THIS PAGE CONTAINS ADULT LANGUAGE

Gyi, Dr. Maung, 
aka Dr. U Maung Gyi
aka Winston Maung Maung 
aka Manbahadur Rai

01/29/01 aka Naik Minbahadur Raj

The Synopsis

The LONG version

The WWII Stories

1982 Poetry

http://www.phonyveterans.com      (MORE ON GYI)

April 25, 2003 Federal Investigator's visited Gyi....

EMAIL NOTES
UPDATED 07/24/2006

If you are a student of Dr. Gyi's and have heard his outlandish claims of having been a POW in Korea, Vietnam, or elsewhere, please provide details as to the story as YOU have heard it.

Your name will not be revealed. Feel free to send anonymous email if necessary. Just state when and where it was said, and in front of how many witnesses. 

SEE THE PENALTIES

There IS a price to pay for lies!

These are email, posted web notes, and information on our efforts to verify Dr. Gyi's military claims - ESPECIALLY the P.O.W. claims.

Dear Chuck, Mary, and friends of POW network, I would like to first thank you for the valuable service you provide. Being a Veteran myself  having joined the Army at 18 I'm always concerned with Veterans issues. I'm also very concerned with young Soldiers and making sure they have every advantage to either get them back home or help them prosper into a long career when I can help.One of the most important questions the Army asks every young troop is religion. What religion are you? Me, I'm a Muslim, I was a Christian in 1985 at 18 but now I'm Muslim. This is a very important question for every young troop. They don't have a preference but they want to make sure and get one thing right and that's your Dog Tags. In case of any emergency, death, or just the routines of life when and if you need a Priest or Preacher or Imam to give you guidance, last rites, or just to help you through the day the Military tries to take care of and provide that for every single troop.

  There is a current trend among some groups of people  in America to disfranchise  Americans of the Muslim faith. This I find inexcusable but what I find completely  intolerable is the suggestion that our soldiers serving in the United States Military of Muslim faith are any less valuable, any less American, or any less the Quiet Hero's that I believe all our young troops to be. Frankly it burns my ass as it does any Veteran I have ever spoken to about it, troops are troops and religion is  whats on your dog tag and what happens when the fight is over and the blood is on the ground. I have taken it upon myself to challenge and confront those who would disfranchise American Military Personnel. In doing so I have discovered a particularly vile situation that concerns Dr Muang Gyi and his cult of followers.

  I recently came into contact with a individual by the name Marc Denny aka Crafty Dog of Dog Brothers Inc. As is the current trend Denny has chosen to sale Martial Arts products using September 11th and  Patriotism as a marketing tool. He is hardly ever far away from American Flags in pictures and he uses Patriotic speech as talking points on his website and within his products. He likes to sell himself to the world as A defender of Freedom and protector of Liberty, A genuine Red White and Blue All American. Recently when I confronted him about his stance on American Muslims he discounted my status as a Veteran. While he was polite at times in public I would go on to find he is a moderator and collaborator on a forum where individuals openly call for the murder of innocent Muslims including American Muslims. I found this particularly disturbing finding him to be completey disingenuous in my dealings with him to the point I saw no point to continue the dispaches and wrote him off as a racist who is all talk when it comes  to real Patriotism like the kind where you support Veterans whether you like the wars they fight or  agree with other details of their lives. Me I support Veterans 100% across the board.  In my anger I asked him basically "if your such a patriot and you were at Woodstock why  were you not in Vietnam?", I would never have asked such a thing if not angered with my patriotism under question which he disregarded because of my religion. He never responded to the Vietnam question but it has been in the back of my mind.

   Out of the blue one day I made the connection of him and Dr Gyi, I could not believe what I found after that. Looking around your website which I have known of for some time, There was  Dr Gyi  the fake General and detailed information, credible and documented  information that he is a complete liar concerning his non existent Military record and false claims of being a POW. Then looking further there it was, A letter from 2000 sent from Marc Denny to POWnetwork where he actually defends this scumbag after what he has done. Then I saw your response to him and I again became quite pissed off. Here he is trashing Americans based on religion and then he defends a Lien scumbag like this Dr Gyi. I did a little checking and guess what? He is to this day in October 2006 listing Gyi as a teacher/Hero on his website minus the Military bravado bullshit. Right there where he is selling Patriotism for money is listed as his hero none other than Dr Gyi, Further checking showed that Dr Gyi was teaching classes with Denny as late as summer 2003 with lots of pictures of him and Denny together and some with the United States Flag hanging above them. I just kept asking myself what the hell Marc was thinking and then it hit, He just does not give a damn about Veterans. That simple, He was not in the Military and possibly avoided the Military so what the hell does he care if this Dr Gyi lied his ass off and played American Hero for more than 20 years if he can make money by having the man around.

   I tried to tell a few people but as I'm somewhat isolated and busy  with my current projects I posted about it a couple places on the Internet. One of them was a website named Bullshido.net where they advertise as outing Bullshitters in Martial Arts. In my mind this was clearly a case of Bullshit that needed to be told. I was a little surprised at the cool reception my findings and questions received but not completely. There was lots of basic "Who Cares?" stuff and some worse but a couple people seemed interested in the facts. At that time someone dumped the thread into their version of a trash can for Internet trolls trollshido. Then comes the latest chapter of the story. Marc Denny wrote another letter, A new letter Oct 2006 again defending this scumbag Dr Gyi and his relationship to him even after he knew the full story then went on to attack the two of you and the POWnetwork as being " quite disreputable and to be lacking in integrity",,,  And in general a undignified and less than credible pack of yapping dogs subject to false accusation and of whom he has no respect for, then he goes on to admit Dr Gyi is and always was a liar concerning the Military. He goes on to say this about the POW network  "If you are going to bring a man down, be man enough to put your name to it." I find this entire drama outrageous,  I will do whatever I can to make sure any  Military or U.S.G. Agency knows the background and history of this situation before they spend one dollar in support of this man Marc Denny aka Crafty Dog or his company Dog Brothers Inc. who  fully supported Dr Gyi after he knew him to be a fraud that used A false U.S. Military Record and POW status to bring fame and status to himself "Dr Gyi" and financial gain to Marc Denny through this relationship. Please feel free to contact me about this matter and feel free to add this e-mail to the public record.  Thank You, Bryan Lee, A concerned  U.S. Army Veteran  



"Woof Red:

Oy vey. What a bizarre thread-- some witty rejoinders and insults are
mixed in, as are some lucid moments by rational people interested in
playing fairly. So for them, would you please post this:

I was introduced to Myung Gyi by my teacher Guro Inosanto. Guro I.
also believed what MG was saying. MG had many fotos of him training in
the field with US military units including formal shots wherein they
posed with him with the banner of their respective units.

I found the training with him to have considerable substance on many
levels.

When I was informed about the POWnetworks site posting something I had
written on Eskrima Digest about MG I went and read what they had to
say. Naturally, I was quite concerned. Over time that I knew him, the
timeline of MG's stories had become more incredible, yet I found the
website to be quite disreputable and to be lacking in integrity.

I am unfamiliar with the current status of the site, but at the time it
consisted nearly entirely of anonymous accusations and hearsay
("Someone told me he said"). They specifically asked for accusations. They
specifically said that anonymous was OK. They specifically said that
hearsay was OK. ("Tell us what you have heard someone say and you don't
need to give his name or yours" :-o :roll: :x ).

This is something I profoundly disrespect. If you are going to bring a
man down, be man enough to put your name to it.

Question: What do you do when a friend/teacher is accused anonymously?

Question: What do you do when a friend/teacher is in trouble?

Question: What do you do when a friend/teacher is down?

Part of my idea you don't abandon friendship when an anonymous pack of
dogs is yapping. You look for people who are man enough to put their
names to what they say before dignifying it with credibility.

