Stolen Valor - Jack Stern Bought Himself A Medal of Honor

[@mattfulmer4243]

After I retired from the Army, I went to go work at my friends car dealership in Dallas. One of our Salesmen let it be known (especially to the female's that were employed there) that he was Special Forces with a Purple Heart and 2 Silver Stars. One day, he started telling his "Hero Stories" to a group of us Managers, not knowing that I was a 22-year combat Vet. Needless to say, it took less than a minute for me to realize he was totally full of bullshit. I called him on it and totally exposed him for his lies. He quit a couple of days later. He probably just went to another dealership and kept up with his bullshit.

[@War_And_Truth]

Well done for exposing him.

[@Bumper776]

There was a cook at a local restaurant located in a hotel where some of my friends and I would eat breakfast at when I was on the police department. This fellow would come out when the breakfast rush was over and tell us stories about how he had served with the Airborne Rangers in Vietnam and I must say, he had some really good stories. He took a job working on an offshore oil rig and a few months later we were told by his wife that he had died while offshore. One of the other officers, a Vietnam vet himself, took it upon himself to help her get whatever help he could from the VA in helping with burial expenses and a veteran marker for his grave. The only problem was that the VA had absolutely no record at all that the man had ever been in the military! They ran his complete name in every configuration and his SSAN but there was no record of him every serving. His wife checked with his sister, and she said that he had never been in the military at all. He sure had us convinced and we were all military veterans ourselves.

[@rogermartin404]

I'm shocked... you exposed a lieing car salesman. 😯

[@mattfulmer4243]

@@rogermartin404 Actually, it's not so much the salesmen/women, but much more so the Management.

[@lemmdus2119]

Every CMH recipient I met was extremely humble and I always got the feeling NOT to asked them about the action they did to receive it.

[@War_And_Truth]

Very true.

[@OlJarhead]

I enlisted in 1979 and as a boot at Parris Island I was immediately in the company of great men and met my first MOH recipient… my battalion commander was then LtCol Harvey Barnum. My boot camp album contains a photo of LtCol Barnum inspecting me during the “Commanders Inspection” prior to graduation. I don’t even remember what he looked like or what he said to me. All I remember is being transfixed by that little blue and white ribbon on top of his rack.

[@PaxAlotin]

*If France ever holds an inquiry into the number* -------- who actually fought for the 'Resistance' ------ *half the country would have to be arrested* 😑

[@steverizley2989]

Same story in Germany. I lived there in the 70s when many WWII participants were middle-aged. I met an incredible number of people who claimed to be in the “widerstand” during Naziism.

[@rodneypayne4827]

They could have been. In Germany it was more dangerous for resistance than any other country and had to be extremely careful in every aspect of their lives or be arrested. There are a number of stories of bomber crews that hid out in roofs and walls of houses in Berlin of resistance members. So they could be telling the truth. The Allies even had resistance members in mustash mans government sending intelligence out, the Allied intelligence network was extensive in Germany so therefore the resistance would have been extensive as well for it to be as effective as it was.​@@steverizley2989

[@bradbradshaw-i4n]

it's pretty easy to check if a person got the metal of honor.

[@War_And_Truth]

Few people check anything.

[@50buttfish]

All the free info on the internet, and people are still IDIOTS.

[@HotRodMolina]

MacArthur didn't have to buy his MoH, it was given to him because of his father

[@War_And_Truth]

I don't agree with MacArthur getting one.

[@mikegleason3754]

When the Army Chief of Staff wants to court martial you, you're getting a court martial. Except when the President decides " we need a hero right now, not a villain" I don't think Gen. Marshall had many of his decisions vetoed.

[@joeboy024]

You should do more Stolen Valor videos!

[@War_And_Truth]

If there is enough interest in this one I will.

[@Flergerberg]

​@@War_And_Truth do Tim Walz 😂

[@richardmardis2492]

Like they say- “If everyone that said that they were at Iwo Jima, was actually there, the damn island would have sunk!” Everyone wants some glory in their life- it’s a human weakness. I kinda pity these, poor people.

