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Army veteran Tim Poe has come under intense scrutiny after he allegedly lied about being injured in combat on national television.
For those of you who missed it, Monday night was a big one for country musician and war veteran Timothy Michael Poe. As a contestant on NBC’s latest season of “America’s Got Talent,” the former Army sergeant won over both the crowd and the judges as he related the story of his time in Afghanistan before singing a heartfelt rendition of Garth Brooks’ “If Tomorrow Never Comes.”
Poe claimed that he had been severely injured during his deployment when a rocket-propelled grenade exploded next to him. Fighting his way through tears and a broken stutter that he said was a product of the brain injury he received from the blast, Poe expressed gratitude for being able to come home to his children.
Now, much of Poe’s story is being called into question. The military has no record of the incident or the kinds of injuries that he describes. Soldiers who were deployed with Poe have come forward and disputed major parts of his account. Even though it’s only been five days since the controversy emerged, he may have already been found guilty in the court of public opinion. Many in the military community are outraged over the alleged fabrication.
Our friends at the You Served blog were able to procure the first interview with Tim Poe after the controversy erupted on Tuesday. In the radio show, Poe spoke at length with well-known milblogger C.J. Grisham, defending his story and addressing accusations being made against him by different news outlets, in particular AGTNews.com.
The Minnesota National Guard has come forward to say that they have no record of Poe’s combat injuries from a 2009 deployment to Afghanistan. Which, to be fair, isn’t all that unusual. The military is notorious for misplacing medical records, as any veteran who’s had to deal with the VA can tell you.
This picture, originally submitted by Tim Poe, is actually U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Norman Bone.
The problem though is not just a lack of proof, but the fact that other veterans have come forward to actively challenge his version of the events. Joshua Hansen, who Poe confirmed was his squad leader in Afghanistan, denies that Poe was ever even close to enemy contact. Others who say they were in Poe’s unit are also disputing his claim that he was injured in combat.
Perhaps the most incriminating piece of evidence against him is the photo he submitted to “America’s Got Talent,” which turned out to be of another soldier, Staff Sgt. Norman Bone. Poe has said that it was an honest mistake, claiming he accidentally sent the wrong picture from his computer.
So far, Poe has maintained that his story is true. It is currently unknown if he will be allowed to continue in the competition, or perhaps even prosecuted under the Stolen Valor Act if his claims are confirmed to be false.
Photos courtesy of NBC and U.S. Department of Defense.
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185 Comments
prosecute him …… he’s a disgrace to combat veterans of all nations
I believe we should double the taxes on people which have never served our country, and cut the Veteran’s taxes in half. Too many lazy good for nothing folks looking for a free ride. It’s time to pay the piper and even the scales.
I EARNED WHAT I HAVE BY GOING TO WAR VIET NAM
I actually am a disabled vet and this Guy is one piece of shit.
ME TOO
another weekend warrior trying to be somehting he is not
HEY I AM A WEEKEND WARRIOR AND WOULD NEVER SAY SOMETHING THAT AINT TRUE I CANT BELIVE THIS GUY HE SHOULD BE HUNG IF IT COMES OUT TO BE TRUE ABOUT HIM LYING
Doesn’t matter if he’s a weekend warrior or not. I did active 6y then Guard 5y so don’t blame it on their status. Plus there are some Guardsman that have more combat time than most active so get off the high horse. He should be ashamed at disgracing himself and our mil.
LLoser
This guy is a great singer. “BUT” he has lost my vote! Why do you have to lie. I always tell my kids don’t lie, it will catch up with youuu. He lost my vote.
He is NOT a great singer. Just sayin’.
His is horrible and what makes it more sad his wife agree with him… this is unreal. Now you really dont have anything …………. So sad people have to use our soliders & Veterans this way.
Well unless he was and is hated by battle buddies, theres no reason for them to deny his military experience and his alleged wounds. That’s a shame too. He would have stood a chance if he hadn’t lied about everything.
Prosecute him for lying on TV? It’s a total douche move to lie about your combat experience but I’m pretty sure it’s not a crime to lie when you’re not under any kind of oath. The president and his staff, from both parties, are full of $hit daily and no one is prosecuting them. You don’t have to believe all of the stories people coming back from Iraq or Afghanistan are telling and you certainly don’t have to prosecute for lying.
actually jeff it is a crime its called the stolen valor act which states individuals will be prosicuted for the Wearing, manufacturing, or sale of military decorations it also states it is a Federal Misdemeanor to represent yourself as an injured veteran in a public fasion for personal gain.
He is an injured veteran (I think). If he is lying they should throw the book at him… I just wonder why the Army or VA can’t find his medical records. Sounds like a lot of BS from him and the government.
being in as long as i was i got out in 2005 i made copys of my med records be cuz of past lost records if you serve make copys!
HEY JEFF I AGREE GEORGE G
I say get a rope… This man is unbelievably stupid for ever assuming if he got on national television and spewed such BS that no one would check his story. What a disgrace he is to his brothers and sisters in arms who have fought so diligently. I as a veteran for one know I do not try to utilize any of my experience to win over the public and get sympathy. This was his way of trying to get in the contest. Brother you were so wrong for this behavior.
Jasarain70,,,,I agree the TV show should have checked on Poe’s story prior to puting him on national television. But before we “get a rope” lets wait and see what the Army and VA dig up. I was wounded in combat and several years later I received my purple heart in formation. My First Sergeant said they were purging records and discovered no one ever did the proper paperwork. Something happened to Poe, the Army admitts that. They just know what happened. Sound like bull to me.Maybe the Army anybe Poe.
I agree, we need to find out the facts before we condemm someone. You are supposed to be innocent until proven guilty.
thanks for your respect I can assure you this soldier has legitimate combat injurries
I’m still fighting after leaving the service 20 years ago for the VA to find dental and medical records in my file that have just “disappeared”. They are no longer there. And there is little I can do about it. If this soldier is not being honest there are circumstances that we may not be aware of. Find out the facts first.
I’M A “NAM” VET.. DON’T CALL HIM “BROTHER”..
I’M A “NAM” VET ALSO, HE HAS DISHONERED ALL VETS.
my brother servred in nam also i would like to say to you guys welcome home and thank you for your service i am also a disabled marine corps vetrain with a bad leg from a training accident i served threw operation endureing freeddom noble eagle and iraqi freedom i spent 1612 yrs in the marine after being out for 10 i never let people think my disalitly is from combat needless to say we had a marine in my old unit that did the same they need to get a good old what happens in the field stays in the field ass stoppin
lol
THANK YOU FRED and Courtc for defending our Country and arriving home safe to your families. When you have other veterans in his same unit saying that he wasn’t injured then I will believe them over Poe. My son did 2 tours in Iraq and on his last one he was injured, but I just thank the Lord every day for bringing my only son back home to me, his sister, wife, four sons, and Grandmother. Again, I’m very proud of all of the Military for defending their flag and defending their Country. GOD BLESS THE MILITARY!
I’m a Nam War Era Vet…never saw Combat…Agreed, do not call him “BROTHER”
You’re all silly, shallow useful idiots. Which “jew” that founded Russian communism coined that term? How many of you don’t know because you don’t know much? Well, other than what you see on The Number One “Jew” Propaganda Network, Faux.
