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Subscribe to RSSA South Jersey mayor whose military record was called into question has admitted he never served in Vietnam.
Stafford Township Mayor John Spodofora apologized for misleading anyone and told the township committee meeting Tuesday that his “feet were not in Vietnam.”
Spodofora read a statement in which he said he has “said and implied things” that he should not have. Spodofora apologized to township Republican Club President Martha Kremer who raised questions about the mayor's military service after announcing she was running for office.
For more, visit NBCPhiladelphia.com
Military records obtained by The Press of Atlantic City showed the mayor served in the Navy from 1966 until 1973. The 66-year-old was a cryptographer assigned to an office or submarine in the Caribbean and Mediterranean.
The mayor said much of his duty was classified.
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When caught in a big fat lie then claim it's secret or a natiional security issue...he's a lying chickenhawk republican...like most of the rest
Wow! A politician lied....that's big news. Didn't Obama say Gitmo would be closed one year after he started his presidency?!? That's not costing the taxpayers too much.
And democrats never do that? Heh Senator Blumenthal from Connecticut comes to mind. Leave your childish partisan crap unsaid.
If Republicans didn't stand in the way of every attempt to do so, it just might have been accomplished too.
The Party of NO, impeding American progress for as long as I can remember!
Another so called "I am more patriotic than you, holier-than-thou, bring back our country, show-me-your-birth-certificate" phony Teabag...
While the "real Americans" were fighting in Vietnam, he was busy drinking Margaritas in the Caribbean...
I am willing to bet the average politician's Resume is phony....the more ignorant the jurisdiction they represent, the more phony their resumes....
What hypocrites these GOP Tebags are....
Just like Bush lied about WMD.
Who would vote for a liar? Let alone a person who lies about where they served, trying to act like a war veteran.
Kind of reminds me of Bush in the flight suit, declaring "Mission Accomplished" when it had hardly begun. Bush's service in the Texas Air National Guard was spent largely AWOL, with the protection of his father and their cronies. Disrespectful to those who have actually served in battle.
Fred Evil
You need to get your facts right. Thje democrats controlled Congress and refused to spend the money to close GITMO. It was the dems who stopped President Obama from closing the only good place to hold those terrorists. It is one of the things that the dem Congress got right. There aren't many.
As far as lying goes. "I never had sex with that woman". That has to be the biggest and most costly lie this country has ever heard.
How about John Kerry throwing his medals over that fence? Oh, it turns out they weren't his medals afterall. You do remember John Kerry don't you? Do you know he serves about 3 months in Viet Nam? Sure won a lot of medals in a very short time didn't he?
And let's not ever forget John Edwards, a real piece of work.
...at least he served, unlike our current President....
There are some costly lies out there. Another one is WMD in Iraq. The list just goes and goes. The costliest??? I'm thinking that one is still coming.
It doesn't matter if he is a Republican or Democrat, he is a "poseur". As a Vietnam veteran, I take geat offense at this man's ("man", a word whose definition doesn't fit him) lying about his militry record. If he was a cryptographer, his work would have been classified. However, given his previous lie, he was most likely a clerk typist. He should resign in disgrace.
Was the Clinton cabinet secretary erroneously buried at Arlington a
Republican? You MUST remember him,.... he got dug up and moved ? False claims were the sole reason.
This crap is not endemic to one or the other party , and do even start to blubber same otherwise shows you have Objective Thought as #99 out of 100 on a list of *intelligent things to do in my lifetime*. A M F
Oh, please. No one-- either right or left-- wanted the inmates of Gitmo in their state. That is why Gitmo is still open for business. Plenty of Democrats "impeded American progress" with respect to the infamous Cuban prison because they knew their constituents would raise Cain, and by extension, their reelection efforts would be compromised.
But of course, it's another election year, and the stupidity of the American voter is on full display:
Democrat: My side of the coin is clearly shinier than your side, republiCON!
Republican: Nonsense, my side of the coin obviously has the superior polish, DEMONcrat!
Democrat: My side is brighter, Fascist Rethuglican!!!
Republican: My side is shinier, Socialist Demtard!!!
Uh, fellas? Ahem... Independent here... Perhaps you didn't notice... but, well, you're fighting over a coin that's lying in a pile of excrement exuded from a herd of Asses and Pachyderms... Neither side can claim any superior glint...
