Posted on May 17, 2016
Did CSM Basil Plumley steal valor by wearing unauthorized awards?
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"The U.S. Army is investigating allegations by a military researcher that the late Command Sgt. Major Basil Plumley -- a legend in the airborne and infantry communities -- wore unauthorized combat and valor awards that exaggerated the wartime achievements that made him famous.
"Among the many documents Siddall provides in his research is an Oct. 2, 2015, letter from Army Lt. Col Wil Neubauer, chief of Awards and Decorations Branch, confirming that Plumley was authorized to wear one CIB and states that "we are unable to verify" the Combat Infantry Badge with "one star" listed on Plumley's DD Form 214.
"In that same photo, Plumley wore valor awards he did not earn, Siddall wrote. Plumley wore a Silver Star with a bronze oak leaf cluster, which indicates a second Silver Star. Plumley also wore a Bronze Star with a V device for valor and one bronze oak leaf cluster for two awards.
"The October 2015 letter from the Army states Plumley was authorized only one Silver Star and the Bronze Star with one oak leaf cluster, not two OLCs. The letter also states that Plumley was not authorized to wear the V device with his Bronze Star medals."
Please read the article before commenting.
http://www.military.com/daily-news/2016/05/17/army-investigating-we-were-soldiers-legend-for-inflating-award.html
"Among the many documents Siddall provides in his research is an Oct. 2, 2015, letter from Army Lt. Col Wil Neubauer, chief of Awards and Decorations Branch, confirming that Plumley was authorized to wear one CIB and states that "we are unable to verify" the Combat Infantry Badge with "one star" listed on Plumley's DD Form 214.
"In that same photo, Plumley wore valor awards he did not earn, Siddall wrote. Plumley wore a Silver Star with a bronze oak leaf cluster, which indicates a second Silver Star. Plumley also wore a Bronze Star with a V device for valor and one bronze oak leaf cluster for two awards.
"The October 2015 letter from the Army states Plumley was authorized only one Silver Star and the Bronze Star with one oak leaf cluster, not two OLCs. The letter also states that Plumley was not authorized to wear the V device with his Bronze Star medals."
Please read the article before commenting.
http://www.military.com/daily-news/2016/05/17/army-investigating-we-were-soldiers-legend-for-inflating-award.html
Stolen Valor
Vietnam War
Awards
Edited 8 y ago
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 139
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I have a very low tolerance for people who "Steal Valor"....I have even been sued for libel because I exposed a poser in my newspaper column.... ( he lost)..... but to quote a well known Democrat, "At this point, what the hell difference does it make now".... I would be less tolerant if CSM Plumley had been a "total" poser.... but this man "paid dues".....
For me the military awards system is highly flawed. As a combat veteran I have seen the awards system abused and corrupted....troops that deserve awards were often neglected.... troops were given awards they not only did not deserve but they were sometimes given simply to boost morale.
Does any combat experienced veteran, who did the research, actually believe John Kerry earned a "silver star".....?
Some people who knew I was a "green beret" asked me if I would check out a "retired green beret general with nine tours in Vietnam"...... needless to say I was highly suspicious..... when we met in a local restaurant I coined him.... he had no clue.... later as my friends gathered around me wanting my findings.... I said, " It does not matter. Look in his eyes, he is dying. Let him die with his dignity" Two months later he died. You do things for a reason.... to accomplish something important.... why destroy people and get no actual positive results. CSM Plumley ....by accident or even intentionally wear false awards how does shaming him now accomplish anything positive. He was a hero.
For me the military awards system is highly flawed. As a combat veteran I have seen the awards system abused and corrupted....troops that deserve awards were often neglected.... troops were given awards they not only did not deserve but they were sometimes given simply to boost morale.
Does any combat experienced veteran, who did the research, actually believe John Kerry earned a "silver star".....?
Some people who knew I was a "green beret" asked me if I would check out a "retired green beret general with nine tours in Vietnam"...... needless to say I was highly suspicious..... when we met in a local restaurant I coined him.... he had no clue.... later as my friends gathered around me wanting my findings.... I said, " It does not matter. Look in his eyes, he is dying. Let him die with his dignity" Two months later he died. You do things for a reason.... to accomplish something important.... why destroy people and get no actual positive results. CSM Plumley ....by accident or even intentionally wear false awards how does shaming him now accomplish anything positive. He was a hero.
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Go chase real Stolen Valor candidates... this man fought in 3 wars and not on the sidelines... dead in the middle of the action. I am confident he wore what he thought had been awarded to him, whether the paperwork... and it was ALL paper back then, captured it properly or not. We should spend time chasing people who never served or clearly never were assigned to combat zones and are wearing decorations or rank or uniforms they are not authorized in order to fool the public for personal gain. CSM Plumley is NOT that guy by a long shot.
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I really can't understand these stolen valor hawks! The whole stolen valor law was created for fake veterans, 18 year old fake CSMs, and the like. Not to question a dead veterans' integrity or where he got this ribbon or that one. I know I'm not the only one that ain't got time for that. But then again there's the stolen valor vigilantes ("military researchers" lol) out there contacting their buddies at the Pentagon so they can look up this guy or the other' records. I got better crap to do like enjoying life after the military man!!!
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CSM Plumley had a strange relationship with many of his disputed awards - he never spoke of them. Has anyone in this blog heard of him actually SAYING he fought in the Korean War? or that he was an Infantryman in WWII? Or anything at all about his pre-Vietnam Silver Star? or saying he had 5 combat jumps (or even one)? Other than him silently "proclaiming" them with their presence on his uniform, that is. And strangely, even when interviewed by Phil Nordike, he rightly described his artillery scout actions in WWII but did not mention any action that would hint at qualifying him for the CIB for that war - an important omission given that he wore a CIB for WWII. Furthermore, he never wore any ribbons specific to the Korean War. I have NEVER seen a photo of him with combat jump stars on his parachute badge.