The “jews” chuckle at your stupidity everyday. “Jews” founded communism: http://tinyurl.com/JewsFoundedCommunismPeriod, then foisted it on America in 2001: http://tinyurl.com/JewsAmericasWorstEnemies. Communism could not have completed its mission of world domination without you. Aren’t you proud?
DEAN BERRY MINISTRIES: “When a government outlaws ‘terrorism’, it’s planning something for which ‘terrorism’ is the only recourse. Obviously.”
Lol. This is so ridiculous that I can’t even be remotely offended by it. What I can do is laugh. Hard.
I agree with you brother i am a new soldier actually i been in for almost three years and currently deployed to kuwait i am 21 yrs old i am not going to be like this guy and not show the army values like i said i am in kuwait i aint going to get back home and tell my friends and familiy and really not tell the media that i was in afghan and that i been shot and attacked just to win over a crowd i will tell them the truth if they ask but mainly i am going to pracitce opsec anyways this guy is a disgrace to the past prsent and future soldiers of the us armed forces I THANK YOU JASARAIN FOR YOUR SERVICE AND HOPE YOU HAVE A VERY HEALTHY LONG LIFE A BIG HOOAH TO YOU BROTHER
Perfectly said! As a USN Vet myself I was amazed he was that stupid to not think people would check up on his story …. I realize it may still be early and some of this may be true and he embellished …. but I sure hope he will apologize to the REAL Veterans … GREAT POST!
it a shame on
this show to make him
feel he had to lie
Looks like he already won the competition. Now he’ll be on all the talk shows, write a book, be on Dancing with the Stars, get his own show and make millions. All on a lie. Is this a great country or what? Oh, and I am a veteran and I am very upset about what this guy did, if he’s guilty.
Throw him under the bus!!!!!! (and don’t vote for him or his music)
This is truly sad. His singing was not all that good and I guess he felt like he needed an edge. I care for veterans with TBI and other injuries suffered during OIF/OEF and to have someone fabricate this story is an insult to the veterans that do suffer daily. I can understand if the records are messed up….but if his other unit members are discounting his story…that says a lot. Bad on you, Poe.
You haven’t seen ANYTHING yet. Wait until these troops age about 15 years and you will have phony’s crawling out of the woodwork like field mice, just like Vietnam Vets have had to deal with, before war was popular with the public.
I didn’t think he could sing worth a hoot anyway.
I wouldn’t be so quck to judge. The military lost all my medical records at the end of the Gulf War, I diddn’t get injured, they where just covering their own tracks. Our soldiers are used as test subjects for drugs, and anything else the government wants.
what do you mean? don’t be so quick to judge !!! it dosen’t matter that the military lost all medical records or whether they still had them in this case they may of lost his records but when you have other veterans that physically seen him in country who were in his unit saying he never saw combat or was ever in any sector that saw combat are you calling those vets liars just throwing that out there
I agree with pissed off. We have his own people saying they WERE NOT close to combat. Who will you end up believing? Hair….viet nam 68 69
I am a Military MOM. I know for a fact that they can and do lose records, but there are too many saying NO this did not happen. My dad was a Vietnam Vet, just passed from Agent Orange Exposure along with an Uncle and Cousin all Vietnam Vets, all passed now. My son is on his 3rd tour to the sand. This time with hearing aids because an IED went off in his camp and he has lost his high frequency hearing, but he still serves. I do know that when he returned from Iraq, he had so many stories of guys taking credit and wearing fake medals that they purchased. While I believe in Innocent until proven guilty, I really don’t trust this guy.
I completely agree with you. They would not lie about something like that.
The medical records are now all digital. They started putting all military records on digits. I can see yours being lost back then, but not during these two.
No they didn’t lose ALL the records after the Gulf War…..I was there and they didn’t lose mine!
Right on Rodger! Vietnam Vet. here. Same happened to me, pych meds abuse
This is so sad that he is using stories to gain votes from Americans who would all feel sorry for his sacrifices! Plus what a horrible dishonor for all our solders both past & present! I am glad he was “outed” and trust that he will be punished for a long time to come for his lies!
There was no need for him to lie about his participation in Afghanistan or Kosovo or any injuries he may or may not have received except to create a favorable image of himself for the fans and judges on AGT. He should be ashamed of himself and removed or voted off immediately. If he’s a good musician, he can make it the hard way after tarnishing his image at the expense of others.
Shame if this story is true. he should have chose to honor his fallen and wounded frinds.
Why would someone lie. This day and age so many get caught. A friend of our family
did the same thing after returning from Vietnam. Lied to my mothers Face,
My mother is a GOLD STAR MOTHER, thats right, my Brother,
Fredrick A. Phoebus is on the Vietnam Wall, 8e row 68, To this day if i ever saw this
so-called friend of our family I would let him no what a disgrace he is to all he served with.
They should be put in levenworth and do hard time.
GIve me a break, they fought for our country, did you? Even if he lied, leave him the hell alone. He was still there fighting for our country and yours. Who knows what happens to your mind after you have went through that. My 1st husband was a Vietnam vet also. He was a 20 yr. old kid and came back to the world,(as they called it then) a completely different person. How dare you say to put this guy in Levenworth. You are not a judge and if you think you are, maybe you are the one that should be there. I cannot stand judgemental people!
Innocent until PROVEN guilty. Words from others don’t mean a thing. We need PROOF before taking action against Mr. Poe.As for his singing voice, well, he’s country and he sings country like it should be sung.
Vet or not, he did a GREAT ! job singing~ i dont agree with the lies, IF they are proven to be that. thought it was about TALENT ??? and talent was great
I am shocked ! How can anyone lie like that knowing the truth will come out…..
Even if the truth does not come out…….how ….why ???
as a navy veteran swcn, it really sad and sicking that people would go on national tv and take claim for combat valor and claim injuries just to get crowd and judges reactions in their favor!! discraceful!!
I am a 22.5 years Army veteran who is 100% disabled…I dont agree with the lies the kid is apparently telling, but I thank him for his service anyway…iF HE HAD THE COCONUTS TO SERVE HE CANT BE ALL THAT BAD…
I don’t know what the truth is but I have seen that normally falls somewhere in the middle. As a combat veteran I don’t tell what it was most is best left alone. Having dealt with the army and VA on my disability can understand how medical information is hard to come by. It is to their benefit to keep it covered, so not surprised with issues there.
Having recently going to stolen valor’s web site and using their links I find that the information they have is poor at best. I was given a BS during Desert Storm and they don’t show it. After further checking none of the awards given out in my unit are listed. The 1 AD and 24 Inf are only ones that that got awards in Army. So using anything that they say or don’t take grain of salt.
The other troops in the unit is another story. One tell it so different maybe questionable, as numbers increase then more likely story not right. Is there other reasons that that his mind would be so bent? Does he suffer from PTSD or other issues hit over head in a fight, friendly fire? They are try to cover up as much as they can.
So as I find such lies totally unacceptable, and believe that he should pay for lies if they are proven.