So, I took the time to answer them. If you read what I actually say
(and apparently some of the posters on this thread actually did-- thank
you) I spoke to what I personally knew and nothing else. I offered it
simply as something for them to add to their search for truth.

In the subsequent back and forth correspondence between the people
running the website and me I feel they acted with less than full integrity
in what portions of my writings that they chose to post. They
certainly left out all portions where I made telling points. They told me that
they had trained with MG for over 20 years, but did not answer why they
chose now to say the things that they did. They told me they would
explain everything and give their names if I "promised not to tell".

After cleaning up my barf, I moved on and lacking respect for them,
have since then have had nothing further to do with them.

I did ask MG why he did not respond. I would summarize his response
thusly: "Ex-students with personal
problems. I don't have a computer. I don't do internet. I am 70
something years old and I am not going to spend my final days learning how
to use computer, and how to surf the web so I can chase anonymous
phantoms around the internet."

And so I left it there and continued training with him from time to
time e.g. when doing a seminar in Dayton OH I would find time to get
together with him. References to his military "record" ceased appearing on
our website. A couple of years ago, he told me his was retiring-- and
moving to a different state to be near his grandchildren for his final
years.

He sent me a writing which included his retirement speech to his
American Bando Association in which he apologized for any harm he may have
caused and that to do so had not been his intention. Not as clear a
statement as one may have hoped for, but there it is.

In summary:

1) I was introduced to him in a way which gave him credibility. He had
fotos with special units which added to his credibility.
2) His martial arts skills are outstanding-- as is his insight on deep
levels.
3) The plausibility of his stories became stretched, yet the
accusations against him of which I was familiiar were anonymous and hearsay, and
organized by people for whom I came to lack respect.
4) In that he did not defend his record, I ceased doing so. References
to him on our website are now in the context of martial arts.
5) The apparent meaning of his apology is that he admits to having been
a fraud. To have done this is to have done something profoundly wrong
and something which has justifiably angered those who truly have served
and suffered. I do not stand between him and that.
6) I continue to acknowledge him as what he has been to me-- a
teacher.

Which brings me to the question someone presented of "Qui bono?". In
that I have not abandoned him, which I could easily and conveniently
have done, the answer is certainly not me!

One last point, I suspect that my not-so-lucid accuser here is someone
who presented himself on our forum as an American Muslim soldier named
Bryan Lee who in the thread:

http://dogbrothers.com/phpBB2/index.php?topic=852.0

took strong objection to the "Infidel" t-shirts which Gabe Suarez and I
wore on the cover of our joint triple DVD "Die Less Often". Although
BL deleted his posts in a snit upon his departure except for his
goodbye"Fcuk You" post, the counterpoints to his posts remain and may remind
the readers here on Bullshido of the tone of the responses to accuser on
this thread here :wink: Shortly thereafter someone forwarded me a
thread started by BL on the AMOK forum making accusations of a similar
nature and tone to those here.

Anyway, there it is. I think I have covered what needs to be covered,
but if there are any reasonable questions or worthy conversation to be
had please let me know.

The Adventure continues,
Crafty Dog"

Subject: Gyi
Date: Sat, 28 Aug 2004 23:35:44 -0400

I thought that this site might be of interest to you: http://www.goshinkan.org/early_years.htm

Once upon a time he was listed as one of the instructors at this school. Hence that "teach at the college level" thing. I do not know if you have had the chance to visit the site but, you may find it interesting.

Good luck,

One perspective:

As far as martial-arts training went, Maung Gyi definitely got around. The number of students on whom he had direct or indirect (taught their instructors) influence likely would total in the tens of thousands—and I’m one of them—if it were possible to figure. Had Gyi not perpetrated his egregious war-veteran fraud, he now could be widely revered, and deservedly so, as one of the finest hand-to-hand combat instructors ever to teach on American soil. (That is no exaggeration.)

            By now, those Bando people who stick with him are either 1) clueless or 2) willing, for whatever reason, to ignore his serious offense against the military-veteran community in this country—analogous, I think, to John Kerry’s “patriotic” supporters who are willing to ignore or just forget the left-wing, anti-U.S. radicalism that followed his four-and-a-half heroic months in Vietnam.

Marty Kufus

Aug. 30, 2004

Subject: Letter re Gye from Israel

Schlomo                        
April 2, 2004

Gentlemen and Ladies,

Please excuse my English, and please allow me to introduce myself, I am Schlomo, and I am a citizen/soldier of Israel and also am a United States citizen. Recently I was in the United States visiting my relatives, and was briefly introduced to a few returning American veterans of the current Iraq war, and who had just lived genuine combat experiences, and who lived their every day in a hostile and very dangerous world. they were however very calm and modest people, and also had stories of a harrowing nature about their experiences to share with me, probably only because I too am a former combat veteran, as are all of the people of Israel, since we are daily under the threat of a sudden and violent attack by the soldiers of the Palestinian jihad against our people and our land, and also our way of life.

As we spoke and began to know one another, one of these ex-veterans then asked me about our Israeli basic military training, and we began to discuss various fighting strategies and styles, such as are practiced by all military men of all nations. I spoke about the eclectic nature of the training of our soldiers of our military, which encompasses many different types of tactical training, including the martial arts system of "Krav Maga", which includes hand to hand striking skills and grappling and submission tactics, the use of a knife, shovel, machete, batons, pistols, various long guns, and explosives to mention a few. then we spoke about various other styles from other countries, and then someone spoke about another eclectic style from Asia, named "Bando" and taught by a Burmese professor from Myanmar, living in the United States. 

Then there was a moment of silence and eyes moving about the room, and then a burst of laughter followed by some unfriendly and cynical discussion of this imposter of a man named Mung Gye, who apparently is a self professed "master" of all of the martial systems, and worse, claims to have been an actual combat veteran of about a dozen wars, who was also captured several times, tortured, escaped, and so on and so on and so on! even worse, there are actually grown men who are believing this slanderous and incredulous line of you know what. and even worse than all of this, unfortunately and inexcusably; there are actually real true to life American veterans of actual wars and who suffered real combat hardships, that continue to support and perpetuate these felonious, shameful and fictitious lies that this man spews out so shamelessly and without regard or remorse for the pain and  suffering that they cause these men and women and their families! 

How can they live with themselves, knowing the truth about what is happening everyday to the true to life courageous and unselfish men and women who are in a foreign land as we speak, to protect the nation of people that this atrocious fraud and cowardly liar lives his protected life in? Are they not mortified when asked about their perverted allegiance? In my country he would be brought up on charges, and then sentenced to a long term in a military prison, and then deported or exiled! In a Muslim nation he would be publicly tried, stoned, emasculated, and then executed! in most countries around the world they provide for swift justice for the likes of this man, and also for the likes of his followers and supporters.  

Of course only in America can such an egotistical, villainous and despicable criminal such as this man survive and thrive. What a travesty of justice to the honor and memory of the true American veterans, now and then, and upon whom the safety and continuance of this way of a life of freedom and democracy depends. I think I would like the opportunity to meet with and speak with the likes of these persons, and see just what they are made of. better still, send them all to a real combative war zone, maybe Iraq, Israel, or Afghanistan, and then lets see just how brave they actually are, and how well they will fare. and please, send us this one named Gye first!

Thank you sincerely for listening, Schlomo ...

[signed]

Maung Gyi: the Bill Clinton of martial arts in America?

11/24/2003I

I very much enjoyed the program you taught last month. I thought it was a very good learning experience. I know that while I would like to think I am very aware of my surroundings, I have a lot to learn. I came away from the program feeling that I at least know what to look for and do in those types of situations. Just knowing that much gives me a little more peace of mind although I know that I am in no way actually prepared to deal with a situation where I was attacked. Overall I enjoyed the program and thought it was a good learning experience for all of us. Thank you again.

