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Texas congressman won’t stop wearing combat Infantryman Badge that was revoked (www.military.com)

submitted 10 months ago by MicroWave@lemmy.world to c/politics@lemmy.world

43 comments fedilink hide all child comments

More than a month after a news report revealed that the Combat Infantryman Badge Rep. Troy Nehls, R-Texas, wears on his lapel was revoked since he was never eligible for the award to begin with, the congressman refuses to take the pin off.

Nehls' stubbornness has garnered growing criticism from veterans and others in the community of stolen valor researchers, who say the issue is simple: The rules for the CIB are clear, and Nehls did not qualify.

"The veteran community is starting to get to the point now where there's no room for forgiveness at this point because now they see, ‘Hey, this wasn't an error. He's doubling down now,’" said Anthony Anderson, an Army veteran who runs Guardian of Valor and was instrumental in uncovering Nehls' revoked award. "He knows he didn't earn this award."

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[-] halcyoncmdr@lemmy.world 182 points 10 months ago

Prosecute him under 18 U.S.C. § 704

The Stolen Valor Act of 2013 amends the federal criminal code to rewrite provisions relating to fraudulent claims about military service to subject to a fine, imprisonment for not more than one year, or both for an individual who, with intent to obtain money, property, or other tangible benefit, fraudulently holds himself or herself out to be a recipient of:

Medal of Honor
Distinguished Service Cross
Navy Cross
Air Force Cross
Silver Star
Bronze Star
Purple Heart
Combat Action Ribbon
Combat Infantryman's Badge
Combat Action Badge
Combat Medical Badge
Combat Action Medal
Or any replacement or duplicate medal for such medal as authorized by law.

[-] Treczoks@lemmy.world 89 points 10 months ago

Good. So there is a law for that. Now someone has to apply this to him.

[-] magnetosphere@fedia.io 63 points 10 months ago

In Texas? I’ll hope for it, but I won’t hold my breath.

[-] Iheartcheese@lemmy.world 23 points 10 months ago

Best they can do is shooting a black kid in his honor.

[-] SaltySalamander@fedia.io 8 points 10 months ago

Considering this is a federal crime, Texas has to have very little to do with it.

[-] magnetosphere@fedia.io 7 points 10 months ago

Good point! Of course, some will still call it “weaponizing the justice system” and/or “lawfare”.

This would be a relatively harmless and clear-cut opportunity for another Republican to step up and show they have some standards. Ahem.

[-] the_crotch@sh.itjust.works 4 points 10 months ago

Good? I don't think it's good that you can go to jail for a year for wearing a colorful ribbon

[-] skulblaka@startrek.website 26 points 10 months ago

You can also go to jail for wearing a shiny policeman's badge when you aren't one. This is no different.

[-] the_crotch@sh.itjust.works 8 points 10 months ago

Only if you claim to be a cop. Per federal law, you can wear one for fun if you want

It is a defense to the prosecution under this section if the badge is used or intended to be used for exclusively--- (1) as a memento, or in a collection or exhibit; (2) for decorative purposes; (3) for a dramatic presentation, such as a theater, film, or television production; or (4) **for any other recreational purpose. **

[-] skulblaka@startrek.website 5 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

Huh. I didn't actually know that. Interesting.

Even if you are just doing it for fun though 99% of cops will bag you for impersonating an officer of the law. You might go free later but that isn't likely to stop the arrest.

[-] SkybreakerEngineer@lemmy.world 12 points 10 months ago

Claiming to be a war hero when you're not is fraud

[-] the_crotch@sh.itjust.works 3 points 10 months ago

Is it though? I can claim to be Jesus Christ or sporty spice or Jonathan Taylor Thomas. I can even dress like them. That by itself doesn't get me thrown in jail.

[-] Krzd@lemmy.world 5 points 9 months ago

In this case it also wouldn't, stolen valor only applies of you do it to "obtain a tangible benefit" IE discounts, or deceiving voters.