Type your comment here.After further checking none of the awards given out in my unit are listed. The 1 AD and 24 Inf are only ones that that got awards in Army.
I was in Desert Storm serving with the 1/325 AIR and I have all of my awards….
Vietnam was a different war but the same problem // Approximately 2.8 million soldiers stepped foot on Vietnam and less than 1 million of us are still alive // Currently, today, as we speak there are approximately 13 million people who claim to be Vietnam Combat Veterans //
Amen, brother. My dad is a WWll Army Combat Veteran, who, by the way, got to go to Washington on a Land of Lincoln Honor Flight. My grandfather was a WWl Army Combat Veteran. I am a Vietnam Army Combat Veteran. And my son is an Iraq Army Combat Veteran. God bless our Veterans and the USA.
Very sad, but very true. I am a totally disabled Nam Vet. My license plates are BZ and people ask: How did someone like him get a BZ. Hell I cooked for a Grneral and one good steak done it all. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. This cat did serve and if this is a lie then find the reason why. I’m more concerned how 13 million claimed to be Vietnam Vets and they are phoney as hell… Know everything before the lynching. I am only 400% disabled. They asked me to prove I was even there. Yes I did. I spent 3 tours 68-71 and all they had to do is read my DD-214…
I say if he is a waanabe he should get whats comming to him if he can prove otherwise time will tell. You say 13 million claim to be combat vets well they must of hide very well we were always undermanned.
USS Oklahoma city Clg-5 CAR NUC MUC NDS VSM 2 Campains VC with the 1960 bar
This is sad. My father was a WWII combat vet. I have provided care for veterans with TBI, PTSD and other issues. Have worked with veterans who do not have injuries of any kind, though they are rare. The misrepresented picture, and most especially the dispute from his combat buddies, all point to a problem with his story. What may be more sad is that he very likely discredited himself needlessly. He was deployed to Afghanistan in the service of this country, thus, in combat, and heroic nontheless. Lying about his experiences, if he has, served to distract from what he actually did do for this country.
Alpha Mike Foxtrot!
I belive he claimed he earned both a purple heart and a bronze star, if he did not that is a chargeable offence. From what I have researched the man is a fraud, and in my opinion a bad singer.
ever hear of survivor regret, you feel unworthy of surviving when so many gave all. you feel emasulated for not having passed the test. it is not often considered that the fact that you took a lot like everyone else and that what you did give ,did not require the test of being under fire. It is not your lack of willingness to meet the test but rather lack of opportunity. Many cannot say i was blessed to be a cook and feel compelled to say they were in combat. Cut the guy some slack. He did serve and was deployed to a combat area…in his mind that was not enough…. that’s sad… and now he is a national phria…..that’s sadder. Anyone who has been under fire is not threatened by his stories and probably recognizes his lack of selfworth for what it is… nothing to do with them. thank you to all who have served.
The Stolen Valor act was written BECAUSE people like Poe were claiming to be something they aren’t for financial or personal gain.
My father was UDT in WWII, UDT and EOD during the Korean War (UDT were the precursors to the SEALs) and my husband was an Electronics/Communication Tech during Gulf War I, I honor both of their service even though one was Navy special forces and one was an ET…. but neither of them ever lied and said they were something they weren’t and that’s the difference.
Matter of fact my Dad, like almost all special forces, didn’t go around bragging about it to people even though they have the right. If you run across someone bragging about being a SEAL, they most likely weren’t.
Actually, all of the combat vets, that have come under fire, that I have spoken with and those that commented, including my husband, who is 100% through the VA, want to see the government press the Stolen Valor act on this poser. Sorry, but we have zero tolerance when it comes to someone like this. I know a liar when I hear them. And those that have the worst survivors guilt are those that were not able to save a brothers life while under fire. Like my husband.
I’m a 100% Total & Permanently Disabled Iraq War Veteran. I know the crap that you have to go through especially battling the Army/VA. My father served during Vietnam, also 100% after 30 years finally. And my Grandfather whom came to the USA from Poland and went back over to fight the Germans. Our family name is on many walls, in many states, and on a certain wall in Katyn, Poland. My Father said when I luckily came home, that our family is done. We’ve paid enough. We haven’t asked for anything after other than what we needed to survive. We appreciate and Cherish the Benefits we are allowed because of a Grateful Nation. It burns me to see this… And I’m not looking for publicity. All I want in life now is to be left alone, and enjoy the remainder of it, to the fullest. God help him if he is wrong.
God Bless You and your family, Chris. You make your fellow vets PROUD. I second your sentiment: God help him if he’s wrong. Please tell your Dad hello and thanks from an old Vietnam grunt – Same Mud/Same Blood. Semper Fi. USMC 1968-69
Chris,first off thank you for all your family has done. I gave this county 14.5 yrs,during peace time. my son is currently doing his last hitch in the Army, my older son was just active duty retired due to several TBI. A flight medic and very good at what he did. I have trouble believing this young man, yes PTSD can be ugly, but he has many from his supposed unit denying his claims. Using another soldiers picture alone is a huge factor. I am seeing him facing charges under ‘ Stolen Valor’
Thank you for your service – we are beyond fortunate to have families such as yours in our country.
my grandpa came here as teenager alone because ww 1 broke out his family sent him here .I lost a brother in nam had uncle that was wounded in ww 2 we never ask for anything . when I came home I ended in jail in Cal. reason nam vet.
If he has lied it is bigger than “Shame on you” If as been proven over and over recognition of valor in combat have gone unrewarded for 75 years. Look at recent cases of medals of valor being issued for WWII veterans. So as the man said wait for all of the evidence.
While not a combat veteran myself of the Vietnam Era I never ceased to be amazed at the people who claim to have done things, been Seals or Marine Recon when the majority of their service was in the chow hall serving meals. Shame on them.
I served at home and abroad…and my “service was in the chow hall serving meals”..! Pretty damned proud of it too…we all know the army can’t / won’t run on empty stomachs!!! =D
Jasarain70,,,,I agree the TV show should have checked on Poe’s story prior to puting him on national television. But before we “get a rope” lets wait and see what the Army and VA dig up. I was wounded in combat and several years later I received amy purple heart in formation. My First Sergeant said they were purging records and discovered no one ever did the proper paperwork. Something happened to Poe, the Army admitts that. They just know what happened. Sound like bull to me.
This guy is a freaking joke and should be prosecuted to the full extent of the Stolen Valor Act.
I would be more concerned if the guy had never even been in uniform and claimed to be a veteran. That is one undisputed fact.And THAT is what the Stolen Valor Act was designed for. Not to police war police war stories of people who have served. The fraudulent non-profit Disabled Veterans Nationional Foundation has given less than 2% of their earnings to Veteran’s or Veteran’s groups. Everything else goes in their own bloated pockets. Let’s see…a non-profit exploiting disabled veterans to get money that they do not distribute? So the guy has a fish story. BFD. Spend your time helping the ones who need help and stop the complaining.