JH, YOU need to get YOUR facts right. The GOP had President Obama's hands tied because they would not allow any prisoners be shipped to American jails OR be tried via U.S. Federal Court, making it difficult to even send any prisoners to other countries to be held either. Obama HAS been searching for other alternatives, but you know, the United States was going into a full blown recession right after he took office and there is this little thing called PRIORITIES. Oh yeah, the 'Swift Boat' agenda of lies you're talking about concerning Kerry? And finally JH, the COSTLIEST lie? President Bush saying there were WMDS in Iraq, U.S. Military LIVES and MONEY were lost, but that's okay in YOUR book, because lies about an affair was worse, which Gingrich was doing at the very same time. smh
He was a cryptogropher. Since you appear to be an idiot, that means he broke enemy coded communications and wrote US coded communications. That kind of work is, de facto, classified. There are plenty of liars on both sides of the aisle to go around, so before you throw out the "of course he lied, he's a repulican" schtick, hold up a mirror for the other side as well.
Thanks WMG-21,
Everyone is so quick to play apartisan side on every single issue one can imagine ,,,,
You're right both sides are a bunch os "asses & pachyderms" ,,,and I can't say I'm impressed with either side !!!
By military definition he is a Vietnam Era vet. Few who served in America's wars were in front line combat. That doesn't make them any less veterans of that conflict. I don't know what he said he did in Vietnam, but it sounds like his service was honorable and important, even if he never sat foot there. A lot of Navy pilots never sat foot there either, except for guys like McCain. Most of the left-wingers on here are just looking for an excuse to bash a republican. I remember the democrats during the period that this man was on active duty and their behavior was down right disgraceful. Most of the flannel mouthed lefties on here have no clue what they are talking about.
MartiniBlues: Liberals are like vampires, they can't see themselves in the mirror.
Oh my God, you bunch of big cry-babies, whichever side you are on, right/left, con/lib, tea bagger/douche bagger. You are what's driving this country apart! You're worse than the politicians themselves!
WMG-21, did ya ever notice when these idiots get called on the carpet they go back under their rock. Good post.
Henry Bouffard said it best. He lied about serving in Veit Nam. He used the memory of those killed to uplift his political position. Their deaths were worth money and power to him. I don't care if he was Democrat or Republican. Anybody who tries to profit on a dead soldiers memory needs to go serve at the local VA hospital. Clean out bedpans for a while. That's what he is best qualified to do for these lies. A simple "Oop's, my bad" and "Let the healing begin", doesn't fly here.
he is just some jersey shore mayor in some dippy jersey shore town. who cares.
Special agent "Orange"??
How was that the biggest and most costly? How many lives were lost over it? Seems to me lying about WMD cost taxpayers $10 BILLION/MONTH for years under dubya. I won't even mention how many lives were lost over that lie.
Obama wasn't being dishonest when he proclaimed that he would close Guantanamo. He was simply over confident/naive. That is very different than telling voters you served in Vietnam when you were never there. I don't think anyone would argue that closing Guantanamo is ideally desirable but technically impossible. Lets remember that Guantanamo is another mess created by Bush/Cheney in the immediate aftermath of 9/11. In fairness to them we don't know how any other President/VP would have handled the dangerous radicals captured around the world following the attack. I do seem to recall that there were some/many who advised against creating such a facility and world wide condemnation of it. Of course, much like Iraq, Bush/Cheney shrugged off the advice/warnings and blindly plunged ahead. So now it's Obama's fault that it remains open in spite of his signed presidential edict ordering it closed. He has to accept that and there is no denying it but don't forget who created the mess(es)(wars, deficits, financial,social, ecological,legal, diplomatic) that Obama is trying to clean up. There likely isn't enough soap anywhere to scrub the stains left by the last administration off this country.
Or enough soap to get the blood off their hands.
matt,
Sorry but what is driving this country apart is the chicago style politics of obama. It's a style of divide and conquer at any cost.
Before obama there were differences of opinion between political parties but those were generally overcome by compromise. Obama comes to power and his tactic is one where he proposes policy and anyone not willing to go along with his view is automatically termed someone who will not "work with me". It does not matter whether the opponents' point is a better one or a worse one. All that comes out of obamas' mouth is "they are not willing to work with me"; as in the case where obama stated "I have not read that bill but I will veto it". HE is not willing to work with anyone unless they are democrats or see things his way.
Way to go "mr. compromiser" and phoney Noble Peace prize purchaser.
Last I heard from you democrat friends is that your "real Americans". Had a real fun time killing children.
One lie from the left I really get tired of hearing is that Bush lied about WMD's. Bush was just telling the country what the Clinton Administration repeated for 8 years. Bill, Hillary, John Kerry, Ted Kennedy, and every other memeber of the Clinton Administration were lying to us for 8 years? Both the dems and repubs voted to go to war with Iraq. We took a strong coalition with us. STOP THAT LIE!!