[-] RainfallSonata@lemmy.world 6 points 10 months ago

Not that I want to defend the guy, but what's the tangible benefit? The law doesn't apply to just being an asshole.

[-] halcyoncmdr@lemmy.world 79 points 10 months ago

He's been using it to further his political career and court donations.

[-] AllNewTypeFace@leminal.space 98 points 10 months ago

The immovable object of Stolen Valor meets the irresistible force of It’s OK If You’re A Conservative

[-] mp3@lemmy.ca 48 points 10 months ago

Isn't that considered Stolen Valor?

[-] OpenStars@discuss.online 14 points 10 months ago

Rules should only be followed by the other side.(TM) - conservatives

[-] Halosheep@lemm.ee 2 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

Here, I got you a real ™ since you had a knockoff one.

[-] OpenStars@discuss.online 1 points 9 months ago

Is a real™ one better than a Lemmy-computed(TM) one? Either way, it's good to have choices you know!? 😃

[-] Halosheep@lemm.ee 1 points 9 months ago

I didn't realize that it was supposed to show that way! Boost for lemmy is missing a lot of markup I think.

[-] OpenStars@discuss.online 1 points 9 months ago

Oh really?

Well, now I just appreciate all the more your sending me that one, kind person:-).

[-] mozz@mbin.grits.dev 41 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

Try that in a small town

Oh wait hang on, I'm confused now

[-] Snapz@lemmy.world 39 points 10 months ago

Texas: "I'm a big, strong Texas army man!!!!!"

[Uvalde children trapped by an active shooter being murdered and psychologically tortured]

Texas: ".... .... ...."

[-] Letstakealook@lemm.ee 38 points 10 months ago

The larger issue here is that our society idolizes the military in the first place. I find that much more concerning than "stolen valor."

[-] Branch_Ranch@lemmy.world 31 points 10 months ago

https://mynorthwest.com/3960064/rantz-exclusive-semi-bird-reprimanded-stolen-valor-defrauding-army/

Seems like republicans stealing valor is fairly common.

[-] Delonix@lemmy.world 12 points 10 months ago

They're generally whiney cowards who have neither valor or shame 🤷‍♂️

[-] JimSamtanko@lemm.ee 30 points 10 months ago

Soooo…. He’s going to resign in disgrace, right?

[-] ShittyBeatlesFCPres@lemmy.world 26 points 10 months ago

I wear a Texas Congressman pin even though they begged me not to so I can’t get too mad.

[-] Lasherz12@lemmy.world 15 points 9 months ago

Fascism always manifests through surface level aesthetics. This will become more and more common and you'll find shamelessness and stolen valor are traits they'll all share uniformly eventually.

[-] vxx@lemmy.world 7 points 9 months ago

[-] BigMacHole@lemm.ee 14 points 10 months ago

I'm a Republican who LOVES this Country and I don't see what the Problem is!

[-] the_tab_key@lemmy.world 15 points 10 months ago

\s?

[-] Delonix@lemmy.world 2 points 10 months ago

Classic republican dissonance, I don't see what the problem is!

[-] just_another_person@lemmy.world 13 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

Very clear facts asserting why he should take it off and doesn't deserve it, backed up by military records over a decade ago, but y'know..."DEEP STATE".

[-] modifier@lemmy.ca 13 points 10 months ago

I never like to curse anyone or wish them ill, but it would be dope if I could somehow sign up to get text alerts anytime something bad happens to this guy. Even small things, would put a smile on my face.

[-] GiddyGap@lemm.ee 9 points 10 months ago

Just another Tuesday in Republican world.

[-] CavalierBob@lemmy.world 7 points 10 months ago

My first reaction seeing this post is I just want to slap him. And that was before I read the article.

[-] thegr8goldfish@startrek.website 5 points 9 months ago

Have the Army recall him to active duty and try him under the UCMJ.

[-] Delusional@lemmy.world 3 points 9 months ago

Republican from Texas is a piece of shit human. Shocker.

this post was submitted on 22 Jun 2024

456 points (100.0% liked)

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