Since we spoke I have had a great deal of trouble telling anyone about my other bando experience. I attended a  Women's Bando Camp while attending Ohio University.  I made arrangements in my schedule to attended  Dr. Gyi's summer camp. I learned about a stick and how to defend myself. I basically just practiced how to do a dance or form. Gyi told many weird stories and made so many sexual comments and suggestions.  I became scared.

Another one of Dr, Gyi's man students also is extremely sexual and his pawing upset me tremendously. I came to learn self defense and did not expect I would have to use it at the camp.

On Saturday night after practice some of us met in Athens. I asked one of the senior women if she had been in Bando long and what were her thoughts of Gyi. I learned a lot from her as she gave me more that I expected. One woman told us how Gyi came to their room in the hotel and suggested that they sleep with him!!

That is not the response I expected. I have left OU and am gaining my masters degree in music therapy. I think Dr. Gyi needs therapy and to stop teaching women.. You are right about the web site Pownetwork. I showed it to my dad who belongs to the DAV and he wants me to never go around Gyi again.

Sorry for telling you all this but I am concerned about other women he might be showing his special Yoga moves.

I would rather stay anonymous.   Thanks for all your efforts on this and related matters...

The martial-arts press: Interested in the truth, or gutless?

Sir:

           How long is the martial-arts press, to which I once was a free-lance contributor (including Black Belt, in 1993), going to ignore the scandal swirling around Dr. Maung Gyi, chief instructor of the American Bando Association?
           Beginning 2 years ago, the man was exposed as a clever liar who shamelessly posed for years, if not decades, as a military-combat veteran. This was no insignificant sham, either; much of his Bando instruction‹particularly that associated with the kukri short sword‹was infused with his first-person accounts of battlefield combat. He promoted his phony military ³service² whenever possible in the media, too. Recently, Gyi was contacted by a federal agent and told to halt this deceit, or else.
           I invite you to view an extensive report of the expose, at http://www.pownetwork.org/phonies/phonies38.htm. Please contact me afterward, if you wish.

Marty Kufus

June 29, 2003

"Undoubtedly many of you and your students received that latest email blast initiated by a former member who has set as his goal tarnishing Dr. Gyi in any way he can." 
      (Actually, by telling & exposing the Truth about this incredible Phony!)
"As I told many of you at the May meeting this individual and the ABA have parted ways forever.  I personally informed him of this via letter and direct phone call."  
       (Actually, this person Quit the ABA, long before you decided to expel him!)
"Please keep in mind that one of my responsibilities as president is to speak on behalf of the ABA." 
       (What about your responsibility as a man of intellect, compassion, courage and conviction to speak out on behalf of, & disclose the Truth? To protect the Memory, Integrity & Honor of  those who have really sacrificed, suffered, & served?)
"Following this I am requesting that no Full or Student Member respond in any manner to this or other communications like it that may follow. I know it will be tempting-but I'm asking you directly not to do this." 
       (Yea, that's the ticket sheep! Give up, and forget about your Inalienable Rights, your personal freedoms of speech & action, that the True Men & Women of Honor, Courage, and Commitment in this country have fought for, defended, and guaranteed with their own efforts & Lives...)
"Jealousy, hate, anger and ignorance like this person has you can find any day." 
       ((You must be talking re Mr. Gyi! He is jealous of the real Men & Women of Valor & Code, our  Veterans! He hates knowing the truth about anyone who is a real or legitimate military veteran or hero, and is angry that He has now been exposed for the butt______, ____ sucking, prissy little _____ that he truly is! )
"Individuals of Dr. Gyi's intellect, skill, knowledge and experience are extremely rare."
       (So are Audacious Liars, Notorious Cowards, and Shameless Frauds of His caliber! And just what experiences are you speaking of? His fictitious military acts of
heroism & valor; His outlandish claims about being a "Grand Master" of the legitimate martial arts; or his made up stories & exploits about being an Olympian athlete, in many and several different venues? i.e. boxing, soccer, biathlon, ...)
"I'd like each Full and Student Member to commit themselves to learning as much (BS!) from Dr. Gyi before he retires (Retreats!) from active teaching (Lying!) in 2005."
       (Yea! Open up, or bend over for one more thrust from the 'Grand Master Baiter'! All you baaaad-ass little sheep, wannabees in black pajamas! What Are You Thinking? What do you think others (people of reasonable intelligence, morality, and conviction) think??? What would you say to, or do about some other clown-impersonator that tried to convince you (or your children) of these lies & misrepresentations? Are There Any True Men (People-Patriots) of Reason or Courage out there??? Anyone willing to speak up for, or take a stand in the name of what's right here???

Sincerely Yours, The Conscience of America)

To: info@pownetwork.org
Subject: Dr. Gyi
Date: Sun, 25 May 2003 01:16:59 -0500

Dr. Gyi...fallen icon

I feel so sad and hurt at this news.  I just found your site today and have

been reading all I could find about Dr. Gyi's masquerade before I made a

comment.  I was watching a movie and someone mentioned Burma.  I

immediately thought of my dear friend of 25 years and did a google search

on him.  He never told me any of his "war stories," possibly because he

knew that I am a veteran.  I heard of his allegedly fighting in Burma in

World War II from a mutual friend, and my respect for him grew.  What a

let-down I received today.  I was his private student in Boxing, Yoga,  and

Bando, but more painfully a friend...a drinking buddy, a confident, a

friend.  I haven't seen him in over two years (I relocated from Athens to

New England), and will now confront him with my heartbreak and a plea for

his public apology and confession.  How can a man who means so much to so

many people make up a sham like this, and WHY?  He was a hero to most

people who met him even without the bogus military resume.  Now he has

blown that all away.

Please withhold my name, I have not contacted Dr, Gyi yet.  Thank You,

UPDATE 06/06/2003

There are far more worthwhile activities than membership in the American Bando Association, a martial-arts organization. Just ask Marty Kufus. The ex-Bando practitioner and former journalist, whose denunciation of Dr. Maung Gyi appears on this Web site, in recent years has devoted time, energy, and sweat instead to training and service as a volunteer firefighter and flood-rescue technician in Texas. During a monstrous flood in October 1998, Kufus and his team—navigating by flashlights in an underpowered Zodiac boat—rescued a dozen volunteer firefighters who themselves were stranded atop high-axle trucks a mile from dry land during an ill-fated evacuation. Kufus chronicled the incident in a 1999 Soldier Of Fortune magazine story—which has had a surprisingly wide readership. (The first-person article’s reprint still is accessible on the Internet under its title, “Bubbas in a Boat.”) On June 26 and 28, 2003, the ex-paratrooper and members of his flood-rescue team will co-star in an episode of “Critical Rescue,” a TV docudrama series on the Discovery Channel. Through reenactments and on-camera interviews, the episode, “Swept Away,” will recreate the record-breaking, San Antonio-area flood and the highly unusual rescues. And unlike Dr. Gyi’s numerous “wartime” exploits, this really happened.

Sent: Saturday, June 23, 2001 7:39 PM

NEWS FLASH!!!

Service group looks into allegations.

NEWS TIP OF THE WEEK. 

