Posted on Nov 23, 2015
"Fallujah Marine veteran beaten over mistaken case of stolen valor"
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From: USMC Life
A Marine veteran who fought in Fallujah was attacked by an airman who believed he was lying about serving in the Corps. It happened over the weekend at The Long Shot, an Arden-area bar, according to CBS Sacramento.
The Marine veteran, Michael Delfin says he tried to show the airman his ID, but he believed he was looking for a fight.
“I noticed a guy had a fade and he asked me if I was in the service and he said, ‘Yeah, I’m in the Air Force,’ and I said, ‘Oh I was in the Corps,’” he said.
The airman was looking for an active duty CAC card, but since Delfin was a veteran, he only had this VA card – he was accused of lying about serving on the spot.
“So, I asked him to read my ID, and he was like nahh stolen valor, stolen valor; this guy’s a fake,” he said. “He’s ignorant. He needs to learn how to read an ID, plain and simple,” he said. “When a vet tells you he’s a vet and he’s obviously wearing a fallen brothers bracelet doesn’t even recognize that.”
Things started turning ugly and the Delfin tried leaving, but was jumped in the parking lot by the airman and one of his friends.
“And before I knew it I couldn’t get off the ground. My leg gave out; it was kind of a blur,” Delfin said.
Delfin’s tibia is broken, and his jaw might be too.
“I did over 12 years in the Marine Corps; I was a tracker and I was in combat in 2004 in Fallujah,” he said.
“Because everybody that’s in the service does their job, but when you go to combat it’s a different thing, so to claim on me I’m stolen valor, that’s a slap in every veteran’s face,” he said. “He needs to get caught. He needs to get made an example of, plain and simple.”
Sacramento Police have filed a report, Delfin has also heard from an Air Force investigator.
http://usmclife.com/2015/10/fallujah-marine-veteran-beaten-over-mistaken-case-of-stolen-valor/
A Marine veteran who fought in Fallujah was attacked by an airman who believed he was lying about serving in the Corps. It happened over the weekend at The Long Shot, an Arden-area bar, according to CBS Sacramento.
The Marine veteran, Michael Delfin says he tried to show the airman his ID, but he believed he was looking for a fight.
“I noticed a guy had a fade and he asked me if I was in the service and he said, ‘Yeah, I’m in the Air Force,’ and I said, ‘Oh I was in the Corps,’” he said.
The airman was looking for an active duty CAC card, but since Delfin was a veteran, he only had this VA card – he was accused of lying about serving on the spot.
“So, I asked him to read my ID, and he was like nahh stolen valor, stolen valor; this guy’s a fake,” he said. “He’s ignorant. He needs to learn how to read an ID, plain and simple,” he said. “When a vet tells you he’s a vet and he’s obviously wearing a fallen brothers bracelet doesn’t even recognize that.”
Things started turning ugly and the Delfin tried leaving, but was jumped in the parking lot by the airman and one of his friends.
“And before I knew it I couldn’t get off the ground. My leg gave out; it was kind of a blur,” Delfin said.
Delfin’s tibia is broken, and his jaw might be too.
“I did over 12 years in the Marine Corps; I was a tracker and I was in combat in 2004 in Fallujah,” he said.
“Because everybody that’s in the service does their job, but when you go to combat it’s a different thing, so to claim on me I’m stolen valor, that’s a slap in every veteran’s face,” he said. “He needs to get caught. He needs to get made an example of, plain and simple.”
Sacramento Police have filed a report, Delfin has also heard from an Air Force investigator.
http://usmclife.com/2015/10/fallujah-marine-veteran-beaten-over-mistaken-case-of-stolen-valor/
Stolen Valor
Air Force
Marine Corps
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 102
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Stolen Valor never justifies vigilantes. Need to know your facts before challenging somebody. The burden of proof lies with the person making the challenge, not the veteran. I am no longer subject to an active duty chain of command and am not required to prove my veteran status to anyone unless i am seeking something based on it (discount, access, etc). The sooner the people issuing these challenges figure out to respect and investigate first, and to properly challenge second, the better.
