'Really shameful': Multiple GOP reps slam fellow Republican over 'stolen valor'
U.S. Troops in Afghanistan
Afghan War image via Wikipedia.
On the 80th anniversary of D-Day — when U.S. troops stormed the beaches of Normandy during World War II — several Republican members of Congress are highlighting one of their colleagues' wearing of military honors he didn't earn.
Troy Nehls
According to NOTUS' Matt Fuller, Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Texas) is drawing criticism from his fellow House Republicans over his decision to wear a Combat Infantryman medal from his time in Afghanistan.
Combat Infantryman Badge
Combat Infantryman Badge
Combat Infantryman Badge (Image via Wikipedia)
While Nehls did go to Afghanistan during his military career, he was a civil affairs officer and never saw combat. The medal, which is only for those who served in infantry and special forces units, was revoked in 2023. However, Nehls still wears the medal on his lapel underneath his Congressional pin.
Ryan Zinke
Ryan Zinke
Ryan Zinke speaking at the 2016 Conservative Political Action Conference in National Harbor, Maryland (Photo by Gage Skidmore)
"It matters. As a former commander, it matters what you wear on your uniform," Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-Montana) told NOTUS. "And if you didn’t earn it, you shouldn’t wear it."
U.S. Troops in Afghanistan
U.S. Troops in Afghanistan
U.S. Troops in Afghanistan ( Image via Wikipedia)
A service member wearing honors he or she didn't properly earn is considered deeply offensive to the military community. One unnamed Republican lawmaker told the publication “If you’re wearing something that Nehls wearing the infantry medal amounted to "stolen valor."
Boeing AH-64 Apache
Black helicopter flying over brown field during daytime
Photo by Andre Klimke on Unsplash“It’s specifically addressed in U.S. Code, that particular badge,” the lawmaker said. They added that someone not in an infantry division wearing an infantry badge makes it “illegal and stolen.”
Jack Bergman
Jack Bergman in uniform
Jack Bergman in uniform (United States Marine Corps photo via Wikipedia)
Rep. Jack Bergman (R-Michigan), who is a retired major general (denoted with two stars), said he was using "back channels" to confirm whether Nehls' Combat Infantryman badge had been officially revoked by the Department of Defense. He added that he planned to "trust but verify" prior reports about the honor's revocation before taking further action.
Bronze Star Medal
Bronze Star Medal
Bronze Star Medal (via Wikipedia)
Last month, CBS News investigated Nehls' military service and dug into Pentagon records to confirm the Texas Republican's Army career. The outlet found that not only was Nehls' combat infantryman medal revoked, but that he only earned one Bronze Star medal (awarded for meritorious service and outstanding achievement), despite him claiming two.
Troy Nehl's tweet
Troy Nehl's paperwork for two Bronze Star Medals
Troy Nehl's paperwork for two Bronze Star Medals (as posted on X)
A post to the congressman's X (formerly Twitter) account in May showed paperwork for two Bronze Star medals in 2004 and 2008. CBS maintained it could only confirm one.
John R. Batiste
John R. Batiste
U.S. Army Brig. Gen. John R. Batiste (U.S. Army photo by Mr. Scott Davis, Pubic Domain)
The 2004 Bronze Star CBS confirmed was awarded to Nehls was signed by Major Gen. John Batiste. The award proclaims: "Captain Nehls trained and mentored nine Iraqi staff members and four coalition soldiers assigned to the Kirkuk Business Center, which became known as the best business center in all of Iraq."
Troy Nehls
"Congressman Nehls doesn't wear medals he wasn't awarded," said Emily Matthews, who is Nehls' press secretary.
Combat Action Badge
Combat Action Badge
Combat Action Badge (image via Wikipedia)
While the Combat Infantryman badge was revoked, Nehls was awarded the Combat Action badge, which was created in 2005. Even though Nehls was never in the battlefield, that badge is given to servicemen who are "actively engaging or being engaged by the enemy."