I really believe that most of Americans are starting to get more involved and are able to search out what the truth is. That is why I strongly believe that the shellacking will continue in November. We are tired of the BS from all politicians and most of the old timers are heading out the door. Why the heck do you think that the Tea Party members are demonized? They are upsetting the apple cart and the old timers don't like it.
sighber - I will agree that Obama is naive. In fact I think it has shown for the past 3 years just how over confident/naive that man is. I will be glad to see him go back to Chicagom in January.
Fantomdog - You're just wrong!!
Just to clear up a possible misconception. it was a common practice beginning in Vietnam, that it was permissible to be called a "Vietnam Veteran" and to receive such status if you were involved in a "touch and go" maneuver (plane) or on board a ship that docked in Vietnam. In truth you were in Vietnam but actually never set "foot" on Vietnamese soil. Another ploy was to land, deplane, re-board, and take off again. Same for ships. These were much used "ploys" by high ranking "Brass". Additionally, if you swerved in a Military Branch between 1962 and 1964*, I believe, you were classified as a "Vietnam War Era" Veteran even never doing the above or otherwise involved in the conflict.
Wonder if this is still happening in the Middle East?
Bush who?
WMG - #1.13; YEAH! Nail on the head there.
Slimwest1
There is a difference between lying and being able to successfully carry out a plan. Unless you know for a fact that the President never intended to try to close Gitmo, labelling it a "lie" is just another example of trying to smear the President on everything at every opportunity.
Hey Rick, you better read the article again. It never gave the Mayor's political affiliation and named his opponent as a Republican. I can also tell you after 24 years of military service that there aren't to many people with Democratic, leftist, progressive, Marxist leanings (those like you) serviing in the military.
If this guy was a Cryptologist most of what he did WAS classified.
@ 1.9 Which of republican canidates served in the military?
And since when did military service become a requirement for being President??
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_Presidents_by_military_rank
President Obama TRIED to close Gitmo but his efforts to do so were blocked by republicans in congress.
That seems to be standard operating procedure for today's republicans: block everything the president tries to do, then blame him when nothing gets done.
How quaint, conservatives don't like an opinion, so they collapse it.
Getting old, ladies...
SCGuardian - Military personnel automatically get the designation (by the VA) as a Vietnam-era or Gulf War-era or whatever the recent war was underway while they were on active duty, regardless of where in the world they were serving. All jobs are considered important, and many are in indirect support of the war.
That's different from a veteran claiming they "served" in Vietnam or Iraq, etc., if they were not adjacent, on, or over that territory during the war. If you're a sailor on board a ship offshore Iraq supporting troops on the ground, that still counts as "serving" in Iraq; same thing with pilots and aircrew flying supplies there.
These distinctions, however, are important in how someone claims they served, and any level of dishonesty shows that person is unsuitable for public office. Lying about the character of your military service is NOT the same as lying on your resume because the former is disrespectful to those veterans who actually served, fought, got injured, or died during the conflict.
Junicon, you are full of B.S. Obama had full control of the House and Senate for his first two years in office and the Republicans couldn't have blocked anything. Obama's campaign promise was to close Gitmo in his first two years. At the same time Obama doesn't have to obtain any permission from Republicans to close Gitmo. It can be done administratively. Stop making excuses for your lying Marxist Messiah.
Yeah Fred, it's only conservatives collapsing posts and not any lefties like yourself. You are truly clueless.
"he's a lying chickenhawk republican...like most of the rest"
Uh huh. Sure. That explains why it was the Republicans who actually started investigating this matter. Because they're liars. You paint with an over-wide brush my friend. I don't call all democrats liars, just because of the lies perpetrated by a specific member of that party. Nor am I foolish enough to think most of them ARE liars just because one is.
"President Obama TRIED to close Gitmo but his efforts to do so were blocked by republicans in congress." - Junicon
You neglect to mention the strong opposition from his own party as well. And besides, his party held majority in BOTH houses of congress until 2010. If he couldn't close Gitmo with that kind of power, he either lied about his intentions to close Gitmo, or he's incompetent. Take your pick.
Slimwest1: You're a gullible idiot.
Please tell me you're not serious.
lying doesn't discriminate between political affiliation. Democrats do their share as well.
JH::: And let's not forget Dick Cheney-- his method of keeping out of the military was "keep her barefoot and pregnant". Same with Mutt Romney-- but money also helped like it helped a very many rich brats.
I have NO tolerance with anyone who lies about military service-- and I have no tolerance for anyone who lies about medals or being a POW.
Why does it bother me like it does? My dad served in WW1 and WW2 and was a prisoner of the Japanese for 39 months in WW2. My late husband served two tours in VietNam. I work among veterans, combat veterans. None of these have to lie about their military service-- not my dad, my husband or "my guys".