He opened the can of worms, or as my family would also say, made his own bed, now he has to lay in it. The thing is, when it comes out to be fact that he lied about so called combat injuries, he opened up what we call, a can of whoop a** on himself. Combat vets that have seen and been through the sh*t don’t take too well to others that try to glorify themselves and make themselves seem like they went through something that they really did not. I just hope that he does not get hurt, which is very likely to happen. He needs serious help regarding his melon.
just another one
why do rednecks lie so much, they just can’t help it.
Really? Anyone who calls himself “honest sailor” must be believed I guess.
I say get all the facts first, then proceed to the next step!! Wait and see what else emerges.
Actually, Poe’s lying about his service, besides being just terribly shitty to real vets/heros who did serve honorably and/or were wounded, IS a crime – a Federal crime, under the Stolen Valor Act – to claim unerned decorations. I hope they kick his lying ass off the show, and I hope that they do prosecute him!
Jerk!…..SGT> GANGESTAD
This blimish on all of us whoo have,or are serving our great nation.He should be told to go home with his lies and live with them.A Viet Nam Vet.
This new interview makes me sick …….. http://www.wfaa.com/news/local/RAW-VIDEO-Watch-Timothy-Poes-interview-with-WFAA-158297025.html
He is a sad sad man ……
Two issues imho. If he’s guilty of a crime, prove it and he’ll get his lumps.
The 2nd issue is whether or not he’s deserving of winning the Idol title. If you voted for him because of his story when you really thought someone else was better, shame on you. If you voted for him because you thought he was the best, then that should stand regardless of the other issue.
DISGRUNTLED AND DISGUSTED: I am an old retired Army Sergeant, who spent 26 years in the US Army and served in both the Korean and Vietnam wars. I have to tell you these liars and wanna be’s should be made to visit an Army hospital/rehab center and let those veterans there, kick the shit out of them. I for one, would give him my best shot, since his comrade’s in arms say he is full of shit and lying his ass off.
there have a chance to
He shouldn’t have lied, but on the other hand, he is still a very talented singer. If he is allowed to continue the competition, he might do well anyway, if they base their judgement on his talent and not his story.
It is totally believable that military records get lost. When I moved locations long after retirement, both my husband and I filled out the forms to have our records sent to our new location. He got his, I never got mine. My late father in law was a WWII Navy vet with severe injuries on the USS Marblehead in the Java Sea, He was burnt from head to toe, lost an ear and most of the other and multiple schrapnel wounds. After 3 years in a hospital, and working on a ship for another year, they denied his request to re-enlist and gave him a lousy 40% disability from the Navy Relief fund back then. When his wounds caused more problems as he aged, including lung cancer from the phosphorus bombs that burned him, all his medical records had been lost. He had been told he’d probably not live to 35 or have children. He had 2 children and we lost him Dec 2011 at the age of 92.
TOTAL SHAME,THAT’S THE GOVERNMENT 4 YOU,PEOPLE WHO DESERVE IT DON’T GET WHAT THEY ARE DO! SERVICE CONNECTED VETERAN U.S.ARMY
isnt there a law against impersonating a soldier, is he really wvwn who he says he is. Im a mom of 3 children in the military and im outraged and the bullshit he is spilling.
Until the proper authority has reviewed the facts, don’t judge him based on what you saw on TV.
We loved this guy. I hope he didn’t lie.
I served in the Civil War .
God has blessed the man with a good voice. Let him sing for God is the judge. Why put a person down.
Can anyone attest that he stuttered before he went to Afghanistan?
he should be disqualified from the show. he is showing disrespect for all of us who have served proudly in the military, no matter what branch. you do not lie about your service to your country, especially claiming to get injured. how can he even live with himself knowing he lied. i want him off of the show.
well reported. I’m sure he will have his day in court.
Actually it is a crime for this hoever the supreme court is suppose to rule on this soon if it hasnt already whether it is constitutionaly legal or not but he needs to rethink about lying because to many have come forward that says he didnt and to think that your squad leader wouldnt know whether you seen combat or not is hard to believe that he wouldnt
My ex father in law served in vietnam. Hes not happy at all by this. My ex husband is still in the military. He was hurt in a training excercise and they over looked him for 5 yrs. He is just now gettting the help. Because he couldnt go to afghn. They were going to discharge him when he got hurt on the military training. He is now getting his treatment. But after many yrs of not has hurt him and his family alot. But as what was said. If this man was lying god help him.
I returned home in November with my best friend and her four children from Dover AFB, we were there to bring her husband home who was a TRUE fallen Hero. We attended his funeral in Arlington and buried again a true hero. This man is a disgrace to not only every soldier that has and will serve but to every truly wounded veteran that has served. Both my husband (who is a disabled Veteran) and now my son serves and to me there is no other honorable profession than that of a military member. He should have any medals striped, he should be prosecuted and any honorable discharge changed to dishonorable. How dare anyone make up a story to gain popularity and possible financial gain. He is a true disgrace.
He lied the WORSE kind of a lie, he took a made up story or another soldiers story used to to pull at the heart strings of the judges and the American public, it is a simple fix send his lieing ass home, as soon as the live shows, have him come out on stage 1st in front of the live audience, Don’t let him say a word have all 3 judges hit their buttons and have him do the walk of shame as the audience lets him hear the Boo’s that he deserves.
If this guy is a fake…he should be prosecuted. I am outraged!!!!!
This guy is a total waste ! He definitly should be off the show, and publicly disgraced for his actions! Thank you and God bless all the true heroes who serve us everyday!
why not leave the guy alone? he obviously has injuries from something. why do they have to look for things to tear contestants apart. if and i say “if” these are military inflicted wounds; won’t everyone feel like fools? let him prove his allegations and quit jumping to conclusions. God bless our soldiers, past, present and future and their families and all of those that have been injured to keep our beautiful country free. i love you one and all God bless you and your families
because it is wrong to deface the military and say you are some war hero when you really aint seen nothing and nothing happened to you it disgraces the military this guy really doesnt show any army values i say hang him for false facts this is coming from a military view because myself is military
His stutter disappeared when he got off stage
my brother stuttered when he talked but didnt wehn he sang so what is your point? just wanted to put your 2 cents in to judge someone too! wow
AMEN! Well spoken!
His stutters went away when he got upset during the interview with that military blogger. That is one big sign that he is faking them. Anyone knows that when someone has TBI and it has triggered stutters, they tend to come out during stress and get worse when angry. I live every day with a man who is going through it, due to real combat. Just because he got sent to Landstuhl, Germany, does not mean that it was due to combat injuries. Also, they would not lose records like those. Those are too big and important to lose. Besides, they are all on computer now. They input them in right away, if not, while treating. Also, when he got sent to Germany, and determined he wasn’t going back to the sandbox, they would have removed him off of the battle roster and put the reason and that he was labeled as rear d…….. I myself am a OIF era vet, no combat, but my husband, OIF combat vet that was a line medic with the infantry for 10 years.
I too am a veteran and I also work in the government and I am here to tell you that NO, everything is not computerized. I have a service connected disability from my time in the Marines and Desert Storm, when I go to the VA now, they input things on the computer but older records may not be on the computer. As a gov employee, I can tell you that there is still tons of stuff on paper! I do however agree that stutters do get worse when upset, angry, agitated or nervous. That aside though, I don’t believe the story simply because so many others who were there are refuting his story! I hope they fry him!
besides the fact the show is suppose to be on TALENT not sympathy I hate my injuries and how could some one do that? going was enough but getting injured sucks!!!!!!!
thank you…..