[@fatdaddy-viii-8672]

@@richardmardis2492 yup I was there in '44 to '46 b4 I ever left my father's loins. Won the MoH I did. Plus many Silver Stars, Bronze Stars, and many many other ribbons. I had at least as many as Chesty. 🤣🤣🤣

[@louiefrancuz3282]

In a former time he would be expected to take the dagger.

[@richardmardis2492]

I’ve met two MOH recipients. One while in the Army visiting Washington DC on the day they revealed the statues at the Vietnam Memorial. …and then the great Joe Foss, and was able to shake his hand. As an Air Force brat- these guys were the apex, they had a holy of holies feel about them. I don’t know if someone that didn’t grow up in the military could fully grasp.

[@War_And_Truth]

Joe Foss was certainly a legend.

[@richardmardis2492]

@ He gave a lecture to us docents at The Chaplin Fighter Aircraft Museum, here in Mesa, Arizona. Museum is gone, all the aircraft is gone- sold off.

[@War_And_Truth]

@@richardmardis2492 A sign of things to come no doubt.

[@larrydlam]

Only MOH I ever saw in person was at the PX at Cherry Point in 1980s. Never saw one worn other than on TV and movies. Saw many Silver and Bronze star recipients.

[@kevinbenedict1422]

These people do indeed stick together. The two largest groups of fake SEALs, for example, are martial arts instructors, and firearms instructors. I am sure it is no different with awards or other units. People want these credentials to help grow their businesses, and are more than willing to resort to fraud to present themselves as having those credentials.

[@StratBurst92]

Don Shipley exposes lots of fake Navy SEALs.

[@3-2bravo49]

The guy probably never even received an arcom, but he is rocking the moh. Walking around with it every time he left the house was a bit of a dead giveaway. Most of the guys who earned the medal wish to god every day that they hadn't and only wear them when they have to.

[@War_And_Truth]

Yeah John Basilone was a good example.

[@fatdaddy-viii-8672]

I met a CMoH holder when I was in Illinois ARNG in "81 to '82. He was the most humble man I had met. He told our class, he didnt win it, didnt earn it, but holding on to it because of all those who never came home.

[@War_And_Truth]

Thanks for sharing.

[@fatdaddy-viii-8672]

@@War_And_Truth Sure, no problem.

[@Bumper776]

I have met and shaken hands with three Medal of Honor recipients in my life. Clarence E. Sasser and Roy Benavidez that I met in Galveston Texas and Sammy L. Davis that I met in Illinois. Sasser and Benavidez have both passed away now. Shaking their hands made me weak in the knees.

[@War_And_Truth]

That would have been unreal.

[@Patriot46426]

Yeah that would have been intense 😮

[@natejones902]

Being a nobody vet, Im just gonna say that off the bat. Im in the USCG reserves, I mention that cause in my unit, we have a lot of prior servive and / or first responders (me being one). A few are combat vets that have come through, and they dont say much but when they do, you listen cause you know theyve seen alot. The more they saw the less they talk about it. Not for all, cause some guys who we know are legit are a bit more open about it, but not on this level, that guy had alot of red flags. On a small side note, being around alot of military and first responders, Ive noticed first responders have gone through alot more then some vets have. This last drill weekend I heard one of my coastie buddies say the following "you never know what you ll get on a call, my friend did a call and it was a 6 member family in a van, all but the mom were dead at the scene. The mom was also pregnant but lost that baby cause of the wreck." So next time you see a first responders remember theyve seen alot too.

[@War_And_Truth]

No such thing as a nobody vet. Thanks for your ongoing service.

[@jeffbosworth8116]

Weirdest Stolen Valor story ever: When I was a probation officer, I once did a report on a guy who claimed thet he had received a dishonorable discharge while serving in 'The Sand Box." He never could tell me what country he was in. Claimed he was a USMC sniper and missed his target killing a little girl. When an office ridiculed him, he punched the officer. All false. Never even served in the military. Never did figure out why someone would falsely claim a dishonerable discharge.

