERRY BEING DIAGNOSED WITH POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER. 
MR. CHERRY WAS LIVING AT A RESIDENCY FACILITY KNOWN AS LIBERTY MANOR FOR VETERANS WHEN HE WAS INVOLVED WITH HELPING SAVE THE LIVES OF TWO INDIVIDUALS.
IN THE FIRST SITUATION, MR. CHERRY RESPONDED TO A FELLOW RESIDENT WHO WAS ENCOUNTERING CARDIAC DIFFICULTIES. 
MR. CHERRY USED HIS RANGER TRAINING TO EXAMINE AND HELP STABILIZE THE RESIDENT WHILE CALLING 911.
DOCTORS AT THE HALEY VA HOSPITAL DETERMINED THAT THE RESIDENT WAS IN FULL CARDIAC ARREST AND THAT MR. CHERRY'S QUICK ACTION DEFINITELY HELPED SAVE THE MAN'S LIFE.
DURING THE SECOND INCIDENT, MR. CHERRY HEARD A HORRIFIC EXPLOSION AND WENT OUTSIDE TO WITNESS A HOME BURNING IN THE ADJOINING NEIGHBORHOOD. MR. CHERRY SCALED THREE FENCES THROUGH BACKYARDS TO RESPOND TO A VICTIM CALLING FOR HELP AND RESCUED THE WOMAN FROM HER BURNING HOME.
FOR THOSE HEROIC ACTS, MR. JAMES C. CHERRY WAS SELECTED AS THE 2008 RECIPIENT OF THE BRAVE CITIZEN AWARD. [APPLAUSE]
MR. CHERRY, WE THANK YOU FOR BOTH YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY AND THE BRAVE ACTS MENTIONED HERE.
IT'S MY PLEASURE TO PRESENT YOU WITH THIS AWARD.
>> I'D LIKE TO TAKE THIS TIME TO SAY THANK YOU.
YOU KNOW EVERY DAY THAT THERE'S -- THERE'S HEROES OUT THERE THAT AS MYSELF HAVEN'T BEEN TRAINED FOR THESE SITUATIONS.
THESE DEPUTIES THAT STAND ALL AROUND THIS ROOM, LAW ENFORCEMENT, PARAMEDICS, OR FIREFIGHTERS, THESE ARE HEROES THAT DO THEIR DUTY EVERY DAY, AND IT JUST SEEMS LIKE, YOU KNOW, THIS IS SOMETHING THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO DO.
IT ISN'T SOMETHING THAT THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO DO, IT'S SOMETHING THEY VOLUNTEERED TO DO FOR THIS COMMUNITY TO MAKE THIS A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE IN.
MY HAT GOES OFF TO THEM.
I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING THEY DO FOR ME.
THEY'RE MY HEROES.
THANK YOU.

SEE ALSO:  http://www.pownetwork.org/phonies/phonies1072.htm     LUDDEKE, JEFFREY HAYWOOD

ACTUAL RECORDS

He is no longer at Liberty Manor, he was asked to leave in Jan. 09.

 

Delivered-To: info@pownetwork.org
From: "James" <stryker-6@hotmail.com>
To: <info@pownetwork.org>
Subject: apology
Date: Mon, 23 Nov 2009 21:58:02 -0500

To whom it may concern:

I must admit that there are lies in my stories of my military records and I do humbly apologize for them.  I apologize to the SPECOPS Family and other soldiers that have done there duty and continue to do their duty to God and Country, while I have embeloshed my service with lies of whom I was and what I did.  Seeing this is a real and horrific embarrassment to me and my Family.  I have disrespected my name and the name they carry with them, as well as the soldiers far and near. 

I served from Sep 1990 to August 26 1996. I was retired for Severe PTSD after my tour in Haiti from Jan 1995 to June 1995.  There was no need for me to embellish my records, however I listened to another person and never made corrections to those that I should have.

Please except my apology and my deepest sorrow for wronging the entire Country, as well as my brothers/sisters in Arms.

James Cherry

 

STILL ONLINE 02/05/2011:


 

POW NETWORK apology to Robert F. Clark

From: P Claro <rclp@hotmail.com>
To: <info@pownetwork.org>
Subject: Apology Paul Claro
Date: Mon, 24 May 2010 10:33:28 -0400

Dear Mrs. Shantag, Mr. Shantag, Mr. Robinson, and all who read this,

I am writing this email as a formal apology to you, the service members, and to those that I have betrayed with my fabrications of truth.
I find myself with deep regret on a daily basis for creating something that I am not. I have dishonored all the SpecOps service members, myself, my wife and most importantly my children...this is not the legacy that I want to leave behind. Although I did serve in the US Navy I am not now nor was I ever a US Navy SEAL although it was my dream and the reason that I joined the Navy in the first place.

I have seen the error of my ways and have apologized to all that I have betrayed, both with email and verbally. I had stopped the stories in 2000 but this last instance of fabrication was due to panic and disgust. I found myself unemployed (company closed) with 3 children, and bills to pay and I panicked. I attempted to inflate my resume so that I could be more competitive in my job search, but I took it to far! After I sent in the  paperwork in question I felt guilty and full of dishonor and within 24 hours formally apologized both verbally and in writing to Mr. Buckley, Mr. Divine, and Mr. Weiner and removed myself from consideration as there were those that deserved it more than I did. I think that I have finally grown up, and smelled the coffee...once I removed myself from consideration I was told that I did not need to create the story to get the job...what a wake up call, at that point I realized that I just need to be me and not try to be someone or something that I am not.

I am full with daily regret and anxiety for what I have done and hope that all those that I have betrayed can forgive me. I can however guarantee that it will not happen again, as I do not wish to have my family and service members dishonored any longer. Please forgive me, and I hope that no further action is taken against me as I feel that my family will not be able to survive it either financially or emotionally.


Sincerely,

Paul Claro
 

Coiner, Clifford Albert

aka Comer, Clifford

aka Clifford Two Smokes 
Comer
Phoenix, AZ
Medford, Oregon
09/2004 ... "Im a pacifist now and dont even own a gun," said Comer, 62, a martial arts instructor who spent 19 months in a POW camp. "I hardly remember any of it. It took me a couple years to get back to feeling human and I dont talk military to anyone." He left the Marine Corps in 1984 as a lieutenant colonel."...

http://www.mailtribune.com/archive/2004/0830/local/stories/01local.htm\

NAME MISSPELLED IN NEWS ARTICLE

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

Mans fabrications rankle local Indians

Clifford Two Smokes Coiner retracts tales of Vietnam heroism he told the Mail Tribune for a story last month

By JOHN DARLING

for the Mail Tribune

Following an uproar in the local American Indian community, a Phoenix man has apologized for claiming that he was a Marine officer, a prisoner of war in Vietnam and was decorated for heroism.