My father was a Nam vet and my husband is an Afghani vet. This story makes me so angry. As a daughter of a Marine and a wife of a Marine, Someone who could lie about an event such as this makes me sick. Which my husbands paperwork and files have been lost a dozen times because of the VA but if his friends are coming forward and saying that this is not true I would have to believe the friends. Shame on you Poe.
When in the service, it was never enterered in my SRB that I was married or that I’d given birth to my eldest daughter. I had given birth to her at my duty station, had taken her to the S-1 to show her off and turn in my maternity leave papers. I didn’t learn about this until discharge! My very good friend was declared dead, but was very much alive and kicking! That was a mess for him to straighten out! The service is not particularly good at keeping, storing, and maintaining records at times. I’m not so quick to judge, but if found out that it was an intentional lie, then I agree, he needs to be prosecuted.
The ” Stolen Valor Act” applies to this person. He should be made an example of.
If your story was false, then shame on you!!! Give credit where credit is due!!!
Just wait and the truth will out. You don’t hang a guy until he is proven guilty without any doubt. I certainly concur that the Army isgreat for losing vital records. They did it to me and a lot of people that I know.
Medical records, service records, medals/awards records are not entirely accurate because humans get rushed, or side tracked, or have just forgotten to file paperwork. It happens. Not all injuries are reported. And not all injuries are taken seriously because there is not a visible wound. Internal and cranial injuries happen a LOT more than gets reported on paper. It has happened to my family. If it happens to one, it can happen to a lot of other people
Too much risk for the paperwork to just get lost. Think about it, before he left Afghanastan, they had to do paperwork, then on the way there, then in Landstuhl, Germany, then on the way to the states, then back home. All medical is digital now. They may start on paper, but it goes right into the system pretty much immediately. Trust me, the records would be there.
Many men came back from Vietnam and there was no hero welcome. If it is found Poe has lied, he should be kicked off the show. Don’t care if he can sing or not. comments on let him sing and go on. If your a combat vet and disabled like many of us, it was a slap in the face. I have to many friends on the Wall in DC who never misrepresented their country but died for it. The show is for talent not lies. If he was as good as I saw he didn’t need to lie but did it to gain votes bottom line. And for some ones info most of us who did fight, don’t talk about it
It is soooo popular today to say you were in the Military, especially if you say you were hurt or injured during combat. Just another way for those that were not injured to try and impress the ladies…What he did was wrong. Remove him and let the chips fall where they may!
After reading thru all of the comments I noticed no one wrote about his first interview with a local Texas tv news crew at a Golf Tourney for Vets a week before the AGT show that he aired on. In this interview Poe stated he ALSO had been in Iraq prior to Afghanistan and he had been shot in the leg during close combat. I said, watch how he will change his story soon – saying that due to his brain injury he doesn’t know what’s real and what’s not real; which he’s been saying now lol His own fiance, who claims she believes him now, admitted in one radio interview that she too had doubts about his story in the beginning. She’s in love with him so of course she “wants” to believe him. She had doubts at first, so I imagine she’ll have doubts about his story again eventually.
Myself, I’m not even sure I’d be considered a “vet” as I was injured during boot camp because I joined too soon after a severe car accident and hadn’t healed properly. But I love all of you who have served and sacrificed so much… You have my respect!
After reading this article and quite a few of the comments here, I have to agree that we should not vote this man guilty without proof that his story is a lie. My husband, now deceased, served in the Marine Corp and was stationed in Vietnam from 67-69. He had PTSD, cancer from Agent Orange and back injuries from being shot, thankfully a can of peanut butter, in his back pack, stopped the bullet from killing him. In 1989 his PTSD became so severe that he was hospitalized and received treatment for it and could not hold a job. We applied for his disability. He received SS benefits immediately but it took us 7 years and 2 trips to Washington DC to get the VA to step up and approve him. I know very well how the VA can lose, deny, alter and destroy records! However, when the soldiers from his unit felt the need to step up and speak out against his story, I, for one, will not listen to or buy any of his music!!!!! I lived 27 years with a war Veteran and know first hand what these guys went thru to serve and protect us, not only while there but upon their return home and any soldier that would lie in order to profit from his military experience should be tared and feathered!!!! It’s hard enough on our soldiers to come home disabled and fight for the benefits they deserve and they don’t need liars making it harder!!!!! I would like to issue a big WELCOME HOME and THANK YOU to those that served and are serving to ALL our soldiers!!!
This makes me want to SCREAM!! My husband was a VIETNAM Vet and he DIED because of AGENT ORANGE..I would LOVE to speak with this “soldier”????? God Bless all of the soldiers and vets from all wars…Semper Fi
There are many “wannabes” out there. Having been in country from 68 -69, I’ve seen it & heard it many times. Let’s see what the investigation reveals. …BTW “wannabes” really p*** me off…
I had 8 brothers which all have served in some type of service in their live time. One will killed in WW II in Germany. the rest cme back home safe. But when I saw this on TV I had my questions about this man from the beging. I don’t belive any one person would do this and think they could get by with it. They do a back-ground check before you can win all the way on this show.
I’m like others on here DON”T CALL A BROTHER OF THE SERVICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks to all who have servied their time……….In West Virginia
Nam vet here…………Levenworth
stupid is as stupid does, not even a good con man…………..disgracefull!
My Dad served 22 years in the Air Force and although he never saw combat he served his country well. My step father served for 20 years in the Air Force and did see comabt, he was in VietNam. While there he was sprayed with AGENT ORANGE, and that caused his failing health and his eventual death in 2009.
It took the government years to admit that his failing health was the result of agent orange, they said he
wasn’t disabled. Three years after this death my mother receives a letter from them stating yes agent orange was a major factor in the death of her husband. I love my country, I love the freedoms that I have because of all the service men and women that do what they do. GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU. We must do whatever we have to do to help our armed forces, they deserve the best you can give them, If Poe is gulity of misleading the people then he needs to be punished, but lets get all the facts first.
SHAME ON YOU!!!!!!!!
i believe him.He didn’t need to have sympathy form anyone.That vet can sing!
As a veteran of OIF, I don’t even like it when people have sympathy towards me, because it make me look weak and in need of help. I even hate it even more when some people claim they’re veteran when begging in the street. lol
My husband is a OIF vet and currently serving OEF
( miss him tons!!! Thanks for your service Rasulbek Kilichev!!!
He can sing, but no need to lie and get sympathy. I cant stand the fact that he would do it to Draw in ppl, bc people are very sensitive to the subject, im not gonna lie, if it was true, i was gonna vote all the way true. i dont care if he can sing or not… i know plenty of ppl that can sing. But to lie, like that, and post pics of people without the permission – NO GO!- of course hes gonna say it was an accident after he “got caught lying”… He never once stopped and said OH WAIT THATS WRONG PIC!!! Lmao
Your medical files are in your hands during the check out process, make copys!