HankE::: Bush didn't lie about "Mission Accomplished". His mission was to get out of the plane and get onto the deck and to not fall flat on his face-- which he did accomplish. It was difficult to do but he managed to stay on his own two feet.
Auto 101: War is hell, isn't it. Or are you so young that you don't remember what WAR really is. So what if we killed women and children. You couldn't tell an innocent woman from a woman wired as a suicide bomber who would get to be your friend and blow herself and you up. And the kids? Oh, soldier, I would like a piece of candy-- and BLAM!
If it weren't for the savior George Bush, we wouldn't have been there in the first place.
People keep claiming President Obama lied about closing Gitmo. The truth is he made a campaign promise to close it, and he did try to keep the promise. My understanding is all of the supermax prisons that were considered acceptable are state prisons. But it wasn't congress that blocked it; the governors of the various states that were considered were all opposed. It appears the issue of closing Gitmo was a state's rights issue, and President Obama respected the right of those governors to refuse to participate.
For Mayor Spodofora....you are a Dirt Bag.
Viet vet: 1971-75
Dave, he lied. He promised on the campaign trail and upon taking office he stated that it would be closed in one year. Personally I think Gitmo should remain open but Obama still lied. He should have just said that after further assessment he believes it's the best solution for now but he didn't have the political courage to do that.
Hey everybody, give President Obama a break. When he got in office and was briefed on the prisoners at GITMO and their backrounds he must of realized they were too wicked to bring to U.S. soil and decided to keep the place open where they are right now. We don't know what the President heard, but we can't really judge him without getting the same briefing he had.
@SCGuardian: Wonder if this is still happening in the Middle East?
Yes it is. According to my DDFm 214 I am a Gulf War Veteran even though I was never deployed there. I do make it clear to people when I talk about my time in the military that while I served 'DURING' the Gulf War I was never 'IN' the Gulf War. My personal standards might be different than others, technically I do not have to explain the difference as my military records do show that I am a Gulf War Veteran.
Veteran, Obama should have kept his big lying mouth shut until he understood the situation. That's what most reasonable people would do. Find out about the issue before passing judgement and making promises. He has a habit of shooting off his lying mouth. You do remember the incident with the police don't you? Obama is a pathetic little Marxist weasel who has never accomplished anything other than self-promotion.
There are lies and then there are LIES. Any political candidate or elected official that lies about their military service is a disgrace to our country and should IMMEDIATELY be removed from office and lose any benefits (pension and others) that honorable service would have entitled them to receive. There should be no exceptions or excuses on this issue. No one should benefit from lying about military service or cheapen real military service by taking credit for serving our country when they did not.
@Auto 101
I'm pretty sure you're too much of a coward to say that to my or any other Vet's face. I know hiding behind a monitor makes you brave, I didn't realize just how foolish it also made you.
H Stowell, did I say anything about 'lefties' NOT collapsing posts? I don't approve of that either, feel free to review my posts, and then you can apologize.
H Stowell - I agree, there is a big difference between saying something to get votes and then getting briefed on the actual facts.
I'm not saying it your democrat Representatives are.
Yes war is hell and it is better to be a solder then a civilian as a soldier you can at least have a fighting chance. in WW2 civilians were butchered by both sides. in war you will always have civilian casualties.
So you when around shooting every child you saw that wanted candy.
A lying politician. Who would have thunk.... Give me back my vote.
Wouldn't believe that either. A lying politician...imagine that!
"Okay, I wasn't really in Vietnam like I said. I was.... well, it's classified.... so classified that even I am not allowed to remember it. Boo-ya! Me: 1, You: 0."
He is probably right it was classified as "secret" not "top secret". IT is a good thing your aloud to lie about your service just like the guy in California that said he received the "Medal of Honor" when running for office. The Goverment is right You get no benefits from stealing valor.
QUOTE: "New Jersey mayor admits he never served in Vietnam"
Sounds like some of the people who write comments here in which they claim long service and great deeds.
That's not even close to Vietnam. Implied things?!? Sounds more like flat-out lying to me.
Spodofora enlisted in the U.S. Navy on July 12, 1966 and was discharged on July 6, 1973 — making all of Spodofora’s service time coincide with the Vietnam War. Spodofora was discharged from the Navy as a petty officer E5.
Fellow Councilman Robert Kusznikow is a former U.S. Marine who served in Khe Sanh, Vietnam, from 1967 to 1968. Kusznikow said he served during the Tet Offensive operation by the North Vietnamese.
Kusznikow, who ran against Spodofora in May 2009, said the mayor is an honest, decent individual and he doesn’t understand why anyone would question his military service.