Clifford "Two Smokes" Coiner recanted his story after being asked to come before the Warrior Society, a local organization of American Indian military veterans based in Grants Pass. Coiner confessed that his statements regarding his military service, printed in the Aug. 30 edition of the Mail Tribune, were "a pack of lies" that came from "living in a fantasy world."....

John Darling is a free-lance writer living in Ashland. E-mail him at jdarling@jeffnet.org

Postmarked 04 May 2009:

COLEMAN, KENNETH RONALD 02/2008 . THE STORY AND MORE
 

The apology
 

Cordoves, Joaquin
aka Cordoves, Jack
aka Marrone, Jack
aka Marrow, Jack
aka Marr, Jack
MS 1998
2003
Claims POW - read it for yourself! JOAQUIN CORDOVES, SPEC4, Served 64-68 and 69-70, NO CIB noted, but National Defense; Vietnam Service Medal, Air Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal; Purple Heart; Expert/Rifle; Good Conduct; Sharpshooter/Machine Gun. HHT, 3D SQDN 12th CAV. Europe, Germany, Fort DIX, Hawaii and CA.

From: Jake4566@aol.com
Date: Tue, 24 Jun 2003 02:13:53 EDT
Subject: Letter Of Appology
To: info@pownetwork.org
X-Mailer: 8.0 for Windows sub 6014

My name is Jack marrone aka  Joaquin p Cordoves I appoligise To all of the vetrans  that fought for our country so proudly. Yes i did claim Iwas a
POW it was wrong . I Have no excuse . And I wish to appoligise to all I have offended including my family. There are no words that can express .
the lies ive told. and especially to my combat buddies. I did serve as a scout with D1/9th cav 1st cav Div  from 1966 to 1967  as a 11d 20  I did 
earn a P.H and an air medal and C.I B And this verified. Yes i did lie about being a POW. and disgraced my self. I Dishonered the memories of 
thoese who gave thier life for thier country and real POWs .

---------

Here's another link to Mr. Jack Marrone in the National Sex Offender Registry. http://www.nsopr.gov/
Select Mississippi and enter Marrone for the last name.   
 Jack Peter Marrone 
Aliases: Jack Peter Cordoves

CORLEY, DAN

Covert, Keith

aka Lloyd keith covert

05/2007

12/2009

TROY, IL

----- Forwarded Message ----
From: Greywolf <keith.covert@sbcglobal.net>
Sent: Wed, February 10, 2010 6:09:46 AM
Subject: Re: Apology

To all associated with and members of the POW network this is my Formal
Apology to all who read it :
I was never a POW, these are men and women that went thru hell and back i am not one of them. My claims are false.
PH, SS, BS, My claims of being awarded these medals is a lie. I did not earn a Purple Heart, Bronze Star or Silver Star. I do not have these medals nor
did i earn them. These are awarded to Real Hero's, not some grease monkey
on a flight line in the ANG. The only service i gave was in the ANG and nothing more. I was NEVER associated with any special unit, i was just a crew chief that held the rank of Sgt. I was NEVER in active combat nor am i a Hero, that term is reserved for the members that fought for this Country.
Why did i write all this BS, i guess i wanted to make myself more than i really was. It takes getting your ass in a sling or cut down to size to realize that if you can't speak the truth, then say nothing at all.
My Apology to all of the true Hero's from an ANG grease monkey !

DAVID, DAVID LEON CLARENCE [LC], THE LEGACY 11/15/2009. DECEASED



CLAIMING
SEALS, Special Forces, MACVSOG, Rangers, other
David, David L.C. - CA/AZ  (claiming ALL of the above) - VFW --   EXPOSED

From - Fri Jun 16 11:52:20 2000
From: DDAVID69@aol.com
Date: Fri, 16 Jun 2000 12:23:59 EDT
Subject: Fwd: friends and veterans
To: pownet@asde.com

Dear Friends and Veterans,                                                   
   JUNE 6, 2000,                                           I want to sincerely apologize for my past actions regarding the gross misrepresentation of my past military service.  My motives were not meant to 
harm or dishonor those who have fought and bled foe this country.  My motives were quite personal and at times painful.  I realize now and have for many years, I come to the conclusion 
that for whatever reason, living this daily lie was borne out of a tragic need to be someone people looked up to and admired.  I unfortunately felt that just being DAVID was not good enough. 
 I am now met with full force of rage many betrayed people are justly giving me. I am given, for the first time, a look at myself as simply David, stripped of military honors, and standing on my 
own two feet. what I have done, I did to fill a hole in my heart and not to harm anyone or any veteran who served this country. as I look at my past civic and veteran related volunteering projects, 
they to were to fill a hole in my heart So desperately longed for.  I hope you can look to the good I have tried to do and remember that my sham has brought me great shame, as it should. I am
 finding it difficult to forgive myself and ask you all if you can find a place in your heart to forgive me for what I have done and let me go on with my life with this new albeit soiled identity.  

    sincerely, DAVID LC DAVID ---

NOTE: The P.O.W. NETWORK did not "purchase" the "entire" articles sourced here.

Long Beach (CA) Press-Telegram
NewsLibrary Search Results

Published on 06/24/2000, PRESS-TELEGRAM

ADMITTED FAKE HERO `REBORN'
CONFESSION: DAVID C. DAVID FINDS HE HAS FRIENDS AFTER ALL.  

   Two days after his shameful, dark secret was revealed to the world, David David's life is turning around.

   On Friday, he stood inside Veteran's Stadium, handing out new underwear and socks to homeless war veterans in a volunteer capacity he's held for 10 years. For many, to see him at the annual event was a valiant sight.

Complete Article, 585 words


Published on 06/23/2000, PRESS-TELEGRAM

SHAMED BY WEB OF DECEIT  

   One day after being unmasked as a counterfeit war hero, David David finds he has nothing left to fight but his tears.
   ``I wake up at night crying,'' said David, 63, on Thursday. ``I'm so ashamed of what I did. Twenty-four hours a day, seven hours a week, I think about what I have done. I have no peace.''