Wow I just can’t beleive that people would go so far as to try and stop this man from winning, what does it matter to anyone if he was hurt in war or maybe something happened and this is what he remembers in his head, he can sing and did sing very well. I really don’t believe in my heart this man wanted to just have people feel sorry for him so he could sing on the show. People Get a LIFE < he did SERVE FOR ALL OF US , so that alone makes him a hero in my eyes . If he wins is because he can sing , so stop messing in others lifes and get a life of your own , maybe some Jesus too! God Bless you Tim and Thank you for your service
Dang, anyone who wonders, check out this interview with him and keep this in mind. There is no DMZ in Afghanastan. It is no longer called a TMC. They are called med stations, BMS. Bamc is not a TBI area, nor do they have a TBI clinic. They are a burn center. What a faker. Out of the blue he starts to stutter in order to try to keep his lie up. You bring shame to all of us vets and especially to those who are truly combat injured vets, like my husband. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLq7GbGNiwU
Sorry, want to correct my statement about BAMC not having a TBI clinic, they do, last I knew, they were a burn center.
If there’s one thing that pisses me off more than anything, it’s when someone lies about military service. I’m a 10-year Army veteran…I served from 1989 to 1999, and was in the 82nd Airborne Division during Operations Desert Shield & Storm. I want to make it clear that I DID NOT go to the Middle East, so I don’t want credit for stuff I didn’t do. But if there’s one thing I DID do, it’s serve my country,and not make up a bunch of “feel sorry for me” BS to get acceptance.
I saw Tim Poe’s audition and subsequent story. I, like a lot of other people, felt for this guy who claimed to be injured in combat, and was told to “sing in the shower” to help alleviate his stuttering. Look…we’re all for a great “comeback” story…especially when it involves a military veteran. But…when you lie about this in order to get attention…that just rubs me the wrong way.
To all who did serve…whether in peacetime or war…thank you. Whatever you did…wear it with a badge of honor. Don’t make up crap just to get more “brownie” points with folks because you’ll eventually be found out. Someone’s head at NBC should roll for this, because evidently…no one did any legitimate background check on Poe at the network, and it played the story we’re now all upset about. Someone also ought to just get rid of Poe so this story won’t drag on throughout the duration of his time on the show. Until there is 100% concrete evidence he’s telling the truth…we may live in a society where legally you’re innocent until proven guilty, but in the court of “public opinion”…it’s just the opposite. You can’t send in pictures of other soldiers and not be able to supply proof of military service/injury to a TV talent show, and expect people to feel sorry for you.
I don’t know the whole story he sang pretty good but I did receive an injury and I cant imagine a soldier wishing an injury on himself
I bet he’s a neocon.
I don’t even like public sympathy on me for being a veteran, because it makes me feel weak. We as veteran should lead by example. What we uphold is, selfless service, integrity, honor, duty, respect. Which this guy don’t seem to have, but I still respect him purely because he is a veteran but that should not by any chance have him claim public sympathy and respect.
I’m wondering if there could be a mental factor here…maybe he truly believes this happened…not like a “habitual lier” but something similar….And like the
y said…records can be lost…Good luck to the boy cause whatever happened he had to have known with the world watching he would be caught!
He dishonors every vet that was ever hurt in service to his country. I myself am a musician and a vet. I could never stoop so low.
He needs to step down from the show or be removed and spend some time at Walter Reed with our wounded warriors. As a Vietnam combat wounded Veteran he is a disgrace and would never be a brother ro me.
People disgust me!! So what! He WAS a Soldier & ALL soldiers are wounded someway or another whether physically or mentally!! Truth is, he is a Soldier, was in Afghanistan & that in itself is enough injury. What happened to his comrades, degrading themselves also with coming out & pointing the finger at him…The Military is Proud…real Soldiers don’t rat out nor display jealousy as those who have come forward disputing his alleged story….if his story is untrue then HE has to live with his dishonesty & guilt. For whatever his reasons don’t judge him too quickly, for all we know just the trauma of that place can make anyone make mistakes.
OH WELL, LET HIM SING.
Most exaggerate anyway..for attention and to get more VA benefits. Not surpising. All veterans who serve honestly and with honor are used to those who fake injuries and awards.
He’s a phony and should be punished !!
really in this day and age a solider is supposed to be honorable in all he does ,he gave his all ,more than any of us that are sitting on our asses at home and judging him .Maybe he got his facts wrong ,but I will say this he really had my heart aching for him and the pride I felt was real now it is confusion ?how can he do this to all of AMERICA ? SHAME ON HIM!!!!
i for one think he should get charged. i got back from afghanistan last september and i dont go telling war stories to get pity from people back home or for people to like me. screw this guy he should get what he deserves.
LCPL U.S.M.C. 2007-present Semper Fi
You , know there is a silent code, to anyone whom has served in the Military… Honor.. do not claim anything you did not do or take part in. There is a trust that you aquire while in service. There is plenty of glory to go around..You know he can sing , he did not need the Military card here. To bad he has wrecked that code of Honor he had while serving. Mo telling why he did it. Let’s hope he has learned from this.. And will think before using his military service as a step to get something ..
Roger , Nam 68/69
Just lost my son 16 days ago. Although he gave over 28 years to the service, he was fortunate to not do combat. However, there other ways a vet can be harmed. I will always be proud of the work my son did for the Navy, Army and Air Force, and his loss will always be deep within me. We should be very proud of the men and women that give their work and often their lives for us to be free and be able to enjoy the wonders of this life because of their dedication to this wonderful country. Love to all Vets. I’m very proud of all of you. If you want to complain, complain about the Hanoi Janes that still walk among us and say because they were young we should forgive their atrocities. BS to that. You’re all in my prayers.
Geeez people!!! Anyone ever think that he may rely believe this happened to him??!!! I’ve seen the affects afghanistan and Iraq has had on soldiers…… And for some, the can not distinguish what reality is at times. And for some, they came home with rage issues. And for some that were outgoing before deployment, have come home introverted.
So please, before you all pass judgement that this guy is an out and out liar, how about thar maybe that this is his reality. Maybe his mind created the illusion to make up for his inability to keep his brain and emotions in check.
FYI….I am a proud mother of a marine, who came back with rage issues…. So I know first hand that people changed because of their tours of duty, without cause or justification. Just the pressure xan create mental disturbances.
So please, whether or not you may agree or disagree with the accounts of this soldier, remember, this may be “his” reality.
As a past Viet Nam era veteran, I have been ashamed of the AMERICAN people since the 60′s. I really do not see where any American has a right to judge anyone, whether a service member or a civilian. We back in the 60′s had what was called the draft. for the most part we were unable o get away with not serving our country, unless one had been fed with a SILVER SPOON, and had the money to DODGE the DRAFT like Clinton and a few others as well. It is this swine that has been elected to the P.O.T.U.S. on several occasions, The SHEOPLE ooops people of this country are most definitely IGNORANT and STUPID. The people have NO RIGHT to be judging anyone at all.