“Shame on you Martha Kremer, supposedly a friend to John and his family for 25 years, to try and destroy a good man,” Kusznikow said.
Mokie Porter, spokeswoman for the Vietnam Veterans of America, said Spodofora is absolutely eligible to be a member of the organization. Spodofora recently joined the organization as a life member, he said.
Spodofora said last week he felt his claim of being a Vietnam veteran was not fraudulent, even though he served with the Navy. However, he has since changed his bio on the township’s website to read “Vietnam era Veteran.”
... the hell is that supposed to mean? Navy service is not somehow "less" than other branches of the armed forces. A guy who serves on a carrier or sub risks just as much as the man who straps on his boots and goes on a combat patrol. The idea that sailors are somehow "safer" than other combat vets is nothing more than an illusion; just ask the countless WWII navy vets who were the lucky survivors of sunken ships.
Good post - you're 100% correct!
I have friends that were in the Navy and they served on the swiftboats that ran up and down the Vietnamese rivers, dodging bullets, etc. No different, as I can see, as the guys on the ground.
Hey folks, a lot of us Navy Veterans WERE in country in Vietnam. Mike RICE RIVDIV543 Cua-Viet 68-69.
As far as it goes, imagine sitting at the bottom of the ocean in a steel tube with a nuclear reactor in the middle and the entire back half filled with ballistic missles full of rocket fuel and nuclear warheads. I don't think that is sitting in a carribbean island drinking mai tais.
Hey if he is a GOP politician you KNOW that he never served anything in the military except a nice soft NON-Combat position. Congress is full of these Administrators, National Guard or Reserves that only go on free tours to get ther picture taken and are always surrounded by REAL troops to protect them. Look at the backgrounds of these politicians of either party and you find someone looking for a PHOTO Opportunity.
Almost 30% of the forces in Iraq and Afghanistan are Guard or Reserve. Perhaps you would like to rethink that statement.
You mean like GW and his flying a desk as a pilot during the Vietnam War? Then his PR stunt ""Mission Accomplished" aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln.
This reminds me of the Warmonger Bush!!! I was in the Air Guard, but never went to drills!!!!
The Article never said he was a republican. He could be a democrat or an Independent.
Looks like Martha Kremer isrunning against him in an up coming election.
Spodofora apologized to township Republican Club President Martha Kremer who raised questions about the mayor's military service after announcing she was running for office.
I tried to find some information on line to determine his political affiliation.
Ed, it's bad enought when posters bash one party or the other, but you have taken it to a new level:"IF he is a GOP politician etc". So if he's not, do you crawl back into the woodwork and wait for another thread to make another stupid post?
SO you mean his father that was shot down in WW2 was lying about his service? How about McCain? John Karry was to busy shooting children. Their are far more than you will ever know that have served in both party's. Stealing Valor is not just one party thing it is scum bags that do it.
Ed, after 24 years of military service myself I'd say it is you that has never served a day in the military and know nothing about it. The vast majority of people in today's voluntary military are conservative. Not Democrat, progressive, communist, or whatever those of you on the left call yourselves today. You are another typical leftis idiot.
STOWELL: How bout we make up a comparison list of Republicans and Democrats who are currently in Congress or were in Congress for the last 25 years or so?
Wanna bet ("I'll bet you 10,000 Dollars") I can name more Democrats who've served with honor and distinction than you can name Republicans???
How many Medal of Honor, Silver Star, Distinguished Navy Cross, Distinguished Service Cross GOPers can you name???
Ozzie Boy, I'm talking about the masses that serve not politicians. Many of those in Congress that served were elected partially on their military service and the Democrats with the records you speak of are conservative types and not the far left progressive socialist/Marxist bent types I know you support. Like I said, there are few lefties like you serving in the military. If you were there you would know.
Okay, I am a conservative Democrat and a retired Air Force Veteran who served during Vietnam years and spent some of my time on Okinawa (with SAC), and four and one-half years on
Guam (with SAC). Now granted I didn't actually serve in 'nam I am considered a Vietnam Vet because of that time spent overseas with Strategic Air Command which flew B-52s over Vietnam. As I recollect GWB never even made it out of the US, or even spent any active duty time during Vietnam, like John Kerry did. Yes, he maybe threw medals over a fence because he saw the war for what it was and disliked what he saw. I doubt the Karl Rove even served in any branch of military, but he sure was good about lying about John Kerry.
Ed, it was Kerry who told the lies and that's according to the people who served with and under him. He lied when he got his medals. He lied about the real combat troops when he got back here and testified in front of Congress. He helped others lie in the Winter Soldier project by putting up fake vets. He associated with the enemy in Paris. Kerry is a disgrace and a scumbag. Bush was a fighter pilot who did not see Vietnam. He completed his service obligation honorably. Kerry completed his and then went on to disgrace himself while attempting to disgrace other veterans. Kerry is disgusting.