[@War_And_Truth]

There are all kinds out there.

[@robertcameron2808]

This guy. Is a real fraud.

[@arthurtripp6922]

By Law You can't Buy or Sell this Medal.

[@War_And_Truth]

I think the same goes for the Victoria Cross. I owned a Knights Cross once but sold it as I didn't feel as though I deserved to even own it.

[@1boortzfan]

​@@War_And_Truthby law you can't sell ANY military medal.

[@War_And_Truth]

@@1boortzfan That's probably how It should be. I don't see Allied medals for sale very often.

[@mattfulmer4243]

@@1boortzfan Nah. There's always a bunch of them for sale at Military Surplus stores.

[@colin9981]

@@War_And_Truth You can buy the Victoria Cross, if you have the money, and any other medal in the UK, Lord Ashcroft has the largest VC collection in the UK if not the world and it was recently on display at the Imperial War Museum. Being a "Walt" is not illegal in Britain, although it should be.

[@kornkraker]

I was under the impression that selling, or buying a MoH was also illegal.

[@apollo21lmp]

it is. that's one of the reasons he was arrested so quickly. and even possessing one is illegal, unless you're the recipient, descendant or legal inheritor of one. Even a MoH recipient cannot sell or trade his MoH.

[@vincentkudelycz258]

The irony is that this is something that can be verified. You can openly look it up in a database for every living MOH recipient. I know its fair to say they had no reason to check but eventually someone does.

[@War_And_Truth]

He wouldn't get away with it now.

[@StratBurst92]

The US Medal Of Honor can be sold and bought in other countries except the USA. Here you cannot own, purchase, or trade for a Medal Of Honor, even a replica. You can however write to an actual Medal Of Honor recipient and ask them for a signed photograph, you should be happy with that. The person that sold it to him whether knowingly or not has also committed a crime. For the sale of such. While other US military medals can be legally purchased such as silver stars, bronze stars, purple hearts, etc., the Medal Of Honor cannot and should not be possessed by anyone other than its recipient. As far as stolen valor, check out Don Shipleys post on how he has exposed lots of fake Navy SEALS.

[@War_And_Truth]

Thanks for the great follow up.

[@L_Train]

You should cover Hershel woody Williams. He was given the MoH, although new details have come to light that he lied about the actions for which the medal was awarded.

[@War_And_Truth]

I will take a look at it. There is an episode in season 1 of 'Combat' where a guy claims the actions of his friend who was killed and was going to take his Silver Star before he eventually fesses up.

[@L_Train]

@War_And_Truth there's a channel ww2tv where one of the guests discusses Williams. I couldn't find the episode but I think it might be one called something like medal of honor actions on two jima

[@L_Train]

@@War_And_Truth yes, its that episode towards the end where he talks about woody Williams and how he made most if not all of his stories up.

[@L_Train]

@@War_And_Truth Bryan Mark Rigg is the historian who dug into the claims. He was or is currently being sued by the Williams family and I think there's details about the case online

[@War_And_Truth]

@@L_Train It sounds interesting, I will take a look.

[@markunger1098]

I guess the old Chinese saying about being careful what you wish for; Stern wanted attention and now he’s got all he can handle!

[@phillutz3380]

Is Stern on the right or left in the photo

[@War_And_Truth]

On the left.

[@user-mc4sq3fk5d]

Please do a video on a less offensive but still not deserved MoH recipient-McCarthur.

[@War_And_Truth]

You are trying to get me into strife again lol

[@HandyMan657]

Because of course floriduh. That state never fails to fail.

[@War_And_Truth]

Being Australian, I'll have to take your word for that one.

[@kellyallisonkalus9526]

​@@War_And_Truth please don't. Yes, Florida Man is a thing, but so are the many crazies everywhere. We just get the notoriety.