58,000 gave their lives for this country, their wasn’t even a welcome parade for them once they had served their time in hell…
We now have an all volunteer armed forces. If they didn’t think everything through, that is their problem. Here is where my honoring of the veterans ly, the fact they honored their death of contract that they freely entered into. These men and women were promised and had placed before them all sorts of carrots to entice them to go and kill innocent people. Due to our immature IGNORANCE back in the 60′s, the difference in the FOOLS; those of today have had a total free choice of joining a killing club, where we didn’t. Every where one turns into today’s society, it is a lie. We live in a world of LIARS that practice lies every moment of their lives…. I even wrote a poem directed at those very facts. Maybe some of you have read it called; ” Flim Flam Scam ” . George Carlin was and still is my HERO. Direct and as CANDID as one could be. Some people would call it down right RUDE, no just EXTREMELY CANDID. in my view. If one has a hard time stomaching George Carlin, you’ll have an even harder time to stomach me. An ex-veteran not about to let the SHEOPLE ooops people off FREE.
My sincere thanks to all veterans. I served a total of 31 years in the military and retired as First Sergeant of an Army ambulance company. One thing I am always very careful about is to make sure and tell people that only two years were spent on active duty. The other 29 were in the Army Reserve. No combat even though I served during Viet Nam and the first Gulf war, retiring just prior to our invasion of Iraq. I would never consider embellishing my record and am truly disappointed that Tim Poe appears to have done so. The really sad part is that he did a fantastic job of singing, only to shoot himself in the foot with the story.
lying about combat related injuries should be a major crime! We all have friends and family we have lost or got the PURPle Heart! I am an Enduring Freedom Vet.
I find this very offensive, I have friends that are vets, that have been injured, and my husband is currently in Afghanistan (Grunt) all these guys have true stories, and its not something to go and lie about to get attention. One of my friends lost her husband in Feb, in Kabul, its pretty eff’ed up he would even claim these, better yet AIR THEM! I do not agree with this at all, I DO however want to thank him for his service, but he should back down before hes even more humiliated by the press, and people.
I feel so sorry for him, he was obviously mentally injured through Deployment. The VA is one of the most abusive pieces of Sh*t on the planet, first hand knowledge here.
as a female veteran I can honestly say you are responsible for making copies of your records prior to retiring or being discharged (if you can). I have only been retired for 4yrs now. I knew people in the medical field and they made copies for me. I made copies for myself and hell they gave me my dental record.
I come from a family of men that served. My grandfathers served (1 Army, 1 Navy), my father served (Airforce), my uncle served (Army), my cousin served (Airforce). I found out that my fahter’s father served but that was at his funeral. He never talked to me about his time in the Navy but he did follow my career up until the day he passed way. To this day I don’t know of any of my family members that had a hard time with documentation. I myself have unergone some re-evauluations since I’ve retired. I was offered the opportunity to receive my paternal grandfathers service records prior to them being destroyed. Either way all records are archived (it varies for each branch).
To all that served before me I thank you for your service. It was definatley because of you all that I was able to serve.
I am not a veteran but my husband is. I don’t know if this guy is lying or not but first let me say that it all seems to be talk at this point and second my husband, who by the way, is a retired captain after 23 years service to this country has told about several incidents where the men couldn’t stand someone and either lied to get them into trouble or beat the crap out of them. And shouldn’t everyone be considered innocent until proven guilty? At this point I don’t see any solid proof either way and until I do he gets the benefit of the doubt.
If they really know what getting injured/wounded or hurt feels like and what its affects are in our entire lives; one should never wish it or lie about it. Think about those whom were left at combat zone, those who didn’t a chance chance to come to their loving families, it is selfish, dishonest and a total stupidity to claim what you are not! The Iraq war was scaring the hell out of every single one of us, nobody really wanted to die, everybody I knew wanted to come back to their familes, today we are living history of that war but not missing one second of it. Nothing is like home nothing is like being healthy and able to do everything, It makes me really sad to see people dreaming to get hurt, have you seen someone who have got hurt and left the service? Do you know what it feels like being hurt and leaving what you love to do?
Something doesn’t smell right in this article, this guy is not the only one presenting false claim to the public I have seen many others who make similar claims and got away with it. VA and all service branches need to take this case serious, this sounds trying to make a case on a dead body of your fallen comrades! You never been an NCO in my eyes and you will never be one!
Im a Vet! I think its bull S*** He is no Brother!!! Hell even his own unit said he WAS NOT injured, and some of yall still Believe his story. I do believe He does need to prosecuted under the Stolen Valor Act!!!! Yes, most Vets has problems and even i do. but i dont go around trying to make people feel sorry for me! Thats shit we DO NOT talk about!!!!!
Six Six & A Kick. USMC DA NAM. Shit Bird If True.
Been told time and time again, the more they talk about it, often it means the less they actually did. Not sure if this will come out or not in this case. I say do not over react and let time and a serious investigation take place. The truth is always the best policy.
He needs to be disqualified from participating on the show until he can prove his claims.
Drop your drawers boy, lets see what you got! If nothing there, we can ship you back so you can get some! God have mercy on you boy for desecrating those that were wounded and even killed for our great Country!
he should be punished to the fullest that he can be for lying he broke the cardinal rule and should get the full rath of punishment for it
I am retired from the us army and did 4 tours in iraq. I was lucky because the only time that i was in any kind of danger was during the initial push from mortars and stray bulletts but other than that I was a lucky guy compared to those that gave the ultimate sacrifice. I understand that the military can lose records but come on, all the records dont come up missing, there is always a paper traile maybe not 100 % accurate but there would be records of his injuries especially if he was medically retired due to the fact that it requires his records to go in front of a nedical board to approve the medical retirement discharge that he is claiming and then like others that have said soldiers in his own unit is telling a different story and then there is the fact that he claimed his company didnt know he was evacuated due to he had volunteered, that is total bs becasue as a retired NCO I know for a fact that the company would have been told because they have to account for each and every soldier no matter what, and then the photo, i have been in a hurray many times but i know when i am looking at a photo that is not of me. there is just to many red flags flying with this guys story and even his own ex wife busted him out. In order for them all to be lieing this would be a record. he needs to come clean.
The shame of it is, he “could have” been truthful and just came on stage saying he stutters when he’s extremely nervous. His story was just proof that some will try anything to get their few minutes of fame. I hope he enjoyed it if it’s all false. God(s) bless our Military and for those injured or war survivor vets, THANK YOU for your selfless service so we, the Nation, can be free! (Deployed civilian to Iraq)
OK, let me start out by saying ” Thank you to each and every VET for your service to this country”. My father was a WWII SSGT of the Army Air Force. He was the Bombardier in a B-17 Bomber. In no way do I mean any disrespect to the Veterans of every War and every Branch of Service.
With the researching I have done regarding the “Stolen Valor Act of 2005″, no where have I found it to state that lying about what happened to you while in war was illegal. Though I do not condon lying, it is not against the law. Unless you commit purgury. This act is about the “unauthorized wear, manufacture, or sale of any military decorations and medals.” Mr. Poe has never once, that I heard,claimed to have been awarded any “Medals or Decorations” during his tour. Yes fellow service men have said that none of what Mr. Poe “went through” happened. All that says is that Mr. Poe “might” not be telling the truth about his expirences in Afganistan. Like someone else has stated here, “Americas Got Talent” is about people with “Talent”. Mr. Poe does have talent.