WHO: Dr. Maung Gyi, Athens Ohio. Gyi is known to thousands of people in Athens county and      southeast Ohio and has been for decades. Gyi is a retired professor from Ohio University and is currently the Chief Instructor of the American Bando Association. A very intelligent,  personable and kind man to most people who know him, but according to talk in the local area Gyi is now rumored to have made up an elaborate story during the last thirty years, boasting of his military service to the United  States Marines and CIA. One far reaching rumor is that Gyi rescued Catholic nuns who were held hostage by the North Vietnamese, then killed all the captors in hand to hand combat while working for the CIA. WHAT: According to a local veteran rumor mill in downtown Athens; a local Athens County  VFW is discussing allegations concerning Gyi's misrepresenting himself as a US military veteran. For the last year Gyi has been investigated and exposed as a phony veteran on two internet web sites. Rumors have been flying in Athens County since Gyi's Expose was put up on the web sites. Sources revealed during the monthly meeting of VFW Post # xxxx  that board members agreed to discuss the matter further. One of the board members who has over 55 years of service with the post who wished to remain unanimous spoke out,  "Gyi had us all fooled, that lying son of a bitch told the wildest stories you had ever heard, the guy is nuts!", continuing on the member said, "He has done so much for local county vets such as raising money and veterans issues." Speaking again. "The post commander has decided that an Athens County investigating board needs to be seated to sort out allegations involving Gyi. 

 WHEN: During the next thirty days groups in Athens County will be meeting with various people, government agencies, the different service organizations posts and with the Athens County Veterans Service Commission.

  HOW:  Gyi has been involved with various fund raising campaigns during his tenure at Ohio University. Sources reveal that Gyi had taught a campaign class that was highly popular on campus. The class was used by local to create awareness, raise funds and complete public service to the community. A local group of Vietnam veterans have been watching Gyi closely and stated there is reason to believe that patterns of corruption and fund mis-management took place with some university campaigns. Gyi is purported to have kept money from some campaigns in local bank accounts which he then used to purchase martial arts gear for his personal use.

A military tradition is that significant events in a soldier's career such as a senior level promotion, or retirement are recognized by requesting a United States Flag be flown over the the United States Congress in their honor.  The Honorable Ernest F. Hollings requested a flag be flown over the Congress on the 26 May 1997, in recognition of Dr. Gyi's promotion to Grand Master of the American Bando Association. The flag was presented to Dr. Gyi by Mr. Randy Webb during ceremonies of the 1998 Bando Nationals.

If anyone has any questions please call Major James Croker at 404-464-6922
or 770-389-0598

Gyi will be in Chicago in July
Gyi will be in Los Angles in July
Gyi will be in Raddison, Virginia in August

CROSSED SWORDS Newsletter of the American Bando Association.

EMBRACING A CHANGING SYSTEM By Duvon G. Winborne, Ph.d
Quoting Dr. Winborne directly from this recent newspaper (5-30-01)

Greeting to the Bando Family! Three issues come to mind regarding growth and development of the ABA. First is the issue of internal threats and fragmentation within the Association. During the past several past several
months, negative information has been posted on the internet about Dr. Gyi. Essentially, the postings challenge various aspects of Dr. Gyi's military background and experiences. Dates, locations. and events pertaining to his
military career are disputed. I firmly believe that the problems originated from within the ABA. That is, disgruntled member are distributing negative information about Dr. Gyi. My proposed solution to this problem is simple. We 'FAMILY MEMBERS' must continue to focus on the Bando system, and continue to support the noble ABA mission. Dr. Gyi's brilliance as a martial art innovator and scholar is above approach. His contributions have influenced practitioners worldwide, and the combat nature of our system cannot be disputed. Remain focused on the positive.

Date: Thu, 31 May 2001 12:45:27 -0400 

[edited for posting]

This weekend was the Memorial Weekend, its also the American Bando Association National Freestyle Fighting Tournament held in Wheeling W.VA.

1. 
2. There was no mention during the entire event about his military service.
3. He still continued to talk about honoring the American vets ....
4. 
5. 
6. There were vets honored this year as usual but Gyi was not mentioned. This is the first time in 25 plus years.
7. The attendance was down especially his more senior black belts.

I have noticed that there has been four objectives we have accomplished since the web sites have gone up.

A. He is not wearing his uniform or medals
B. He is not teaching in Ohio
C. He has lost his contracts with the U.S. Army
D. He not being honored by the American Bando Association that we know of as a military veteran.

..., thank you for the copy of the Gyi piece. I wonder how he managed to fit in his time with the Chindits while he was doing all that work with the OSS? Some things just do not add up! 

Best wishes

 Hello,

  I've been studying with Dr. Gyi on a seminar basis for 2 1/2 years. I'm currently serving in the USAF and I am a H2H instructor for my unit. My personal input on Dr. Gyi should be seen as such....my own opinion. This is
what I have to say....

Dr. Gyi is an outstanding martial artist with a very deep insight into all arts in general. In his seminars, his system is very well thought out and executed. He is a very humble man, amusing and incredibly intelligent. He
influenced my system of H2H very much and I have a lot to be grateful for...However...

Being a W.W.II buff, especially involving the OSS, I was primarily drawn to him because of his claims as a member of the OSS Detachment 101 in Burma. I supposedly learned the knife fighting system, fist stick, and other close combat techniques of the OSS. The problem I started having (about a year ago) was that his techniques, his history, his claims did not add up to any of my research and data on the OSS. If anyone has done any research into the close combat methods of the OSS, the names of Capt. W E Fairbairn, Col. Rex Applegate and Capt Sykes  would certainly be highlighted. His system resembles nothing to the works of these men...not to mention he doesn't even mention their involvement. When I confronted him with precise questions they were asked and answered as follows (word for word as best to my knowledge):

What got you involved, or why were you recruited for the OSS? 
"Because of my father, he was a member of the SOE!"

Did you ever meet Capt Fairbairn?
"I saw him"

Very cut and dry....

I had asked for his assistance in the design of my H2H system. He agreed and gave me a bonus: classified W.W.II and Gulf War stories. During these stories he described each operation on paper in schematic form. ( I still have these documents for viewing). I also asked him why was he called at such a senior age to active duty during the Gulf War, his reply was " I was sent as a linguist/interpreter, I was also involved in an operation which
consisted in the destruction of NBC weapons". I have these documents too...

I list these specifically because they were directed to me personally, not to the other camp members. Did I hear the other WAR stories? Of-course I did, but they were too many and on subjects that I had no academic data on.
When I first stumbled on to these accusations...they troubled me greatly because I really did admire Dr. Gyi. And being a military member myself, I know the sacrifices American service members make on a day-to-day basis for the protection of this nation and others in distress. On the other hand, it confirmed my gut feeling on legitimacy matters. What I couldn't understand is why would anyone go to such lengths to honor veterans by means of dishonoring them with impersonation. Why do so much? It just didn't make sense. I've suspended all my involvement with Dr, Gyi as well as the BANDO community as of November of 2000. My personal feeling on the actions to take toward Dr. Gyi are very simple....accountability. If these allegations are correct then he shoul! d be held accountable. I do have one question: What is being done about this issue....? Has anyone contacted him on these accounts?

"SAD BUT TRUE"

Hello to all,

I was previously a student of Bando in the Washington, D.C. suburbs for about 6 years on and off.  I started in my late teens and continued until my early twenties.  I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Gyi and being taught at a few of his seminars.  As far as martial arts are concerned I was greatly impressed by the man and his knowledge. I never personally heard Dr. Gyi tell a story about his times in war, but many students as well as my instructors relayed them to me.  Being young and not up on my war history I believed them. I can't fault the man for his martial arts instruction, but if the accusations of his military service are true, I am highly disappointed in
the man.  Though they did not see any combat, both my father and grandfather were veterans.  My grandfathers brother Stanley saw action in WWII and unfortunately was never the same after that according to my family.  I
remember hearing him scream out from his room while having nightmares about the war. Although I have never served, I am highly offended if Dr. Gyi lied about his participation in military service to serve his own ends. (Whatever they may be) Anyway I'll be checking this site periodically to get updates, I'm very interested to see what happens.