Complete Article, 761 words


Published on 06/22/2000, PRESS-TELEGRAM

ONCE REVERED `WAR HERO' TURNS OUT A FAKE  

   Regarding him with reverence was almost a reflex.
   ``That's David David,'' I once heard someone say in awe. ``He was a Navy SEAL. Won a Silver Star in Vietnam.''

Complete Article, 1554 words

DeGrado, Dominic C . 10/2007

09/2009

Dear Mr. Donahue...Please pass this note on to: Letters to the Editor.  ....There is a nation-wide epidemic of wannabes who want to be POWs.  They, and Mr. DeGrado, will be found listed at: http://www.pownetwork.org/phonies/phonies.htm
Your reporters can check the accuracy of my information by calling the Department of Defense directly.  Mr. Larry Greer, PAO for DPMO is info copied on this message.  ...

Thanks, Mike McGrath
-------------------
Dear Editor:
 
In your City and Local section, 30 October 2007, a fraudulent story is being perpetuated by Mr. Dominic DeGrado who claims that he and others were captured during the Vietnam War.  No man by the name of DeGrado was ever held with us, the authentic 661 surviving POWs of the Vietnam War, nor is he known by Department of Defense in this regard. DoD has no record of three men being captured and released.  The official DoD list of all 3,797 MIAs (to include the POWs) is on their web site at: http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo/pmsea/files.htm  Mr. DeGrado is not listed.  He is a wannabe.  Ask him for the names of the other two men he says were released.  He will feign memory loss. 

Captain John M. McGrath, USN (Ret)
5 years 8 months POW in NVN
Monument, Colorado

---------------------------------------------------------
2009 

He still claims he was captured for a couple of days, the three of them escaped, but he can't remember their names. 
DID serve in Vietnam. No record of POW captivity. Discharged an Army E4, July 1970.
Date: Mon, 14 Jun 2010 14:44:59 -0700 (PDT)
From: Dominic DeGrado <degrado48@yahoo.com>
Subject: POW POSTED ON 10-30-2007
To: info@pownetwork.org

 
dear Mary,after all these years I just found one of the men I was on ambush with that night. and I asked him about what happen, and he told me that we all made it back to the company all in one piece Italked to Mike McGrath About this and he told me to contact you. Mary I am VERY VERY SORRY about this after all these years of having really bad dreams, now Iknow the truth and I can put it to rest  , it was only six years ago that I found out I was suffering from P. T. S. D. I was awarded the AIR MEDAL TWO BRONZE STARS AND THE C. I. B. I did not claim to be a P.O.W. for fame or glory in my dreams it really did happen until I talked to Ben and he set the  records straight for me. Mary I am a honorable man and I want to set the records straight and I hope I have. let me tell you one thing if not for me finding Ben and talking to him I would still be claiming to have been a P. O. W. because that was what my dreams where telling me           THANK- YOU FOR YOUR TIME DOMINIC DEGRADO e-mail degrado48@yahoo.com
DEMSKY, MATTHEW  S 08/2010 FL
Matthew S. DEMSKY  was identified as a person of interest due to an online posting showing interest to purchase USCG uniforms. When criminal investigators visited his residence, DEMSKY was found wearing a full set Army ACU. DEMSKY created  a business card portraying himself as a USCG Petty Officer 1st Class, assigned to Sector St Petersburg, Port Security Unit 307.
DEMSKY has no military affiliation. DEMSKY voluntarily surrendered US Coast Guard, US Navy Seabee and US Army uniforms in his Possession.

 
.
 

From: "Matthew C. Shepherd" <veganpunxoioioi@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 28 Oct 2011 13:33:46 -0400
Subject: Matthew S. Demsky
To: info@pownetwork.org

 

To whom it may concern,

 

My name is Matthew S. Demsky, and I am a fraud, a liar, and a disgrace to my country, and the men and women that serve to protect it.  I did, for years, pose as a member of the United States Coast Guard, to impress a woman that I liked.  It started kind of innocently enoughgoing to the local Army/Navy store and acquiring fatigue trousers that happened to have a name tape on the rear end.  While wearing the trousers on the street, the girl came up to me, and I introduced myself as Matthew.  She noticed the patch and asked if I was in the military, and in a split second, a total lack of judgment and low self-esteem, I said yes.  The problem was, the last name on the trousers belonged to someone else.  My last name is Demsky, the name on the patch was different.  So, I told her my last name was something other than what it was, and I wont use the last name in this letter because the person does existIm not sure what his or her first name is, but they once were, or currently are a member of the U.S Coast Guard.

 

So, that is how it began, we started dating, but now I was stuck in this lie that I was a former serviceperson from the USCG, and my last name was different because my mother and father have two different namesblah, blah. I feel like such an asshole, and I amfor lying and deceiving her, her family, and random strangers.

 

Note though that unlike some of the other people here, my intention was not financial gain or achieving public notorietyit was solely to impress a girl.

 

Well, once the lie was there, I had to live with it, and adapt my life accordingly.  Coming up with lies compounded with lies, a lot of research into the elite unit of the Coast Guard that I leeched ontoundeservingly. It was exhausting!

 

The truth came out, finally, for which I am grateful, when the Coast Guard Investigative Service and members of the F.B.I. came to my house and questioned me.  I was honest and truthful with them, because I was relieved that this was finally over.  My girlfriend, who was now my fiance, was filled in on the heartbreaking fact that I am a liar, and a disgraceand an embarrassment all around.  The love was there, so she forgave me, and we spent the rest of our time together getting to know the real people in the relationship.  She was who she was, but meI wore a mask. Which reminds me of a famous quote by Andre Berthiaume, "We all wear masks and the time comes when we cannot remove them without removing our own skin."

 

I came across this website about six months ago, and I was shocked to see my name and face.  But, I do not request that it be removed, that is not the purpose of this letter.

 

The reason that I write this is because of how bad I feel, and how bad I felt at the time.  I got caught in a stupid lie, and I did not have the courage to break the cycle on my own.  I want to say that I am sorry that I did what I did, and I am truly ashamed of my behavior and my deception.  I want to apologize to my fiance for lying to her for so long, and I want to thank her for standing by my side and giving me a second chance.  To her family, I also apologize.  But most importantly, to the men and women that served in our nations military, I owe you the deepest, most sincere, heart-felt apology from the bottom of my heart.   My actions were cowardly and disgraceful, and I will spend the rest of my life working to be a better person, and achieve things myself that I can be proud of without having to pose as something I am not.  It was tiring, and it made me feel worse about myself than I already did.