Some people will lie to get elected. But then again I never have seen a politician that did not lie to get elected.
Good Ole NJ. That's why I love you.
He watched Forrest Gump one too many times.
What a jerk! There's a HUGE difference in being a combat Viet Nam vet and being a Viet Nam Era vet! Maybe he got a Purple Heart for a paper cut!
Enma3 - Exactly right. Either you were there or you weren't. None of this "era" bullcrap. I was born in 1946. I was alive during the Korean War. I'm an Army veteran, Vietnam 1967-68. Does that also make me a Korean vet because I was alive during that "era"?
People who lie about combat service should be held up to public ridicule and drummed out of office. Tar and feathers should be an option for the more egregious liars.
If the dude was in fact assigned to a submarine, that in and of itself should qualify as combat duty. Any sailor worth his salt knows that the minute you leave port, you consider yourself at war... so what if he was never "in the sh!t"; I'd rather be fighting little Asian dudes in pajamas in the jungle than stuck in a steel tube 300 feet under water with Soviet subs tracking my every move.
No You Wouldn't!
Chris, go back to your video games. While serving in the Navy is an honorable profession it in no way compares to frontline service in the jungles of Vietnam. You were not constantly fighting rain, mosquitoes, snakes, dysentary, malaria, starvation, and the guyes in pajamas who happen to have AK 47's. Don't recall a US submarine attacked by the Russians except in a couple of video games and a fairly good movie with Sean Connery. Get real.
Place of action KIA Wounded, Died, Invalided died later POW from service ---------------------------------------------------------------------- North African landings Navy 472 17 0 80 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Sicilian landings Navy 521 24 0 33 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Italian landings Navy 788 31 1 74 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Landings in Southern France Navy 36 8 0 20 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Invasion of France Navy 1068 32 2 263 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Atlantic or Caribbean area unspecified Navy 2443 14 0 79 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Attack on Pearl Harbor Navy 1744 17 2 41 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Fall of the Philippines Navy 337 2 630 3 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Netherlands, East Indies engagement Navy 1656 12 94 7 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Pacific raids Navy 40 0 4 2 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Battle of Coral Sea Navy 537 6 1 11 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Battle of Midway Navy 301 8 1 15 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Guadalcanal, Tulagi landings Navy 1176 20 2 85 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Battle of Savo Island Navy 936 11 0 51 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Battle of Eastern Solomons Navy 85 4 0 4 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Battle of Cape Esperance Navy 168 1 0 5 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Battle of Santa Cruz Islands Navy 242 5 0 16 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Battle of Guadalcanal Navy 971 20 2 62 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Battle of Tassafaronga Navy 389 8 0 8 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Capture of remaining Solomons Navy 1246 56 0 174 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Battle of Tarawa Navy 724 3 0 23 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Battle of Cape Gloucester Navy 145 9 0 20 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Invasion of Marshall Islands Navy 187 3 1 44 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Invasion of Marianas Navy 513 43 1 228 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Invasion of Palau Islands Navy 185 10 0 68 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Landings on Biak New Guinea Navy 164 6 0 40 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Bombardment of Truk Navy 78 3 0 12 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to the Philippines Navy 4026 270 40 830 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Battle of Iwo Jima Navy 934 48 0 349 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Bombardments of Formosa French Indochina Navy 269 9 2 30 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Bombing and landing on Okinawa Navy 3809 219 0 876 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Bombardment of Kyushu Island and Japan Navy 963 6 1 38 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Aleutian or Alaskan area, unspecified Navy 177 1 0 8 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Pacific or Asiatic area, unspecified Navy 4462 12 93 188 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- After 1 July 1945 Navy 1103 14 2 88 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Specific action not determined Navy 1719 20 30 773 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Total, all actions Navy 34607 972 909 4647 You have dishonored many, many Navy vets with your thoughtless post. Naval combat IS frontline service, no matter how you groundpounders try to make yourselves seem more special.Nice work Chris!
QUOTE: "If the dude was in fact assigned to a submarine"
Does anyone know the name of that submarine?
David B. - Please read www.riflewarrior.com/vietnam.html to get a little perspective about Vietnam in 1967. I wrote that while up at the DMZ. Peace.