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First off neither party was thinking with 100% brain power since they were in a bar. The airman must have some issues and be in need of counseling for anger management.
I actually have a picture of my DD-214 on my phone because I had to send it to RP to get verified and to join my local Amvets post. However I have never been asked to show it to the general public to prove I am a Veteran. Maybe it's because I don't wear military item's or go to bars and talk smack. I prefer to visit Vets in the Nursing home or VA clinic.
People that pretend to be War Hero's are a special kind of scum and will answer for their actions come judgment day.
I actually have a picture of my DD-214 on my phone because I had to send it to RP to get verified and to join my local Amvets post. However I have never been asked to show it to the general public to prove I am a Veteran. Maybe it's because I don't wear military item's or go to bars and talk smack. I prefer to visit Vets in the Nursing home or VA clinic.
People that pretend to be War Hero's are a special kind of scum and will answer for their actions come judgment day.
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Its hard enough for us Vets to get any help from the VA as it is, then crap like this happens. This Airman should be ashamed to do this to his fellow Vet. In fact I believe the Airman should be court-martial for their action. Doesn't matter if its stolen valor or not. There is no excuse whatsoever to act out as what the Airman did. I believe this Airman should be set as an example to those who want to play this game. I took the oath, as many did, to protect the Constitution both foreign and domestic. This includes protecting our citizens. Let's not be some of these cops on the news who harass and falsely accuse innocent people because they think they are above the law.
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Sad but not Surprised! With all the "Press" about "Stolen Valor" that someone wants to take the law into their own hands and is Wrong on All Counts.
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Um, so we all take the word of someone who got beat up in a bar fight on why the fight happened. No witnesses stepped forward. To be honest it could have been anyone who stomped him out for any reason. There is also a Go Fund Me set up for the "victim". The only thing that irks vets more than stolen Valor is false accusations of stolen valor. Use your judgement before jumping on the band wagon and believing one side of a story.
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Sgt Hard Philips
I see how you attained your rank. Thoughtful. Couldn't've saluted you when I was in, but do so now. (Nice thing about being a vet is choice {beyond the UCMJ!})
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So the Air Force wants to "play tough" being one of theirs finally got some recognition for "gettin some" with a terrorist. This wasn't the way to do it. Another Marine vet was beaten for "faking it" over the last week. Damn shame what the internet and some FB vet sites have caused some to become.
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SMSgt Lawrence McCarter
That has nothing to do with the Air Force, it is the actions of one scumbag that doesn't deserve to wear that uniform and should be brought to trial for Assault and Battery on that Marine.
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CPL Donald Pelton
Even the best Marine can be blind sided, if you don't believe that. Then walk down any isle of Arlington.
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PFC Terry Kuehner
True enough, but come at me face to face and it will take more than 2 to kick my ass
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An ugly trend has started. We can all spot fakes. Do we really need to do anything unless they are doing so for personal gain? This will ruffle feathers I am certain. Also, does anyone else find it bizarre that an airman was successful in carrying out this level of violence on a Marine?
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Infuriating.
I've said it before, I'll say it again; it's ALWAYS better to let 100 fakers go, than to falsely accuse and shame even 1 legitimate veteran or service member. More often than not these guys are a bunch of damn YouTube warriors looking for their internet fame.
If you aren't 100% sure, AND aren't willing to publicly take 100% responsibility for your actions if you're wrong, put your damn phone away and don't accuse people of Stolen Valor!
I've said it before, I'll say it again; it's ALWAYS better to let 100 fakers go, than to falsely accuse and shame even 1 legitimate veteran or service member. More often than not these guys are a bunch of damn YouTube warriors looking for their internet fame.
If you aren't 100% sure, AND aren't willing to publicly take 100% responsibility for your actions if you're wrong, put your damn phone away and don't accuse people of Stolen Valor!
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If drinking was involved, then I can understand why we have idiots starting fights. Enough said!
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