 

It honestly took this to put me on blast, and with the work of one of the special agents with the CGIS, who I actually just spoke with again a few weeks ago just to catch up, he helped me realize that I can do anything I set my mind to.  I got out of my self-medicating with drugs.  I got a good, decent job that makes me proud of myself everyday, and I no longer need to fabricate falsities to make myself appear as something greater than what I wasa liar, a cheater, a thief and a addict.

 

You all must look down at me with hatred and contempt, for which I deserve.  But, please know that I have learned from my mistakes, and I have made many in my life.  I owe each and every one of you an apology, as well as my gratitude for fighting for this country and the rights that we all take for granted.  I will always admire you, and please know that my actions will never be repeated. I am so sorry for what I did, and to all of you reading this, if you are a serviceperson, thank you, and if you are one of those people like me who is a fraud or are thinking about doing it yourself, dont do it.  Be yourself to be free.  Be proud of who you are, and take pride in what you accomplish in life.  Theres no need to be something youre not.  Men and women in the military are heroes.  They deserve the respect and gratitude that they receive.  Dont take away from their achievements by posing as something youre not. We can each be heroes in our own way, without necessarily serving in the military.  Life every day like it is your last and strive to make the world a better place.  Thats what I took from this whole experience.  So, leave this up here.  You guys are doing a service to the people that serve, and the people who lie about themselves to achieve respect deserve to be ousted.

 

I was a fraud, and a liar.  But, I try to be a better person now than what I was. Please accept my apology and learn from my mistakes

 

Sincerely yours,

 

Matthew S. Demsky

DENMAN, SHADOE
ALEXANDER

 

07/2009

09/2009

10/2009

. http://www.myspace.com/shadoe_denman 
He was a PFC, got kicked out in AIT. Has posted pictures of himself impersonating not only an officer, but claiming units he's never been in, seeing as he never graduated AIT.  Witnesses saw him walk around Ft. Sam Houston, and surrounding areas in Officer Rank.

Claims he is a Sergeant of the United States Army and a member of Special Forces.

Shadoe Denman, a young man who only turned 20 a few weeks ago has worked at this Walmart for 6 months already. According to his claims, he is a former SpecForces Combat Medic who was an Iraq war veteran given a medical 'retirement' (not a discharge!) and left to live his life (and screwed over by Uncle Sam and the VA....). He  wears  a 'Retired Army' cap with the US Army and medical Class A insignia on it...Recently  he wore a field jacket fully decked out in combat, SF, Airborne, and other patches including the rank of SGT. 

Served May 07 to Oct 08. Discharged a PFC.

.      

Date: Thu, 1 Jul 2010 17:35:55 -0700 (PDT)
From: Reverend <denman_football@yahoo.com>
Subject: Apology
To: info@pownetwork.org

 

Let me start off by saying I am sorry. I made a lot of mistakes and I am working to right them. I no longer try to associate myself with anything that I have not earned. I have become an Ordained Minister, and am working to make my and my familys lives better. I also found a great connection and work with vets at the local VA where I recieve my care. Things have completely changed since last year when I was added to the list.
I know that its not honorable to claim fake valor and am going through intensive counceling myself for it, to deal with my own issues.
 
Thanks for you patience and doing whats right, 
Reverend Shadoe A. Denman
DICKINSON, KENNETH D 
aka Sleepy
01/2009 FL Claiming a E-7 Gunnery Sgt,  Recon Scout Sniper, Gold jump wings & scuba badge.
Claims service from 80-96.
 
http://www.wotg.stgfc.com/phpBB2/ - be sure to visit his website!
Actual records and actual claims

From: "Kenneth Dickinson" <Thorgrimm@comcast.net>
To: <info@pownetwork.org>
Subject: Apologies and Personal Contact Data
Date: Sun, 15 Feb 2009 14:40:02 -0500

Gentlemen, I made a grievous error in misrepresenting my rank, time of service, and mos. For that I am deeply sorry, and this will be the only time it ever occurs.
 
But I am deeply concerned over your willingness to post my personal contact data with my current home address and cell phone number.
 
As you are well aware, posting someones personal contact data without their permission is against the law. This act has endangered my wife and children with the posting of that data.
 
No mistake I have made makes it worth endangering the lives of my family like posting my data has done. We all are well aware of the predators who stalk the net looking for just that type of information.
 
So I am requesting, with all due respect, that you take down that document with my address and phone number on it. Please let me know one way or the other if you will comply with my request.
 
Kenneth Dickinson

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

Dear Pownetwork, I had made a grevious error misrepresenting my rank, time in service, and mos. But I never claimed to have recieved Gold Jump Wings or the Scuba Qual Badge.
 
So I am a bit confused as to why those are listed there when even the documents listed as evidence indicates no such claim.
 
So pursuant to Title 18 (U.S.C.), Chapter 33, 704 titled Military medals or decorations states:

(a) In General.--Whoever knowingly wears, manufactures, or sells any decoration or

medal authorized by Congress for the armed forces of the United States, or any of the service

medals or badges awarded to the members of such forces, or the ribbon, button, or rosette of any

such badge, decoration or medal, or any colorable imitation thereof, except when authorized

under regulations made pursuant to law, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more

than six months, or both.

How am I liable for prosecution under the Stolen Valor Act? What I did was reprehensible, but to accuse me of something I never did is just as wrong, don't you think?

So I respectfully request you adjust your entry for me to represent my true crime of misrepresentation and please remove what I did not do. I respectfully request that you let me know of your decision.

 

Thank you, Kenneth Dickinson

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

From: "Kenneth Dickinson" <Thorgrimm@comcast.net>
To: "P.O.W. Network - Chuck and Mary Schantag" <info@pownetwork.org>
Subject: Apology
Date: Tue, 17 Feb 2009 10:32:59 -0500
X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 6.00.2900.3138
X-SpamScore: 0.1
X-MailHub-Apparently-To: info@pownetwork.org

I know you are pobably tired of my emails, but I have one more that needed to be sent.
 
I have been in contact with Staff Sergeant Larry Smith who is helping me work through this error on my behalf. I promised him in an exchange of emails last night, after he helped me realize just how dishonorable I had been by my false claims, to come clean with everything.
 