Thanks
Anonymous

Subject: [Fwd: Dr. Maung Gyi]
Date: Tue, 20 Feb 2001 20:51:01 -0800
From: 

Greetings,  thought this might be of interest to you.  I also have a post from the DAV stating he is not a member.

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

Subject: RE: Dr. Maung Gyi
Date: Tue, 20 Feb 2001 14:30:35 -0500
From: "Edwards, Dennis CPT" <Dennis.Edwads@Benning.Army.Mil>
To: 

Thanks for the message. The Army doesn't use him as an instructor.  He was at Fort Benning at the invitation of someone who no longer works at the USAPFS.  We have no way to verify his claims and will be removing pictures, references, and such related to him from our website the next time it's updated.

-----Original Message-----
From: 
Sent: Tuesday, February 06, 2001 12:07 AM
To: edwardsd@benning.army.mil
Subject: Dr. Maung Gyi

Good day Sir:
    I'm a retired SSG and martial arts student.  I'm searching for information about Dr. Gyi.  Is the US army still using him as a instructor?.  Is the military satisfied with his claims to be a former gurkha?.  For more information as to why I have this interest, please visit http://www.pownetwork.org/phonies/phonies19.htm or
http://www.phonyveterans.com/gyi.html  sorry to have e-mailed you about this, however this is the only e-mail address I find at the web site with Dr. Gyi's photos.

DEAR POW-NETWORK; 

FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU ARE ATTEMPTING TO DO FOR OUR COUNTRY AND VETS. I HAVE BEEN READING THE CLAIMS AND STORIES ABOUT THE BANDO TEACHER FROM ATHENS, OHIO, MR. GYI; AND I KNOW PERSONALLY THAT SEVERAL OF HIS STUDENTS HAVE ACTUALLY, OR SUPPOSEDLY ANYWAY, SEEN PHOTOS & DOCUMENTS THAT WOULD GIVE SUBSTANCE TO THESE ACCOUNTS. SO I AM FORWARDING SOME OF THEIR NAMES AND ADDRESSES TO YOU, BECAUSE I KNOW THAT THEY ARE ALL HIGHLY RESPECTED MARTIAL ARTISTS, AND OF THE HIGHEST MORAL INTEGRITY AND HONESTY. I AM CERTAIN THAT IF YOU WOULD TAKE THE INITIATIVE TO CONTACT THEM, THAT THEY WOULD BE WILLING ASSIST YOU.  I HOPE THAT THIS WILL SHED SOME MUCH NEEDED LIGHT ON YOUR PURSUITS TO PROVE OR DISPROVE THE ACCOUNTS OR MR. GYI. 

THANK YOU, AND MAY GOD BLESS AMERICA AND HER VETERANS .

(NAME WITHHELD BY REQUEST) 

I find it disturbing that anyone can totally believe anything someone says unless they have the paper or the real validation to back it up. Regardless if it is to help or hinder someone else. Bravado in the arts and war has been known from time out of time. When you want to feel important but your not important you will say just about anything to become important and if you can do it well then a lot of people will believe you. I had to listen to 45 minutes of war stories and how much of a hero he was and how powerful and mystical he is before I could even filter though to the seminar that I was there to learn at and attend that he was hosting once.

I am lucky I know the realty's of what life really holds and the real things that you will face. I do not need to lie or have bravado to make myself important. Because i know this, i know the realty's of what anyone says or does should be based on some reality in fact, don't even offer information or story's about yourself or your life if your not willing too back them up with Validation
and Proof.

Just because you do not have a toe does not mean, you lost it the way you say. I use his example that he gave me overall the one experience i had with him to make my judgments about him and none of his story's or tales were going to make me decide weather i was going to make him a hero. No, it was his skills and what he claimed to be able to do and then seeing him teaching a healing skill and the way he worked with people and students at the time.

I do not care what kind of life you have or what kind of person you have been in the past present or future. All i had to do was sit on the sidelines and watch and listened to what he said to others. It is amazing what you find out this way about someone.

He was sheltered when he was teaching, he would not give direct answers to questions that were asked in an open easy way about techniques on UE- Universal Energy. A very simple concept and one that he sheltered and tried to make mystical. That right there told me what kind of a man he was and I based my judgments from that moment. Not by his words or story's but by his overall example then and there with real people.

Later he tried to make an example of me at that seminar. Because i asked a simple question based on what he was claiming to be doing. And the answer i got was maybe and a dirty look and then 10 minutes later I was made the example by him and slapped down for not taking the art seriously. why? Because i was doing ki exercise with my hands to open the Ki channels in my hands, we were going to do a meditation and healing exercise before the techniques that he was going to teach. based on what he learned wile being in the War, he was afraid that he would be humiliated by me because my knowledge base some how threatened him.

When anyone shrouds things in mysticism and lies it is not hard to know what kind of person they are overall. People just need to educate themselves first about someone.

First watching their actions and then filling in the blanks with information.... Use common sense people. your Basic Survival-War tactics, and you will see the Truths. Instead, of the blind spot in your face.

Tell me why? Because of the false Bravado a lire keeps there inside them. when you dig yourself so far into the grave that you cant get out you have to protect yourself and slap all treats down before you can control them by your bravado and false hoods and mysticism.

I will Quote something i saw one member of one his supporting groups Write once Based on what others set out there in the arts world on examples.

" Who wants to admit that they screwed up that badly? Pride goeth before the fall...but if you don't think people try to cover their mistakes so they don't look stupid, you don't have much experience in the corporate world."

Interesting concept there.

Look first, Listen Next, then Assess the Facts based on what you have experienced first hand then based on knowledge - facts you base your decisions. never fall into the god syndrome or you have a lot to live up too and a lot to face latter.

do i dislike this man? no i dislike no one and hold no grudges against them. That does not mean i will let my common sense get lost because of some stories of Bravado until i have the facts of experience behind it.

The Creeper

Do I know of any better Martial Artists? Would I be lying if I said that there are literally thousands of martial arts practitioners & Teachers in the world; all of whom admire, respect, & idolize their own True "Master" instructors? And most of them have legitimately attained much more recognition, fame, and honors than your prestigious Dr. Gyi! And too, most of them are not universally perceived as Liars & Phonies (by your own account!...)

And I'm sure that You know, that Mr. John Wayne Gacey, the infamous child pedophile, rapist, & mass murderer; also did so much, or a whole 'lot of things' for people & kids! After all, he was a Clown too!! But no one is singing his praises today. And Yes, every man has faults, me included. But I don't exalt or publish my shortcomings in the form of horrendous claims & lies to national & worldwide publications, or deceive hundreds of naive & trusting young people who would call themselves loyal, faithful students & friends! Trust me, my list of faults would certainly take up significant time & space. However, we could list all of the faults, Lies & shortcomings of a hundred perverted, criminally minded persons, and not even come close to the number of those of this man that you would call Teacher, or "Master". 

Teachers, after all, have a sacred trust to educate and protect, & not mislead or deceive their charges. What this man has done is beyond all reason and comprehension!

Your 'legendary' Dr. Gyi (truly a legend in His own mind) may be a fantastic athlete, but an Olympian he is not! THEY have tested & proven themselves in the World Court of Champions; so how dare anyone claim to be one of them (Gyi), or his father (U Ba Than), when neither has even been to see an Olympic Games, much less compete in and win at them! Are you telling us that this Gyi character has fooled & bamboozled (and {edited!] ) you for fifteen years? What does that say about Your ability to judge or evaluate anything accurately? Or anyone? Respect is a whole lot more than just knowledge, skill, or athleticism. It is Honor, trustworthiness, selflessness, integrity, humility, and respect for the Truth. Your Gyi would not know about any of those things if they suddenly jumped up & slapped him in the face (which by the way, they are now...).