Mayor Spodofora seems to have lied about his service record much like former Connecticut Attorney General and now United States Senator Richard Blumenthal D- Connecticut did regarding having served in Viet Nam. Having been witnessed on several occasions making reference to "when he was in Viet Nam" and "when he came home from Viet Nam", Blumenthal stated that he had "misspoken" (politician talk for I got caught in a lie). In fact, Blumenthal served in the United States Marine Corps Reserves, never left the United States, and was given several deferments during the Viet Nam war.
Both of these guys make me sick and the United States should be ashamed that either one is serving in government. These guys have spit on the valor of those who actually served. Pathetic. It would seem that there should be a process in place where they could be removed from office for their lies and breach of trust to the American public.
Then their is the other side of that coin. Those that served with real honor and distinction in combat are called liars and phonies. It is refered to as Swiftboating. Ask Sen. J. Kerry about that.
Those voters in Conn. should all give up their voting privelidges.
Kerry is a LIAR.
No Bruce - those nut jobs who claimed he didn't serve were the liars and they know they were liars. It will happen again when a person runs for president who was in the service: someone or a group will be recruited to say "they were never there!" A guy on my street served with Kerry. he said he didn't know him outside of his name he was disgusted by those Texas guys (side note: the guy I am referring to is from South Carolina. What is it with people in the south: They hate Texans and don't consider them 'southerners' and Texas dislikes the rest of the south as well and believe them to be beneath them ( I get this from people I deal with in Texas)
H25, Kerry is absolutely a liar. Nobody said he didn't serve there but his tour was on small boats and very abbreviated. Kerry claimed awards he should have been embarrassed about and did not earn. When he came back he began telling lies about real combat troops and became involved in the Winter Soldier. To this day his photo is in the People's War Museum in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) posted as some sort of honor (I've been there and seen it). Kerry is an absolute liar and a disgrace to the uniform he once wore. My guess is you've never even attempted to learn the real truth about Kerry.
How dare anyone ever claim service in-country when it's a lie. How dare he. Tomorrow I'm doing an escort for several Medal of Honor recipients dating back as far as WWII. These are heroes. This mayor (LIAR) needs to resign from public service. He needs to live a shamed and shunned life.
Thats right Ed! You tell them that I said thanks for their service. Means the world to me
NOW it is OK to lie about getting the Medal of Honor. The Court says their is nothing wrong with it.
About a year ago, I saw a homeless guy holding up a sign that read 'Please Help, Vietnam Vet, God Bless'. But here's the thing... he was about 30 years old. Either he served as an infant or he was just employing stage craft.
What was sickening was seeing all of the Iraq Vets Against the War showing up, giving testimony and then finding many had never served. Stolen valor is despicable.
Denial of awarded valor is despicable as well
@serpcom
Lies before Congress are despicable too. Thats what I hold against John Kerry. The "swiftboating" you refer too was a paid attack against a candidate but the peopel who testified against him were men that had served with him. You are right.. it is wrong.. but in many ways Kerry brought it on himself.
When you lie and give false testimony that the enemy uses against your own troops you are as despicable as a traitor.
Google Jesse Mcphee
You can't blame a guy for following custom an tradition.. Are we all forgetting this is the USA?
Lies all have one thing in common - they all come back to bite you in the arse at some point, so why lie in the first place?
Vietnam veteran is a phrase used to describe someone who served in the armed forces of participating countries during the Vietnam War.
The term has been used to describe veterans who were in the armed forces of South Vietnam, the United States armed forces, and countries allied to them, whether or not they were actually stationed in Vietnam during their service. The U.S. government officially refers to all as "Vietnam era veterans".
Republicans are terrific at assuming honor that was never theirs to take - then claiming themselves as the only true defenders of the US...
This is the effect that brain washing has on some people.
Guess you never bother looking into your own party. To bigoted and bias to see truth.
BTW.. Didn't Obama claim that his father served allied forces during WWII?
navyvet, he mistakenly said his father, when it was his grandfather on his mother's side who served in WWII, in Gen. Patton's army.
@ NavyVet98,
aren't you showing your own bigotry and bias when you regurgitate refuted claims against the President of the US???
IT is good to know that. I get them confused all the time Grandfather, Father. (sarcastic)
Obama was raised by his grandparents, therefore it is not unusual for someone to refer to his grandfather as his father when in fact his grandfather assumed that role. I refer to my stepfather as my dad. He wasn't my biological dad, but he considered me his son.
xvet
As a Viet Nam Vet I find it odd that anyone would claim they served our country in a war zone when in fact they did not serve in a war zone. Military service is a commitment to the country and potential service in a war zone comes with that commitment. I do not know Mayor John Spodofora, and frankly see no reason to know him.
Political parties are for the weak minded who can't think for themselves and only look to blame everyone else for the current problems.. Take ownership of this country and get rid of these fools who are destroying our great nation and and make it a nation of the people not of the parties.!