So in keeping with my promise to the Staff Sergeant and his suggestion, along with the realization I may be prosecuted for my false claims, my denial of claiming the Gold Wings or Scuba Badge on TWS was false. I offer no excuse for this and only state it was sent before my exchange of emails with the Staff Sergeant.
 
 
 
Kenneth Dickinson
 
DiGiacomo, Joseph D. Lakewood, OH 09/2004
05/2005
Claims Vietnam 27 months, Prisoner for 10 months. Claims while leading a group of soldiers, he told them he would blow their heads off if they intimidated the locals. NO RECORDS FOUND

From: Joedigiacomo123@aol.com
Date: Wed, 11 May 2005 07:27:23 EDT
Subject: RE:Joseph DiGiacomo, Lakewood,Ohio
To: info@pownetwork.org
CC: Joedigiacomo123@aol.com

 
I never served in the military, and did not serve in Vietnam and was never a POW.
 
I regret and apologize for any hurt this misunderstanding might have caused to those who have served our country, or to anyone else.
 
I honor & thank all those who served our country.
 
Joe DiGiacomo
Eastman, John A. 11/2005 New Galilee
PA
Claims to be a former Pittsburgh Steeler and Hollywood screenwriter 

EXPOSED, CHARGED, CONVICTED AND SENTENCED   

Nov 22, 2008

 

Apology.

My name is John A. Eastman. Federal authorities contacted me for an interview for misrepresenting my military rank and service. I volunteered to
 attend this meeting and freely admitted my mistake and stupidity, which was documented by the FBI. As it was too late to stop the legal process, 
I accepted my sentence, paid my fine and publicly apologized to the court and local military groups. I also apologized to Mr. Joe Dugan, former 
Director of the Soldiers and Sailors Hall in Pittsburgh. Joe was a great Marine, but unfortunately succumbed to cancer. I attend his funeral.

I am now apologizing to all that trusted me in what I told them, and all present and former military, for my misrepresentations. It is my intent to 
get on with my life and let go of my past screwups.

I thank you in advance for your forgiveness, should you find the capacity to forgive a stupid man.

 

Sincerely,

John A. Eastman


John Eastman
xsceastman65@yahoo.com
 

Date: Mon, 30 Oct 2000 16:44:59 -0500
From: Jon Drolshagen 

Per your request:

    I hereby renounce any claim to being the person describe in your letter.

    I state to you that I was not a SOG operative, a MANCHU, a POW, nor was I ever wounded.

    I wish to apologize to any/all military personnel who I may have unjustly harmed by so stating. I will never again suggest to anyone that I am anything other than that which I am. 

Sincerest Apologies

Jon C Drolshagen

Epperson Carl James, "LtCdr" - AR -- convicted felon  (click for history of)
        aka Epperson, Carl J.
        aka Epperson, Carl James Jr.
        aka Epperson, James
        aka Epperson, Little Reb                                     SEE HIS REAL MILITARY RECORD
        aka Epperson, Tex                                                                                            
        aka Epperson,  J.D.
        aka Epperson, James David
        aka Epperson, Reb
     
Had emailed letter of apology Dec 1999 
to "All Americans I have offended with my lies.. I was never a SEAL, a POW... black ops ..." 
   
APOLOGY VOID

2002 
aka Davis, James 
aka Emmerson, Carl James
- still claims POW, dog fell in the hole, killed the dog, ate it raw, used the rib to kill the guard. Now in SPADES on line game areas. Claims apology was never made by him. NOW IN ALABAMA.

02/2003 - PINCKARD, AL AREA - seen regularly at the elementary school where his WIFE is principal
12/2003 wife WAS principal

APRIL 10, 2003

Unconfirmed Reports-- Epperson was extradited to Arkansas by the legal authorities but has returned to the Pinckard  area. The school principal, will probably not have her contract renewed.  This website may have been a key to his being located by Arkansas authorities.

February 2004:
"He has been married many times - doesn't divorce. Takes what he can and leaves. Uses things like "my mother has cancer, is about to die,  going to her side, will be back when I can."  Never comes back. 
Claims his wife and granddaughter was killed by a drunk driver, his son was killed in a high speed chase. 
Noticed  he has sent you email asking  you to take his name off of your list. Please do not do that. Leave him on there."
                               Signed - 
                               Another victim of his

From: <aubark@alltel.net
To: <info@pownetwork.org
Subject: Apology for my mistakes
Date: Wed, 17 Dec 2003 18:58:26 -0500

To Whom It May Concern:

I am Carl James Epperson.Jr.  I fully acknowledge that in the past i have misrepresented myself as a POW and as a SEAL.
I have taken a a new path in life and I am trying to start over and lead a Christian life with no lies or deceit.

I was never a POW nor a SEAL and for this misrepresentation I do here by apologize for any and all damage I have done.

I apologize to all of the military that I have offended and to the memory of those who gave their life for this great country for claiming such a status among the honorable ones who did I sincerely apologize for this with all my heart.

Futhermore, I was never in "Black-Ops" or anything else so honorable.

I have tried to lead a Christian life in all ways for well over a year now.  I have settled all my outstanding cases with the law and in the process of trying to rebuild a new and honorable life.

As far as my criminal record goes I was only charged and convicted of 1 (one) count of Statutory rape at the age of 16 and that was over 40 years ago I have had some minor run ins with the law over my bookkeeping practices but, that is all settled now.  I have re-married a wonderful woman who knows all about my history and has forgiven me as I hope and pray you will.
I only ask that after this apology that you and I can let this issue die.
Again, I thank you for your time and understanding.
Sincerely yours,
Carl James Epperson, Jr.

May we remind you what you said before?? 

Subject: apology
    Date: Wed, 1 Dec 1999 17:19:26 -0600
    From: "james epperson" <good_to_go11@cyberback.com
    To: <fatmike@mozcom.com
   
    Mike-
    I sincerely apologize to all the Americans that i have offended by my    lies and fantasies and regret them fromt he bottom of my heart. I was
    never a sesal, in desert storm, apow worked black ops or anything else 
    .
    If my death will cause this tuff to go away and let me try to build a  life after I am through with counseling so be it.  This is not a
    threat but, it is the only way i can make you all know how serious i  am about getting this over with and behind me.
    Please accept this apology and know it comes from the bottom of my   heart.
    Thank You
    Carl Epperson

And that was worthless. You told  NEW lies over and over again after it.  Why should we believe you now?

