What would motivate an Air Force OTS Candidate to lie about having a Purple Heart?

Definitely think the non recommendation received for commissioning isn't enough. Failed the AF as an NCO and I really think AFPC would have found the paperwork by now if this allegation just became this high profile.
And the excuse that his instructors told him not to wear it so that the other students wouldn't get jealous is bogus!!

No Bueno.

The Air Force Core Values are non negotiable. It is what we live by. Integrity first-Service Before Self-Excellence In All We Do. It doesn't state integrity when it is convenient or when it is private or that you can stretch integrity on Facebook because it is off duty. It simply states...Integrity first...it isn't something we read, it defines the very core of who we are. I guarantee that when he was called on the carpet on this, and they dismissed him from OTS, they had the evidence. As a former commander, I can assure you that these measures weren't taken in a vacuum and we will never know the whole story...I guarantee there is more than what is being told. The legal stuff can't be released and that is usually where the meat resides. What is usually released is the stuff the "victim" wants released. There were times in my unit that personnel thought I was either to harsh or too lenient...thing is, they didn't have the whole picture...I did and I handled it according to the evidence through thorough investigation and fact finding that everyone else did not know about...they only saw the duck on top of the water, not the feet below peddling like crazy to move.
The Airman's creed, second paragraph last three lines are "I am faithful to a proud heritage, a tradition of Honor and a legacy of Valor." Honor by Websters is defined as "good reputation : good quality or character as judged by other people: high moral standards of behavior." By lying either on a personal website or at work he has taken he cannot be faithful to a tradition of honor. He can recover in a civilian world but there is no room for that in our military ranks. I wish him best of luck just not as an Airman.

not many Airmen with the exception of PJ's, FAC's and other combat ratings get purple hearts, what was this guys MOS?

This individual has no Integrity - Air Forces first Core Value!! With no Integrity, he will automatically violate the other 2 Core Values - Service Before Self & Excellence In All We Do. Get rid of him.

Maj (Join to see)
If it turns out he really is lying (he appears to have had ample time to produce an Award Citation) I say kick him out due to lack of integrity. If he can lie about something like a medal, do you really trust him leading people into battle? Would he do the right thing or would he be worried about making himself look good?

If they verify that he hasn't actually been awarded the medal he should get the boot. There's no way someone who lies about receiving an award, especially that, should be allowed to stay in. If discharge isn't an option then at least kick him out of OTS and bar him from ever applying to it again. I think at least a loss of stripe would also be justified.

It seems there is some confusion on whether he may have one or not. The article said it sometimes takes awhile for entries to be made. I think I wouldn't make a call until I had all the facts.

What an idiot! Fu-k him for lying about such a thing. He deserves what he gets. Bastard!

Well, sucks to be him.