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Texas congressman won’t stop wearing combat Infantryman Badge that was revoked (www.military.com)

submitted 6 months ago by MicroWave@lemmy.world to c/politics@lemmy.world

46 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 Troy Nehls, R-Texas, wears on his lapel was revoked since he was never eligible for the award to begin with, the congressman refuses to take the pin off.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 186 points 6 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 91 points 6 months ago

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

[-] magnetosphere@fedia.io 67 points 6 months ago

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

[-] Iheartcheese@lemmy.world 26 points 6 months ago

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

[-] SaltySalamander@fedia.io 8 points 6 months ago

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

[-] magnetosphere@fedia.io 7 points 6 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 -20 points 6 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 6 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 9 points 6 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 6 months ago* (last edited 6 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 6 months ago

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

[-] HelixDab2@lemm.ee 6 points 6 months ago

[...]with intent to obtain money, property, or other tangible benefit[...] [emphasis added]

There's your problem. You'd have to demonstrate that he claimed the badge in order to receive some benefit. He's a congressional member of Texas, and Republican; by winning the primary--which likely did not hinge on the medal--he was almost certain to win the general election.

This would be a very, very hard case to make as a prosecutor.

[-] AllNewTypeFace@leminal.space 104 points 6 months ago

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

[-] mp3@lemmy.ca 51 points 6 months ago

Isn't that considered Stolen Valor?

[-] OpenStars@discuss.online 17 points 6 months ago

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

[-] Halosheep@lemm.ee 2 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago)

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

[-] OpenStars@discuss.online 1 points 6 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 6 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 6 months ago

Oh really?

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

[-] mozz@mbin.grits.dev 43 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago)

Try that in a small town

Oh wait hang on, I'm confused now

[-] Snapz@lemmy.world 40 points 6 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 34 points 6 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."

[-] JimSamtanko@lemm.ee 32 points 6 months ago

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

[-] Branch_Ranch@lemmy.world 31 points 6 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 6 months ago

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

[-] ShittyBeatlesFCPres@lemmy.world 27 points 6 months ago

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

[-] just_another_person@lemmy.world 16 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 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".

[-] Lasherz12@lemmy.world 15 points 6 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 6 months ago

[-] modifier@lemmy.ca 15 points 6 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 6 months ago

Just another Tuesday in Republican world.

[-] Sam_Bass@lemmy.world 8 points 6 months ago

Shame there isnt a Butthurt Peckerhead badge

[-] CavalierBob@lemmy.world 7 points 6 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 6 months ago

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

[-] Delusional@lemmy.world 3 points 6 months ago

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

[-] BigMacHole@lemm.ee 2 points 6 months ago

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

[-] the_tab_key@lemmy.world 14 points 6 months ago

\s?

[-] Nurse_Robot@lemmy.world 14 points 6 months ago

Looking at the post history, you're correct. This particular comment must have been a little too on the nose

[-] Delonix@lemmy.world 2 points 6 months ago

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

this post was submitted on 22 Jun 2024

471 points (98.8% liked)

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