[@kerickwalters2749]

From the highest decoration clear down to a veteran cap, IF YOU DIDN'T EARN IT AND I CATCH YOU WEARING IT YOU'RE GETTING A BOOT PARTY

[@dlxmarks]

Yes as long as it doesn't get out of control. There have been reports of self-appointed stolen valor monitors harassing actual vets including ones with PTSD and demanding proof of their service. One of the bad examples was in October 2015 when Afghan War Marine vet Michael Delfin was attacked by an active duty airman and his pal who decided Delfin's VA ID card didn't look legit. They blindsided him outside a bar and broke his leg. Frankly I don't think Delfin was obliged to even show them his ID unless he was claiming some type of privilege which he was not.

[@dlxmarks]

Yes as long as it doesn't get out of control. There have been reports of self-appointed stolen valor monitors harassing actual vets including ones with PTSD and demanding proof of their service. One of the bad examples was in October 2015 when Afghan War Marine vet Michael Delfin was attacked by an active duty airman and his pal who decided Delfin's VA ID card didn't look legit. They blindsided him outside a bar and broke his leg. Frankly I don't think Delfin was obliged to even show them his ID unless he was claiming some type of privilege which he was not.

[@bigbob7820]

I served 4 years active duty in the US Army and the rest in the Army National Guard for a little over 20 years of service and retired. Just a soldier that did my job. I never thought once about overstating my rank, awards or not being deployed to a combat zone. 2 of my brothers are veterans, my father served during the Korean War, I had 6 uncles that were WW2 veterans, 1 uncle who was a WW2, Korean War and a Vietnam veteran. 1 uncle who was a Korean War and Vietnam War veteran. The last two uncles mentioned both retired from active duty Army with about 20 plus years of service each. I really don’t think you need to be wasting your time or anybody’s time on these Stolen Valor pieces of shit. It’s so sad people need to do this to validate their own fantasies to so they can feel better about themselves. There are so many real veterans with real stories told are far more interesting. Just speaking my mind on the stolen valor stuff, don’t give these POS’s any kind of validation.

[@War_And_Truth]

Thanks for your service.

[@tomryan914]

That's 'POFS'

[@rogermartin404]

Congressional Medal of Honor unspoken facts: Since WWll, Democrat Congress members have held the majority 82% of time. The recipients (at the moment of recieving the award) have been registered Democrats 82% of the time. Nah!!!.... no political bias what so ever in the awarding of this honor. 🤨

[@War_And_Truth]

That's a shame. Our politicians in Australia couldn't care less about military awards.

[@MichaelLeBlanc-p4f]

If nothing else, Jack Stern showed 'real veterans' high respect by pretending he was one of them. Many folks show no respect at all.

[@Pokesalad222]

He is a pathetic liar

[@MichaelLeBlanc-p4f]

@Pokesalad222 "Let others lie, wantonly, gratuitously, if they will, but let you & me make it the rule of our life to lie for revenue only." 'Mark Twain'

[@War_And_Truth]

Not if it is for personal glory or gain. There is no respect in what he did.

[@TimothySielbeck]

The MoH IS NOT awarded by the military. It is awarded by the US Congress. Hence the correct name, The Congressional Medal of Honor.

[@War_And_Truth]

That is getting very technical. It is a military award recommended by the Military.

[@Scray-k4c]

You may want to do some more research. It is definitely not called the Congressional Medal of Honor, it is simply the Medal of Honor. I take it you never served in the military......

[@TimothySielbeck]

@@War_And_Truth But awarded by Congress

[@TimothySielbeck]

@@War_And_Truth The military recommends but does not award. Unlike others like GCM, ArCom, BS, and SS, Congress has to vote on this award. I'm pretty sure it's the only one that has that requirement.

[@War_And_Truth]

@@TimothySielbeck Yes that's correct.

[@CraigHorton-p3d]

A “Florida Man.”