===============
 Wed, 17 Dec 2003

 For the simple reason my life has changed and I am NOT the same person who wrote that apology before I can assure you that I MEAN everything that I said tyo to you this time.  Ihave changed found a new life in GOD and am trying to live the right life,  I am attempting to make amends to all that I have offended and hping I can start a new life in God and hopefully you will accept this as a very sincere apology.
Carl James Epperson

===============
Date: 2003/12/17 Wed PM 09:39:25 EST

This is my third e-mail to you requesting that you accept my apology.
I would appreciate your answering my e-mail and removing my name from this list.
I have truly changed and am no longer that person.  I now live a Christian life and I am attempting to put all the things that I did in my past behind me.  And living a new life in the Word.
Thank you,
Carl James Epperson, Jr.

 

Esparza, Roland M. 09/2010 .

http://www.zoominfo.com/search#search/profile/person?personId=888084901&targetid=profile


http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?p=4780514


....

Roland M. Esparza
Founder, Owner and President, and Team Leader of SSP

* Military

US Army - 5 years active duty, Rank E-5/SGT
Airborne Ranger (US Special Operations Command)
3rd Ranger Batallion / 75th Ranger Rgt
Ranger School Class 10-86
Top Secret National Clearance
US Army Infantry School
Combat Infantry Award
Gas Mask training
Machine Gun Squad Leader (Weapons Platoon)
Trained expert on AK-47, Steyr Aug, M-4, M-16A2, M203, M249 SAW, M60 Machine Gun, FN-FAL Assault Rifle, Berretta 9mm, Colt Gov 45 ACP
CQB Urban Assault Course
Primary Leadership Development Course
SERE School
Airborne Qualified
Air Assault Qualified
Jungle Expert (JOTC Graduate)
Weapons Expert
Mountaineering Certificate
Good Conduct Medal
Overseas Ribbon
Commendation medal (2nd oak leaf cluster)
CWST Certified
Combat Emergency Medical Training
Nuclear Biological and Chemical Warfare Certified
VIP Escort and Bodyguard to Dignitaries and to Upper Echelon Officers as assigned
Long Range Recon and Patrol School
Rapid Deployment Unit
Weapons Ballistic trianing course
Target Discrimination and Live Fire Training
Deployed to Sandinista Crisis - JTFB 1986-1987, Invasion of Panama 1989 - War Veteran and Combat Infantry Award
Honorable Discharge...

http://www.viewnews.com/2007/VIEW-Nov-20-Tue-2007/SWest/17897494.html

Business teaches self-defense

Strategic Service Protection owners have law enforcement background

By AMANDA LLEWELLYN
VIEW STAFF WRITER

Former Army Ranger Roland Esparza is an imposing presence at almost 6-foot-4-inches and 240 pounds, ......


 
No Roland Esparza ever attended Ranger School. Checked the records and the rosters for class 10-86.

 
RLTW
SFC Byron

 

 

ACTUAL RECORDS

From: roland esparza <ssprotection@hotmail.com>
To: <info@pownetwork.org>
Subject: apology from RANGER CLAIM
Date: Thu, 21 Oct 2010 21:41:08 -0700


I AM WRITING A FORMAL APOLOGY TO YOU REGARDING MY STATUS ON THE 'HERO OR VILLAIN" PAGE.
 
I AM SORRY FOR ANY MISLEADING STATEMENTS, POSTS, COMMENTS OR ANYTHING ELSE THAT LED ANYONE TO THINK I WAS A RANGER. I WAS NOT.
 
I WAS A HELICOPTER MECHANIC WITH AN HONORABLE DISCHARGE, AND SERVED AS A DOORGUNNER PART OF THAT TIME.  I SERVED IN THE 1ST CAV, AND 2ND I.D. IN KOREA.
 
NOTHING MORE, NOTHING LESS.  I AM AN IDIOT FOR ALLOWING THIS TO GO AS LONG AS IT DID.
 
I WILL ENSURE THAT ALL PEOPLE I ENCOUNTER MOVING FORWARD ARE CLEAR ON MY RECORD.  I DISHONORED MY SO CALLED "HONORABLE" SERVICE AND DISGRACED TWO GENERATIONS OF WW2 AND VIETNAM VETS IN MY FAMILY. I SERVED AN 8 YEAR CONTRACT.
 
I AM TRULY SORRY TO ALL OF YOU. I AM HUMILIATED BY MY OWN ACTIONS, AND THE RANGERS GET MY APOLOGY NEXT.
 

PLEASE ACCEPT MY FORMAL APOLOGY.
 
GODSPEED
 

 

Fallon, J. Paul aka Paul Fallon Grosse Point MI 09/2002 Claims USMC retired GySgt, Navy Cross, three Purple Hearts, 13 other decorations, former POW, three years in combat. Claims made on  history site msg board 09/13/02.
 March 4, 2003

Greetings:

I would like to begin the process of retracting some of the claims, attributed to me, which are false.  Please provide me with the directions needed to do so.

I made claims to having been a POW and I was not.  I was assigned duties in Operation Homecoming while stationed at the Fleet Intelligence Center Atlantic.  I made claims that I received the Navy Cross and I did not.  My highest award is the Navy Commendation Medal with "V". (I am the recipient of the Purple Heart, Navy Achievement Medal with "V", Combat Action Ribbon,

Vietnam Service, Vietnam Campaign, Civic Action, Cross of Gallantry and others.)  I made these claims in the heat of an online argument with those who had never seen combat or who had never served... who were, themselves acting as if they "knew it all."  I exaggerated my service record thinking it would impress them into shutting up.  It's as simple as that.  I have never, otherwise, inflated either my service record or sought privileges for it.

I can provide my DD214 which indicates the periods of my service and in-country assignment, as well as the medals and citations to which I am the recipient.  It's a shame that I allowed the moment to get away from me or that I could not have just rested upon my actual nearly 10 years of service, for which I am very proud

While this has been an embarassment, it has effected my own feelings of self-worth and contribution even more.  It has caused me to want to avoid discussions about the service and combat and I do not like that feeling.

I seek your help. Thank you.