He wore a 1-award CIB just prior to Vietnam, as shown in a 1963 Fort Benning newspaper photo. Also, there is a post-Vietnam photo of him wearing a 2-award CIB. Finally, his DD214 lists a 2-award CIB. Then in 1983 Joe Galloway wrote an article stating for the first time anywhere, that he was a 3-award CIB recipient with 4 combat jumps in WWII and 1 combat jump in Korea. Then comes the book in 1992 and the movie in 2001. Well, with records and ribbons in such contradiction, and him being quite a public figure admired by millions, one would think he would feel obligated to straighten out his records. But no. Instead he abstained from comment about anything but his actual Vietnam experiences. Now to those of you who say, "just let it go - he's dead and cant defend himself so its OK" I want to suggest to you that SOLDIERS are worthy of being told the truth. (same goes for Navy, Marines, Air Force of course)
He wore a 1-award CIB just prior to Vietnam, as shown in a 1963 Fort Benning newspaper photo. Also, there is a post-Vietnam photo of him wearing a 2-award CIB. Finally, his DD214 lists a 2-award CIB. Then in 1983 Joe Galloway wrote an article stating for the first time anywhere, that he was a 3-award CIB recipient with 4 combat jumps in WWII and 1 combat jump in Korea. Then comes the book in 1992 and the movie in 2001. Well, with records and ribbons in such contradiction, and him being quite a public figure admired by millions, one would think he would feel obligated to straighten out his records. But no. Instead he abstained from comment about anything but his actual Vietnam experiences. Now to those of you who say, "just let it go - he's dead and cant defend himself so its OK" I want to suggest to you that SOLDIERS are worthy of being told the truth. (same goes for Navy, Marines, Air Force of course)
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CSM Thomas McGarry
Well said 1 SG, I am not disputing that CSM Plumley was a legitimate war heroes, however if he was in fact wearing unauthorized awards, that being awards he may have been entitled to wear if they had been documented properly then they should not have been worn. Obviously any awards he never actually received should not be worn, This is the same for any soldier or sailor who served or is serving!
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All the quibbling about his medals can be dismissed as some have said due to incomplete record keeping during WW2. However, my wonder is how no one noticed how you can't get 3 CIBs for only WW2 & Vietnam. He didn't go to Korea and wears no ribbons from there. Plus only if he converted glider wing assault stars to his jump wings could he possibly have had as many combat stars on his jump wings as he ultimately wore. His photos show no Korea ribbons so I discount third party tribute pages to him that inexplicably show him having all possible service awards for Korea.
Alas, it is all water under the bridge... no indication he ever profited financially by the mistakes. Let it be.
Better to put our efforts into dealing with the phonies among us these days who are getting $$$ from the VA & charitable organizations for their fraudulent claims.
Alas, it is all water under the bridge... no indication he ever profited financially by the mistakes. Let it be.
Better to put our efforts into dealing with the phonies among us these days who are getting $$$ from the VA & charitable organizations for their fraudulent claims.
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1SG Ed Howard
Good comments. I respectfully disagree about his wearing of unauthorized awards being "water under the bridge", however. The Korean War part and the 5 combat jumps he never made partially contributed to him being given the most prestigious award a Fort Benning Infantryman can get - the Doughboy Award. Same goes for him being named an honorary Ranger by the World Wide Army Ranger Association. Who knows when this madness will stop.
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MSgt George Cater
I agree, however the responsibility in the Doughboy and Ranger awards rests with the incompetence of those who must have had a bad case of hero worship and couldn’t do even basic vetting much less reading ribbons.
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Can we all agree he was a Hero? He was.
We all know it's not possible for the Administration branch to screw the pooch...lol. I salute the late SGM
We all know it's not possible for the Administration branch to screw the pooch...lol. I salute the late SGM
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COL Sam Russell Was anything ever said or printed on how this was or is being resolved, or is it still open?
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COL Sam Russell
A True American Hero. He fought in WWII, Korea, And Viet Nam.
I have not seen or read anything further regarding alleged stolen valor. I did find this outstanding tribute...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0FMUyv4XIY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0FMUyv4XIY
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SSG Sean Knudsen
I still and shall always stand with CSM Plumley. He shall rest in peace eternally so help us God. His career and name will be defended until my final day.
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Will just say that without CSM Plumley and all of his records, this will be nearly impossible to figure out, for certain.
The story provides quite a bit of information that folks are asking about/saying, like why the guy was researching, that DD-214s (and predecessors) are not always exact, and more. As for the researcher, Siddall, a quick web search shows that he is anything but unfriendly to the military - he helps folks track down records and information for their relatives who served during World War II and later and, from at least a few articles, has only good things to say about the services and those who fought and served.
No matter the outcome of this story, please take the time to correct any discrepancies in your exit paperwork, now, particularly for personal awards - whether for yourself or your family / descendants.
The story provides quite a bit of information that folks are asking about/saying, like why the guy was researching, that DD-214s (and predecessors) are not always exact, and more. As for the researcher, Siddall, a quick web search shows that he is anything but unfriendly to the military - he helps folks track down records and information for their relatives who served during World War II and later and, from at least a few articles, has only good things to say about the services and those who fought and served.
No matter the outcome of this story, please take the time to correct any discrepancies in your exit paperwork, now, particularly for personal awards - whether for yourself or your family / descendants.
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