We will cut this fraud a "break" when he begins to act in a reasonable manner, and stops insulting the true Heroes & victims of our nations struggles, or Vets!

LET IT GO??? I think NOT! Our Nations pledge & promise to our POW's, MIA's, & KIA's is that they are Not Forgotten; their Deeds, or their Memory! 

And no self serving bastard like Maung Maung Rai Naik Minbahador Raji Winston Gyi-whatever, is going to continue to soil their precious memory & eternal gifts; THEIR LIVES!!! Not by his continuing self serving lies, and attempts to convince us that he is anything other than that which he truly is; a cowardly phony & despicable villain!

RIGHT BACK AT YOU!!! Forever Yours; Nemesis...

*** I apologize to anyone who finds my response offensive in wording, but I felt it necessary to "fight fire with fire". And I'm sure that the "Grand Wizard-Lizard- Poo-bah" whatever, Gyi, doesn't even have the "balls" to cross anyone's face; if he did, he would have already stopped his wild stories & Lies, and made genuine & sincere Apologies to all of those that he has affected and offended! Nem...

10/22/01 - UPDATE - GYI RETURNS - Gyi is personally training students again.

January 31: HE HAS JUST SHUT DOWN ALL TEACHINGS IN THE STATE

January 29: NEWS FLASH TO PUT ON THE WEB!!! 

GYI SUSPENDED ALL MARTIAL ARTS TEACHING IN SOUTHEASTERN OHIO SINCE THANKSGIVING TO ALL STUDENTS, INCLUDING OHIO BANDO, ATHENS BANDO, COLUMBUS BANDO, WHEELING W.VA. BANDO AND THE ATHENS DOCTORS AND PHYSICAL THERAPISTS GROUP HE WAS TEACHING. 

Subject: Dr. Gyi
Date: Mon, 29 Jan 2001 19:04:54 -0500
From: "--My honest opinion--" <Ballsacrossyourface@hotmail.com>
To:  <info@pownetwork.org>

Dr. Gyi may claim some fallacies, but who gives a shit? Do you know of a better martial artist? If you say, "Yes.", then you're a liar too! He does so much for America's martial artists and American War Veterans. Every man has their faults. What are yours?  Why don't you make a list of all your faults and plaster them over the internet for everyone to read? 

Dr. Gyi is TRULY a remarkable athlete and Bando Master. I have been a student of Dr. Gyi for almost fifteen years. He has taught me to honor and respect America's War Veterans, and I do. I see Dr. Gyi as a teacher, and a mentor. I respect him for his knowledge, his commitment to the Bando System, and his continued efforts towards the betterment of others. If he was the President of the United States, it would be incidental to my involvement with him. What I'm trying to say is that I could care less about what he claims to be or not be. I know him through his generous actions and selfless commitments, and that's that. Why don't you cut the man a break?

One last thought... If this website was really in place to honor American War Veterans, then why would you want to bring all this negativity into their lives? Just let it go.

Subject: E-mail story from annonymous
Date: Fri, 26 Jan 2001 04:47:31 -0800 (PST)

Dear POW Network, 

  I too have been "privileged" to hear & read about the many astonishing (absurd) self aggrandizing "tales of valor & heroism" perpetuated by this  "Ringmaster & his Clowns." I also know for certain that this Mr. wonderful cut off his own toes in a lawn mower accident in the 60's; which can be easily verified by any one of his older clan members, or by some of the many faithful of his present flock of sheep. His "original" story was that his toes were lost in a fight with three VC in a tunnel, where Mr. 'Rambo-Gyi' was on a mission trying to locate missing & wounded American soldiers; and he had to dispatch them all with his 'magical power-ranger' Ghurka knife, and he lost a part of his foot to a partially blocked or deflected bayonet strike.

  I wonder how people like Mr. Marc Denny, supposedly a credible person, martial artist & fighter, and of
course a "man of respect for the truth, honor, & integrity" will deal with the truths about his hero Mr.Maung Gyi, when it finally is revealed, and it dawns on him that HE (Denny) has been instrumental in perpetuating these lies himself, by giving his unconditional support, & by lending his name & credibility to this Monster of Liars? (Marc Denny, please Respond!)

  And Hey You 'Blind' believers! Get Your collective heads out of the sand, and finally do something noble & courageous, and help us to stop this shameful & disgracing man from desecrating the memories of our true Men & Women of Valor; Our Vets! How would YOU feel, if You were a real veteran of one of our countries struggles to protect Freedom & Truth? Or what would be Your take on ANY person that lies & pretends to be that which he is not? How would You feel about the Father, Brother, Son or Daughter, or close friend that was killed, lost or tortured defending You, and your rights of free speech & all of the other freedoms that we as Americans share (or take for granted?)? REMEMBER!, there is a Price, and there are Responsibilities for us to meet, for protecting Our Freedoms! Don't let "ANYONE" piss on them, or on our loved ones memories; the way that this villainous liar & imposter has done, & continues to do. 

Your Responses, Please!!

Name withheld by request

Subject: Gyi and the Falklands.
Date: Wed, 24 Jan 2001 07:07:14 EST

for all to read...

I talked with two men this last weekend, one a college professor in Texas and one a successful land surveyor, both in their 40's, who attended a Gyi seminar in 1999 in [ xxx ]. They both said that Gyi claimed in front of the seminar attendees that he trained Gurkha's for the Falkland Islands War in the early 1980's. Another person said he was told by Gyi, not in front of the crowd, that Gyi had several confirmed knife kills in the Falklands War. Another was told that Gyi's "son" had confirmed knife kills in the Falklands.

This is all untrue. My British Army contacts report Gyi did not conduct such training and in fact according to their records, has never trained any Gurkha anytime. The Gurkha units did not participate in that war and were on ships in route when the war ended.

Name withheld by request

Date: Sat, 20 Jan 2001 15:35:42 -0600

Re: The many false, insultive, & criminal claims made by Mr./Dr. Maung Gyi, "Grand Master" of the American Bando association.

I have known of this person for many years, and his claims-stories-lies have been fantastic. I have also spoken with several native Burmese citizens over the years, who are living in the US; and they substantiate that he is neither a "Master" of any Burmese martial system, a "Ghurka" soldier, or a war hero of any type. They are embarrassed, and angry, at his incredulous claims. They believe that he was a 'silver spooned' & spoiled brat as a child & teen, whose parents could afford to send him away to private schools & colleges.

I know of many people who have been personally hurt by his continuous lines of BS. He is a pompous, arrogant, buffoon & blowhard; and he should be seriously & immediately reprimanded publicly, & in a court of law!

And his many publications in the martial arts & military magazines should be "exposed" for the fictitious baloney that they are...

[NAME WITHHELD BY REQUEST]

Subject: Re: Dr. Maung Gyi
Date: Wed, 20 Dec 2000 08:37:47 -0600
From: Chuck and Mary Schantag <info@pownetwork.org>
Organization: P.O.W. NETWORK
To: Marc Denny <craftydog@dogbrothers.com>

Marc,

Sad to see the FACTS have not altered your opinion of Dr. Gyi.  It is insulting to think that you could or would fall for false TORTURE stories from a man that has NEVER been held captive nor tortured a minute of his life.

We have no qualms about the combat and his martial arts. But a master loses all respect when he has to lie to impress, keep or gather students to his way of life. His lies may someday put someone's life in danger. His exaggerations dishonor every veteran and POW we have met - and we have met HUNDREDS and none know Dr. Gyi. THOSE men have scars.

Ask him if he dropped his knife on his foot. THAT is a more likely scenario and much more believable than any torture tale.