Here is a couple of the sites and their Definitions of “The Stolen Valor Act of 2005:
The Stolen Valor Act of 2005, signed into law by President George W. Bush on December 20, 2006, is a U.S. law that broadens the provisions of previous U.S. law addressing the unauthorized wear, manufacture, or sale of any military decorations and medals. It makes it a federal misdemeanor to falsely represent oneself as having received any U.S. military decoration or medal. If convicted, defendants may be imprisoned for up to six months, unless the decoration lied about is the Medal of Honor, in which case imprisonment could be up to one year.
Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stolen_Valor_Act
OFFICIAL SUMMARY
The following summary was written by the Congressional Research Service, a nonpartisan arm of the Library of Congress, which serves Congress. GovTrack did not write and has no control over these summaries.
12/20/2006–Public Law. (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)
Stolen Valor Act of 2005 – Amends the federal criminal code to expand the prohibition against wearing, manufacturing, or selling military decorations or medals without legal authorization to prohibit purchasing, soliciting, mailing, shipping, importing, exporting, producing blank certificates of receipt for, advertising, trading, bartering, or exchanging such decorations or medals without authorization.
Prohibits falsely representing oneself as having been awarded any decoration or medal authorized by Congress for the Armed Forces or any of the service medals or badges.
Increases penalties for violations if the offense involves a distinguished service cross, an Air Force Cross, a Navy Cross, a silver star, or a Purple Heart.
Source:
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/109/s1998
I am a veteren but got out before Iraq so I can’t even imagine what it was and is like there. They’re going thru alot and I know records are lost and God forgive him if this was made up but there is only a few people who really know-that is God and himself and the few that may have been there.Maybe it is not true but maybe his problem is not physical from what he went thru but mental???We do not know. For me just being over there must have been a nightmare and vietnam and all the other “non-wars” we have had that thousands were killed and the others were left behind to just deal with it. I pray for all of you vets that went thru those times and pray you get thru the rest of your lives without to much damage. If he consciensly made this up then that is a huge dishonor to our true vets that were hurt or killed. But remember there is a slim chance it may be true. God bless all of our vets and the men that are still serving now. Let me shake your hand and hug you for all you’ve done.God be with you and your families!!!
Thanks to all the men and women who have ever served . I will be the first to admit I was blessed to serve during peace time and had no combat experience. I will always hold all combat vets high in my heart and do anything I can to help you all on a daily basis. I try to visit the V.A. and the men and woman there on a weekly basis. I find it tragic that there are folks there who never have a visit. I love talking with them and hearing their stories. God Bless all of you.
I have served for 22yrs and have several wounds that have caused me to have to be medically retired, I am proud to have served with my fallen and wounded brother”s/sister’s but, I have seen to much of this go on in the military it has to stop! If you have served be PROUD of what you did do to help protect this country, and mostly have some RESPECT for all of US VETS who have done our job and STOP LYING!!!!!!
I do think that this man is not tellin the truth, if so many are coming forward saying that is not what happened to include his squad leader. I was in the U.S. Army and yes teh military does loose records, but not records of acts this bad. I was injured in Iraq and my records as with many other came back just fine. As for the wrong picture, he said in an interview before that yes that was him. His own ex-wife said these things never happened and she was married to him at the time of this so called accident. It is people like this that cuase so many problems for the ones who really do get hurt while serving our great country. I think that this man in some way should be charge with a crime and kicked off this show and if the woman he is suppose to marry is sticking up for him and still believes him when so many are proving his sory wrong then she is no better thatn this man for lying on nationial televion to get ahead of everyone else.
if this man serve his country
and can sing shame on these shows
that made him feel he had to lie to get on
there to preform i saw that show i loved his
singing.
This man is clearly operating without morals. He has insulted all that have been in either front. My son was injured in his first tour in Iraq, and he returned for other tours there and in Afghanistan…hell he volunteered for the last one. Then we have this person claiming he was injured there. His unit has no proff of him being there or even being in the unit. What does that tell you ?
Yes I know well the military can lose records. but this is not the case here.All he wanted was his “15 minutes of fame” He needs to be tried under The Stolen Valor Act. I am not only a veteran, my sons both serve. One was recently retired due to legitimate injuries. His brother is still active duty.
I’m a bit confused, how can you lie straight towards the social media and then tell us that you were “confused”?
This guy is a complete ASS.. He is a discrace to all VETS and should be held accountable for his lies & misrepresentations. Every VET EARNED their right through blood, sweat and real tears. This guy made his story out to be a vote getter for the show….
Never saw combat???? I’m a “nam vet myself . . . . stupid things people do wanting to be a wannabe. Ain’t no honest vet if any . . . .
will this law also cover the clowns who claim to be Vietnam vets but only saw it on TV.. you know the ones who were in black ops and can’t talk about it. Then the ones who don”t know any of the slang. Hell just hang them all, a bullets to good for them
The more I read about Poe (here and other sites), the more I’m convinced he is lying about his service and how he sustained what kind of injuries. Poe declined to answer questions by AP reporters last summer, claiming he was not free to discuss anything since he was still on active duty, despite the fact that Poe was honorably discharged from the US Army in 2011.
Poe also claims he sustained injuries in a grenade attack in Iraq in 2005, despite not having been deployed to Iraq, according to WFAA-TV (Dallas).
It also turns out that, in 2009, Poe was injured during training while at Camp Atterbury in Indiana in July 2009, before he deployed to Afghanistan. That injury resulted in Poe being returned stateside after just a month in Afghanistan, and was subsequently medically retired from the US Army in 2011.
I’m not sure what today’s “Army of One” does, but back when I served (79-88), it was highly unlikely that a supply specialist (Poe’s job in the US Army from 2002 to 2011) would be part of a team that cleared buildings and rescued wounded soldiers, as he has claimed. His claim that he jumped on top of other soldiers and yelled “grenade” upon seeing an inbound RPG doesn’t wash, either.
The only thing likely to keep Poe out of a criminal court room is the fact that he isn’t claiming to have won any medals or awards for his service. Had he made false claims about that, he would definitely be subject to the Stolen Valor Act. He could possibly face civil fraud liability for lying to get on the TV show, but that’s it.
Every job in the United States Armed Forces is important. It’s a crying shame that someone who served his country honorably providing for the logistical needs of those in combat felt his job was so unimportant that he had to outright lie about what he did. I never saw combat, never fired a shot in anger, and never served during time of war, and yet I’m still proud of my service, even if my nation is not.
Too bad Poe is so screwed up he can’t be proud of what he did for his country, and felt the need to dishonor himself and his service to his country with lies.
I was injured on deployment with the Air Force, I tore the tendons in my hand/wrist moving a generator and they refused to even evaluate that when I got out even thought I have pictures of me coming home from the desert with my hand in a cast. I feel for this guy and I think he needs help but the kind of help he needs is the kind they do on locked wards at the VA and there is no shame in that. I hope is gets the help he needs so that he can live the rest of his life to the fullest. He looks like a really young guy who’s wife is obviously standing by him.