Hell...he's already from Jersey. That's worse than anything else he can admit to. He's a veteran so I'll cut him some slack. Just because he didn't get assigned to a certain place doesn't mean he didn't experience separation, hardship and sacrifice.
The mayor said most of his duty was "classified". That's your first tip right there he is lying! I have been in the military for almost 20 years. There may be classified missions, but there are no classified jobs..
No, his record shows that he was a cryptographer in the Navy and that information is highly classified. However, his record also shows that he could probably not even find Vietnam on a map.
What about the California politician who claimed to have twice been awarded the Medal of Honor. The Federal Court in San Francisco determined that it was protected under freedom of speech.
What are you talking about I know over 50 military people that all they do is secrete to top secrete. they handle it day in and day out.
I have to agree with Stpn2me...
The "job / position" isn't what is classified, it's the material that the "job / position" either handles, produces, or intercepts.
You also are not supposed to talk to people what you do. For example With my wife we have to communication one the phone,e-mail,letter, on the street, or around some one not born in this country. she can tell me her job and family but is not suppose to tell any one else.
Can you dembots stop blaming others for your short comings, Typical dembotic comment, it's the republicans fault!
OBAMA IS A LYING POS! SORRY YOU GUYS WERE FOOLED, BUT IT'S NOT THE REPUBLICANS FAULT
You're just angry that he's going to get re-elected. It's okay. You'll live.
I remember John Kerry lying about his experience also..I could go on about all those wonderful wanna be politicians and then we have Roosevelt with his love in the White House and Clinton with his puke!! I think I will stop before I make all the liberals/democrats mad
If Obummer is re-elected,I say the American people are crazy/lazy because they want all those freebies he's been giving out..The majority in this country are the ones that will not work when they can get something free..I think it is the minority that is carrying this country-that goes out every day and works,whether they are white,black,green or red.
Patriotic Girl... I think that you should engage your brain before inserting your foot into your mouth. If Obama is re-elected it does not mean that people are crazy/lazy, it means that he won more electoral college votes than the other candidate won just as he did in 2008. As far as the majority not working if they can get it for free, where are the numbers to support your theory. I do not believe that it is the minority that is carrying this country by any means. Although I have no numbers to support this I see the proof of my belief every morning on my way to work.
I really resent being called crazy/lazy because Obama is the President. I have worked since I was a child and have been at my current job 8 years so I don't fit your stereotype of crazy/lazy wanting freebies while living under the presidency of President Obama. A tiny bit of thought would have kept you from embarrassing yourself and probably making a lot of people angry with you.
Suzie, maybe you ought to consider taking your own advice.
I did not know Obama lied about having a military career.
No he didn't lie about that. It was her president that served but never went to any meetings or drills or training. Her guy was a "pretend soldier" that spent his time doing Coke and being wasted all the time. You can do that when your daddy is a politician.
Turdchaser (bird of a feather I guess), you are so full of B.S. and I love it when some lefty like you starts talking about military service like you know something about it. First of all Bush was a fighter pilot and he didn't become one by not attending his drills with the National Guard. All Guard and Reserve members are allowed to miss a certain percentage of drills with the only requirement being that they gather 50 points per year for a good year. There are many different arrangements made depending on your branch, MOS, and assignment. But a useful idiot such as yourself wouldn't know that would you?
You H Stowell Are a bold faced Liar.. You twist little bits of truth and lots of bits of lies to try and make Your addict president out to be some kind of HERO??? The truth is had he not been a Bush he would have been DISHONORABLY Discharged.
Fighter pilot my eye! He was a buffoon in the military and a Bigger Buffoon as a President. He stole an election with his brothers help and made us the laughing stalk of the world. You ignorant man.
Spew your hate and lies on someone Else's thread. Don't hook onto mine, I'm afraid someone will think you Don't make me sick!
Bush would not have been He fought in World War two with honor.
Turd, you can spew whatever you want because that's your right but factually you are full of SH__! Dishonorable discharge? A moron such as yourself doesn't even know what it takes to receive a dishonorable discharge. Like I said before, it's bothersome when some twit who has never served begins talking about the military and other people's service. I can't stop you but I can give the credit your opinion deserves which is 0, nothing, nil. You better stick to chanting "Yes we can."
Drill Baby Drill!!! Oh yeah H Stowell. I forgot to mention my 4 Tours in the middle East. I don't feel the need to brag about my service to my Country in all my posts. It is your thing obviously. Here I know what you are FISHING for...
THANKS for your service to us. We sleep good knowing what you have done for us... You are a Great and Brave man.. Thanks again!
Your silence speaks loudly H Stowell...