Mary Schantag
P.O.W. NETWORK

---

Marc Denny wrote:

Greetings:

My name is Marc "Crafty Dog" Denny and you have some of my postings on the  Eskrima Digest mailing list on your website concerning Dr. M. Gyi.

I deeply honor and respect your mission for truth.   I am not qualified  nor inclined to debate you with regard to your accusations concerning Dr.  Gyi.  So I will speak of what I know.  I wish to state the following and  would appreciate your adding it to my posts on your website.

I am proud to be a student of Dr. Gyi.   As Co-founder and Guiding Force of  the Stickfighting group known as the Dog Brothers, I am intensely interest  in applied fighting skills.  There is no claim here to combat, but those of
 you who are interested what we do may visit us at www.dogbrothers.com where  you will find, amongst other things, a copy of a letter from the early  Ultimate Fighting Championship, which some of you may have heard, turning us  down for being "just too extreme".  I mention this not to brag, for in  contrast to combat we do not compare, but merely to point out that, unlike  much of martial arts, there is real fighting in what we do.  It is from this   background, as well as substantial training with some of the finest teachers  of the Filipino Martial  Arts, that I speak.

I have seen the wounds of combat on Dr. Gyi's body.  One foot is missing a  toe and it is not the pinky or big toe.  The appearance of the foot is  consistent with his explanation of torture.  The other foot is mutilated in  a way that is consistent with his explanation of a hand grenade.  There are  matching scars in his upper back near the shoulder and the upper chest near  the shoulder consistent with his explanation of a bayonet.  I only know  these things from when he was a guest in my home.  I have not seen him show  them in seminar.

In training, there is a feeling unlike with other men.  There is no doubt  in my mind that he has had extensive life and death close quarter hand to  hand combat.  I have trained with some of the finest martial arts athletes  in the world, but the feeling here is utterly different.

As a man I have found him to be highly intelligent, educated, moral, and  spiritual and deeply troubled by what he has had to do in war.  I admire him  greatly.

 Sincerely,
 Marc "Crafty Dog" Denny

Subject: Re: Dr. Maung Gyi
Date: Wed, 20 Dec 2000 15:36:22 -0700
From: "Mike McGrath" <mmcgrath@iex.net>
To: "Marc Denny" <craftydog@dogbrothers.com>
CC: info@pownetwork.org

I just spoke with Mary and Chuck Schantag <<info@pownetwork.org>>  a few minutes ago. They say he claims to have been a POW in Vietnam as well as in Korea. I can't vouch for Korea, but I know my facts on Vietnam. Mike

On 20 Dec 2000, at 14:04, Marc Denny wrote:

What he told me was Korea.

Subject: statement re. Gyi
Date: Sun, Oct 8, 2000, 15:16

     To Whom It May Concern:

         I am an honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. military, a college graduate, and a law-abiding citizen with gainful employment.

         My association with Dr. U Maung Gyi occurred in the first half of the 1990s (the nineties) in and around Athens, Ohio, where he lived and worked as a communications professor at Ohio University. At that time, he also was the "chief instructor" of a national martial-arts organization.

         I personally heard him say, verbally, the following things about his military service:

         He was born "Manbahadur Rai" in Burma, and served in the China-Burma-India Theater of World War Two as a Gurkha soldier. He said he was assigned first to the 3rd Battalion of the 10th Burma Gurkha Regiment. He said he was 16 (sixteen) years old when he first saw combat in the jungles of Burma against the Japanese army. Some of his older relatives, including his father, already were serving in the Allied forces. Professor Gyi said he served as a language translator for British army officers and as a rifleman and field corpsman (medic). He said he participated in several infantry actions, including hand-to-hand combat in which he and other Gurkhas killed with kukris. (Gyi said, one time, that he participated in a parachute jump in Burma.) He said he participated in a mission to find an Allied pilot who had been shot down; his team found the man in the jungle, barely alive. He also served for a short time in the British army's "Chindits." He said he used raw opium to medicate dying Allied soldiers when morphine was unavailable.

           Professor Gyi said he served during the Korean War as a Gurkha soldier with the U.S. 3rd Marine Division. He said he suffered the terrible cold of the Chosin Reservoir alongside U.S. Marines. During his time with the Marines, he said, he learned a method of Ka-Bar knife fighting as taught by a U.S. Marine officer who had served in the Pacific Theater of WWII. Gyi said he was hospitalized during the Korean War, and after his recovery was assigned to guard duty at a POW camp. He said the U.N. guards who supervised work details of North Korean and/or Chinese prisoners were armed only with military-police sticks. One day, Professor Gyi said, he was attacked with a shovel by a POW during a work detail; he reacted by blocking the shovel with his MP stick and then hitting the POW in the head, perhaps killing the enemy soldier.

         Professor Gyi said he served in the Vietnam War, working for the U.S. government as a member of a "black pajama" unit of Asians. The unit's mission included intelligence gathering. During one mission, he was flown away on a U.S. military helicopter. He was wearing Vietnamese civilian clothing; another passenger on the  helicopter, a U.S. Navy SEAL returning from his own mission, mistook him for a hostile "gook" and tried to throw him out of the aircraft or otherwise harm him. Afterward, the SEAL spat tobacco on Gyi's foot and called him an obscene name.  Professor Gyi also said he posed as a clergyman who walked through areas of Vietnam   looking for American POWs.

         [Statement ends]

Date: Thu, 26 Oct 2000 06:22:40 -0400

Sure go ahead and quote me....

...  and I was present at the seminar referenced  - heard his POW claims myself.  HE said he was so beaten as a  POW he had to be sent to Okinawa to a Marine Corps base to recover, that's how he began training with Shimabuku ....

Subject: Dr. U.M. Gyi continued
Date: Mon, 2 Oct 2000 00:19:35 -0700 (PDT)

This is totally weird.

I did some web searching of my own.  On one site he was mentioned has having a degree in international law and PhDs in "psycho-linguistics" and communications. The only hits I had on "psycho-linguistics" were a gag title for a case study used in a seminar for university administrators and "The Psycho-Linguistics Society" where, for a mere $10 you can get a certificate as a "Certified Hypnotist," provided you by their book.  Sounds bogus to me.  Could his departure from Ohio U been because his credentials didn't hold up?

... I noticed in that last batch of material that he claimed he adopted a Nepalese "nom de guerre" for his gurhka service in WWII when he was 16, or 18, or 8(!).  His "writings" sound like they may have been taken for a real gurkha's memoirs.

I'm beginning to suspect he may have indeed served in the Marines at one time, probably late 1950's or early 1960's, in between earning his multiple PhD's, training the minions of a grateful government, and founding the American Bando Society.  Sure would like to see a chronology that fits all his exploits.

Subject: Dr. Maung Gyi
Date: Sun, 1 Oct 2000 18:15:36 -0700 (PDT)

Greetings from the Land of Morning Calm:

I'm sending this through my personal email account so I can vent my personal opinion and not imply a US Government position.

Meanwhile, here are a few points on what you've told me.

1.  As I understand it, Dr. Gyi is Burmese.  If so, how did he wind up in the Gurkas?  The Gurkas are all from Nepal.  They served in the British forces, basically as mercenaries, in regular force units...not generally Sneaky Pete types.  They are superb fighters, but membership in Gurka units is highly restricted...very nearly hereditary.  As far as I can determine, while Gurka units did serve with Wingate's forces in the CBI, they were in no way associated with the 5307th Composit Unit (Provisional), or Merrill's Marauders, which was organized in January 1944 in India from volunteers of various American units there.  The Marauders began a long mission behind Japanese lines in Burma in February 1944.  Incidentally, former Merrill's Marauders are entitled to the US Army Ranger Tab.  Does Dr. Gyi claim this distinction?  I haven't got any reference at hand that talks about MARS Group or the 1360th Composite Group.  Does Dr. Gyi claim to have been a Chindit?  The Chindits, 10,000 strong, were Burmese air-dropped behind the lines to engage in guerrilla warfare.  Given the length of commitment of both the Chindits and the Marauders, I can't see how one person could have served in both, let alone in the British SOE or with OSS and receive all that formal training.  Pretty hard to swallow.