J. Paul Fallon

Galloway, Bobby Wayne
aka Cmdr Galloway USN Ret.
Clovis/Fresno CA Jan 1999

still at it 04/2002
Claims American Ax-POWs - business card reads " Commander Wayne Galloway, USN (Ret)." Member VFW. VA care including mental health care at one time. Claims 32 years service, 5 YEARS captivity (OR Oct 68 to Jan 69). Released with McCain. Claims wife had him declared dead - he's "on the WALL." Altered DD214 shows Purple Heart and Vietnam Ex-POW. Records indicate Rank of ADJ1... Active duty Oct 23, 1964 - Jan 13, 1972. Awards and Decorations: National Defense Service Medal, Battle Efficiency Award, Good Conduct Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon. DoB 23 April 1946. 
Had CA POW license plates.  NO service connected disability! Reported to VA/ Togo West for fraud in 1999.
Cell phone 559-903-2034 - on American Ax-POWs business card!!
Received by certified mail 06/10/02
 
TO : CAPTAIN JOHN M. McGRATH ( USN RET. )
 
from: BOBBY WAYNE GALLOWAY

 FORMER USN ADJ-1

 S# 697-54-69
 
MAILING ADDRESS BOBBY WAYNE GALLOWAY
5750 E. SHIELDS AVE
SUITE 101 MSC  122
FRESNO , CA. 93727
 
Dear Sir,

 I the above listed person need your help It has recently been brought to my attention that I have been listed by your ORIG. AS BEING
A FAURD To this I do admit .  I am not an EX-POW(EX_PRISONER OF WAR ).
 
 I need your help Sir in correction this problem Any information you may be able to give me will be greatley appericated.
Sir let it be known that tho i am not a EX-POW , I HAVE BEEN AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF A LOCAL CHAPTER OF AMERICAN EX-POW FOR MANY YEARS .Sir tho this did occor it was no reason for me to tell the lies I have told  .
Please except my sincere apployige and I ask , no SirI beg your forgiveness and the forgiveness of all the LOST SHEEP as well.
Things got out of control Please Captain help me correct this wron.
Captain if this is not enough to take this STAIN away from my name and remove me from your list , please Sir let me knowwhat i must do.
Sir if it is your wish I will contact the chapter of EX-POW I am a member of and I will reuest they remove me from its membership roll .
However Sir I would request you will give me FAVOR with this request,
signed
 
Bobby Wayne Galloway
GARLAND, DAMON RAY

 

12/2011 - if you are aware of continued claims that contradict his discharge as an E3, NOT  A SEAL; please let us know.

He is NOT a nurse, and does have a criminal record (domestic violence)...

http://www.exploretalent.com/damongarland    TRIDENT tattoo is still visible in pics.  Had previously claimed that he was shot in the right knee on his last mission in the Middle East.

01/2011

04/2011

FL Claims US Navy, Navy Seal, bounty hunter and more
 


http://www.facebook.com/damon.garland

Date: Tue, 25 Oct 2011 20:31:12 -0400
Subject: Apology
From: Damon Garland <dgarland222@gmail.com>
To: info@pownetwork.org
 
Hello,  my name is Damon Garland.  I wanted to apologize for any claims to be a navy seal.  I was in the navy from 2001-2004, where me and my wife Jennifer were mugged by two men.  I was arrested and later dismissed and all charges dropped for self defense.  The Navy still let me go for the common 3 strikes yer out .  Missing movement, Unauthorized absence without leave, and Disobeying  a direct order.  I received a General Under Honorable discharge with an RE - 4 code.  I recently found out I still have my VA Benefits and my  DD214 will be updated for any due ribbons I was not awarded before my bogus discharge.  I did what any man or woman would do by defending my life and my wife's life.  I was done wrong by the Navy so  I just embellished my career to hide from the pain of how my government did me wrong and how I could not properly protect my wife.  This pain of bogus claims is wearing on my pride and I sincerely apologize to all those who properly earned the right to the claim of Seal.  I recently have undergone a new view on life and truly want a clean start.  I am a patriot and believe in my armed forces.  I would do anything to overturn my discharge and go back in the service.  I am a man and make mistakes and hope I can be forgiven.  As far as my tattoo, I did receive this tattoo from a parlor on panama city beach.  I will get it done over soon, that I promise.  Please take my page down and accept my sincere apology.  Thank you and again please be safe to all the real heroes out there.

 
Damon Garland
   
GEISLER, SCOTT MICHAEL

AKA SCOTT  GRISLER

04/2010  Punta Gorda FL

 

Claims he was in BUDs class 141 - August 13, 1986. He claims Team 6. Claims a "get out of jail free" card. 


If the name you provided is spelled correctly, I do NOT find a listing in the SEAL Database (SEAL Teams and predecessor units from1943 to the Present Day) for anyone named
SCOTT MICHAEL GEISLER. I have also examined possible alternate spellings, and names with similar pronunciations without finding any that appear to be applicable.

There is no one listed in the SEAL Database with the alternate last name “GRISLER” or any variant thereof.

Again, Mr. SCOTT MICHAEL GEISLER has NEVER COMPLETED SEAL training, and he is not now, nor was he ever a Navy SEAL, a Navy UDT “Frogman”, a member of any Naval Combat Demolition Unit (NCDU), or a member of the Naval Amphibious Scouts & Raiders (S&R).

 

Delivered-To: info@pownetwork.org
Date: Mon, 7 Feb 2011 07:47:46 EST
Subject: geisler, scott michael
To: info@pownetwork.org


To whom it may concern,
                                       Someone has checked on the heroes and villains site asking if I was ever in the special warfare community,  I have NOT made this claim and the only thing I can come up with is I have a t-shirt stating seal team.  I have NOT made a claim stating I was in the seals.  Please remove this blip of information on your site about me.  I also ask you post nothing further on my name.  Thank You
 
Scott M. Geisler

------------------------------------------------------------

Delivered-To: info@pownetwork.org
Date: Wed, 9 Feb 2011 09:52:54 -0500 (EST)
Subject: scott m. geisler / grisler


To everyone concerned,
                           Please except my deepest apology for wronging the specops community.  It was not what I had intended to do.  I do apologize for these actions I did.
 
Sincerely
Scott M. Geisler / Grisler
 

Giese, Eugene "Gene" Denver, CO 1998

2001

11/2008

07/2009

08/2009

Claims POW and SF and Army Ranger and ..........
 
. .
 
Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2011 16:36:55 -0700
Subject: Apologies for Misrepresentation
From: Gene Giese <topgiese@gmail.com>
To: info@pownetwork.org
X-SpamScore: 0
X-MailHub-Apparently-To: info@pownetwork.org

 
I would like to sincerely apologies for misrepresenting myself to others (By living the life of the person I wrote about, in my book, living that life vicariously) about my personal military history. I did not go the Ranger School, I was not a POW, Special Forces, and I did not spend the 6-years in Vietnam. I have written a book (Vietnam: One Unaccounted For) and the person in the book is a fictional character. In writing this book I got my and Gene Thomas lives crossed. I really did not do it to hurt anyone and I have not calmed any benefits I was not authorized to have. Since the last posting about me on the Internet, I have received several death threats and have had three vandalism's on my house.
I beg of you and to remove the postings, and I promise I will never confuse my real life with that of my books.
I don't believe I have hurt anyone, but if I have I am profoundly sorry.
 
Gene Giese
Concening Gene Giese:

 
=============
Hi all concerned.........

 
I hate to bother all of you with this apology from Gene Giese, but it is current
as of today.  I first confronted Eugene (Gene) Thomas Giese, Sr. on 2-10-
1998 when he lied to some 200 students and faculty at Regis University in
Denver, Colorado.  He lied to me, to the students, to the faculty (including
professor Dan Clayton), and Army doctor LtCol Brandt (Fitzsimons Army
Medical Center, Colorado).  I have written to all of you before detailing all his
lies.  I kept meticulous notes and I still have them.  He lied about being
SFA/SOA, SOG, FOB-2 1967-70, Force Recon, Distinguished Service
Cross, two Silver Stars, several Purple Hearts, three weeks in captivity as a
POW, a miraculous escape after which he evaded for over 250 miles, etc. 
The lies go on and on and would take many paragraphs to detail.  I've
detailed his lies before, so there is no need for a repeat.

 
His lies are detailed at some length at the following Web Site.  As well, his
real military records are there....and they do not support his claims for some

 
Well...that's it.  It took me 13 years to get this guy to fess up to his lies and
to apologize.  He does apologize in the ...... letter he submitted to POW
Network, today, 2-22-11.  You can read his apology and take it for what it is
worth.  Personally, I accept his apology and will not dog him further.  I
recommend to all of you that you too, accept his apology and let the matter
drop.  No man should be threatened or have his quarters vandalized. 
Please let him go in peace.  He has enough on his mind.  He doesn't need
any of us pestering him any further.  God bless you Gene.  Thank you for
clearing the air on this issue. 

 
MSGT Giese is info copied on this message.  I wish him well in his future
endeavours.  He has learned a tough lesson about integrity.  I have faith that
he will never again do something like this again.  It takes a strong man to
fess up and apologize for a wrong.  I applaud and respect Gene for having
the courage to face past demons and to press on with his life.  Bravo Zulu.

 
Captain J.M. McGrath, USN (Ret)
5 years 8 months in Hanoi
NAM-POWs Historian
=====================
02/22/2011

.......I have been getting death threats from people who read hid web page. I am sorry that I miss led you, but if you take what I told you and match it with my book you will see that I was just living my book vicariously. I am deeply sorry that I jeopardized our friendship because I wanted people to purchase my book.
Now it has become a springboard for some people who are not all there who think it is alright to threaten me because then feel because of the web page it is all okay.
Thanks for your help.
Gene

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

02/22/2011
.... I have no sorrow or pity for wannabees who make false claims for years to the uniformed public hoping that no one will check on them. I say, leave this person's name on the internet site so all, can see what kind of man(?) he is.

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

02/24/2011

....I respect Capt. McGrath's words but "Gene Giese" did this to himself. His so-called "death threats & vandalism" to me, are made up, to gain public pity.
 

GILLAN, JOSEPH A 06/2010 . ACTUAL RECORD
7/17/2010 12:32:00 P.M. Central Daylight Time, josephagillan@aol.com writes:
Ihave just sent the "unconditional apology." to POWNetwork.org -- per earlier request/email rom xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.( even tho my first email was returned as "undeliverabel.")  The folo-up email of apology went throughj, I think/  I am currently out of toen and have limited computer access.  If you choose, you may forward this email, also, tyo thr proper address.  I do not have a bronze Star or two purp-el hearts from my Vietnam era seervice.
 
-- JosephA. Gillan
 
(RA 12 635 641)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

To: info@pownetwork.org
Subject: apology
Date: Mon, 19 Jul 2010 15:12:16 -0400
From: josephagillan@aol.com

 

I apologize for the incorrect information I listed and claimed about my military servcie decorations.
 
Joseph A. Gillan
RA 12 635 641
Guthrie, Gregory Drake "Wild Bill" Ft Bragg, NC 1997- Claims Captured Lang Vei Laos, MACV-SOG, Det A-947 REMOVED from American Ex-POW Organization membership

From: "MIke Guthrie" <tekafit@hotmail.com
Subject: Gregory D. Guthrie
Date: Mon, 08 Nov 2004 13:10:14 +0000
Dear Sir,
I sent you an email apologizing for the portrayal of a Vietnam vet over three years ago. I had been suffering from a state of delusions due to beatings and constant sayings by my father that I would never amount to anything from the age of six and up. I wanted to let you know that I am totally ashamed of the things that I have done.
 
Going to therapy for the last three years as turned my life around for me, my children, and my family.
 
I know I did wrong and must except the consequences but I did want to give you and all the veterans my sincere apologies and regrets. I served in the Coast Guard and did volunteer for Vietnam was not excepted because of my age of 17 and also they would not take young inexperience personnel.
 
I am very very sorry for all the pain I have caused and will never lie or try to deceive anyone again.
 
Very Respectfully, Gregory Drake Guthrie

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Sat, 24 Nov 2001 07:25:08 -0500
From: Gregory Guthrie <gguthrie@hvc.rr.com
Subject: MY name
I do not know how my name appears on your list. I was not and have never
been a POW. I do not claim to be a POW and will never claim to be. MY
son saw this and wanted to know if that was me and I told him no. Please
remove me from your list. Thank you. Gregory Guthrie


Home POW/MIA Name Index Bracelet History Remains Returned Yugoslavia Bios GALA
NETWORK History LOVELETTERS Index Return a Bracelet Statistics Gulf War, Michael Speicher Branson, MO
NETWORK Info Sources Heroes or Villains? Index What you can do  Russian Memoirs Pilots in Pajamas Links
Donations & Sponsorship Live Sighting Index Shopping Guide China & POWs N Vietnamese Interrogators Contacts
email us More than a Band of Metal.... POW  Remembrance Coin...  Order NOW

Hanoi Jane Fonda