2.  There were no Gurkas in Korea during the war, although there have been small Gurka elements attached to the UN Honor Guard in the post-war years as representative of British Commonwealth forces.  I don't see the military police connection unless he is claiming some counter-intelligence role.  Since it's unlikely that Dr. Gyi can speak Korean like a native (or for that matter pass for one in appearance, Asian or not), I can't figure what he would be doing as an "assassin" or line-crosser.  The line-crossers were all native Korean, often women or children, who went north to gather information.  This program was pretty extensive early in the war, but dropped off later when nearly all failed to return.  Again, a non-Korean would not be in this role.

Also, there was no 3rd Marine Division (or Regiment) in Korea.  The 1st Marine Division (Reinforced) was the USMC element in the Korean War.  The Marines did not get into raiding deep into the north, but 41 Commando, a British Royal Marine unit, did conduct raids, generally to destroy bridges and tunnels, in October and November 1950.  In November, 41 Commando joined the 1st Marine Division for the Chosin/Changin Reservoir Campaign, then resumed their raiding in April 1951 and continued to do so until their departure from Korea in late December 1951.  They were strictly hit-and-run and, as such, suffered only two KIA and 20 WIA and no member of the unit became MIA or POW.  You might be able to get some information form their veterans organization.  Bottom line:  The "Gurka in Korea" story goes way beyond credibility.

3.  No comment on the Malasian episode.

4.  Vietnam:  Why on earth would we want a Burmese language interpreter/interrogator in Vietnam (1962-1965?).  There was no Burmese involvement in Vietnam that I can find.  The 3rd Marine Division (and Regiment) did serve in Vietnam in the northern corps' area from May 1965 to November 1969, but Marines were not involved in the Phoenix Program.  Phoenix was not a unit but was a CIA (then Vietnamese) program designed to neutralize the Vietcong infrastructure or shadow government in South Vietnam.  Other than the  civilian CIA operatives, American involvement was mainly a few Army Special Forces and Navy SEAL people. The "walking from Burma to China" story, with multiple American POW sightings and escapes is clearly a tall tale.  The locals in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia could certainly spot a Burmese trying to pass as one of them.  Even a South Vietnamese would have trouble convincing North Vietnamese that he was one of them.  Generally speaking, the Communists would not allow anyone to just wander around the countryside. They maintained pretty tight control.

5.  No comment on the Somalia, Panama, Desert Shield/Strom, and Bosnia stories other than to say, how did he wind up in Army Intelligence with all that USMC background?  At 64 he's getting pretty long in the tooth to be serving on active duty.

'Nuff said for now.  You've got a live one here.

THE STORY AS TOLD (to another of Gyi's students) BY MAUNG GYI during the latter part of the 90's.

"I was captured after a firefight with the VC, most of my group was wiped out it was horrible, man! I ran a group of American convicts they were called the Misfits and the government gave them to me to train and whip into a fighting force. We were mercenaries who worked in the Phoenix program. ... I tried to hide after the fight and they captured me. I was forced to walk for days to a camp and was beaten by the villagers. The camp was deep in the mountains and I was in such bad shape. The VC beat me and... tortured me many times, man ... I ... almost died. I was forced to eat bugs and they starved me. Then one day the VC traded me in a prisoner exchange. "

asked ... had he heard of other POW stories before and he said sure ....

Subject: Re: Dr. Gyi
Date: Thu, 28 Sep 2000 10:46:34 -0400

Good day
It amazes me that the email stuff can get to just about anyone anywhere and at anytime. This man Dr. Gyi is a remarkable piece of artwork. He has done so much for veterans and martial artists around the world but now he is resorting to such stupid, immature and psychotic type behavior. His stories are so wild that only the feeble would believe them but he tells so many impressionable martial artists this wild stuff that they have no other reason not to believe him.

In order of his military record as told by him will go this way:

1. Served as a Youth Ghurka in Burma during WWII at age 12 goes on to say in hundreds of articles that he then served in the first Long Range Penetration Patrol he says he served with MARS GROUP, 1360 COMPOSITE GROUP, MERRILL'S MARAUDERS, BRITISH SOE GROUP AND OFFICE OF STRATEGIC SERVICES. OF COURSE HE TRAINED AT THE MILITARY BUSH CAMP AND THE MILITARY WARFARE CAMP ALL DURING THE WWII.

2. CLAIMS NEXT THAT HE WAS A BRITISH GHURKA WORKING FOR THE UN IN KOREA AS A MILITARY POLICE, HE ALSO CLAIMS THAT HE WAS THEN TRANSFERRED TO THE U.S. MARINES 3RD. DIVISION AND FOUGHT ALONG WITH THEM AT THE CHOSIN. HE GOES ON TO TELL THAT HE THEN WAS TRAINED BY CAPT. MARTIN 3RD BATTALION 3RD MARINES DIVISION AS AN ASSASSIN AND CROSSED THE LINE MANY TIMES, SUPPOSEDLY HE WAS CAPTURED BY THE CHINESE THEN ESCAPED. THIS IS WHERE THE POW STATUS COMES FROM.

3. FROM HERE SOMEHOW HE GETS BACK TO THE BRITS AND IS SENT TO THE MALAYSIAN UPRISING AND WAS THERE FOR YEARS WORKING AS GURKHA.

4.VIETNAM. AS HE IS A STUDENT-INTEGRATOR-BURMESE LINGUIST WORKING OUT OF THE BURMESE EMBASSY (1962-1965). HE IS NOW AN INSTRUCTOR TO US MILITARY MEN. (THIS IS TRUE) CLAIMS THEN THAT HE WAS SENT TO NAM AS A SERGEANT IN THE US 3RD DIVISION MARINES AND WORKED IN THE PHOENIX PROGRAM, THEN WORKED AS AN AGENT FOR THE CIA TO FIND POW, HE CLAIMS HE WALKED FROM BURMA TO CHINA AND FOUND MANY US POWS BUT COULDN'T GET OUT A MESSAGE CAUSE HIS RADIO WOULD NOT WORK. AGAIN HE IS CAPTURED SOMEWHERE IN 1967 AND ESCAPED FROM 2 N. VIETNAMESE POW CAMPS. TELLS THAT HE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR MANY POW RESCUES CAUSE HE IS ASIAN AND THE VC COULDN'T TELL THE DIFFERENCE.

5. RECENTLY ITS THE SOMALIA-PANAMA-DESERT SHIELD-SWORD-BOSNIA. HE HAS BEEN IN ALL OF THESE PLACES WORKING FOR THE STATE DEPT. AS AN AGENT. SOME TIMES ITS THE CIA OTHERS HE IS  CALLED BACK INTO ACTIVE DUTY AND GOES THERE FOR US ARMY INTEL.

THE THING THAT GOES AGAINST OUR GRAIN IS THAT HE HAS A LIFE MEMBERSHIP IN THE DAV, AMERICAN LEGION AND VFW. AT THAT HE GOES TO CHILLICOTHE OHIO TO THE VA HOSPITAL.

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1.First off he never taught at Harvard that is another lie, if you want proof just check in with the Alumni Association at the Harvard school, they have never heard of Gyi. I think that was made up buy one of his many students.

2. He received his PhD at Ohio University Athens Ohio.

3.Gyi was forced to retire from Ohio University in 1996. Too many ghosts in his closet. If you know about professors and tenure its very hard to get rid of a prof. Well they did get him off campus.