“Stolen Dick” Poe and the case of the Phantom CIB….
WELCOME MSNBC FOLKS! For the latest info on how this guy is lying, please CLICK HERE to go to the most recent update.
BRIEF UPDATE: The promotion to E6 was an innocent transcription error by others, not by Poe. Unfortunately for him, the promotion is the only thing that WOULDN’T violate the SVA.
Just a reminder of the ACTUAL RECORD:
Sgt. Timothy Michael Poe served in the Minnesota Army National Guard from Dec. 3, 2002 until May 26, 2011, and performed as a supply specialist.
His military records indicate that he served with the Minnesota National Guard in Kosovo from Oct. 10, 2007 until July 15, 2008, and was deployed to Afghanistan from July 28, 2009 to Aug. 30, 2009.
Sgt. Poe’s official military records do not indicate that he was injured by a grenade in combat while serving in Afghanistan in 2009, as he reports. The Minnesota National Guard can also confirm that he was not awarded the Purple Heart Medal for wounds sustained in combat.
Now, this guys real perfidy was taking in my friends at Defenders of Freedom, who had to put out this release last night:
Defenders of Freedom’s mission has always been to help meet the needs of our Troops. We strive to assure that our assistance is given to those who meet our giving criteria. Since being alerted about Tim Poe last week, we have been unable to substantiate his claims. We have reached out to him, but have been disappointed that he has been unwilling to talk with us. As a result, in the best interest of Defenders of Freedom, we have chosen to disassociate with him.
Defenders of Freedom thanks the men and women from the 114th Transportation Unit with the Minnesota National Guard who alerted us to the discrepancies in Tim’ story. We appreciate your service in Afghanistan and will remember the sacrifice of your fallen comrade, George Cauley.
Just remember that next time Jonathan Turley some random douche tells you that Stolen Valor is harmless lies that don’t hurt anyone. They hurt Defenders of Freedom, who could have allowed an actual wounded vet to take part in their activities.
Anyway, another friend found this picture from one of the DOF events, and it shows the wounded guys that were partaking, and their service. All the info on the bios is from self-reporting.
So, let’s blow up Poe’s background:
In case you can’t make it out….
* Purple Heart
* Bronze Star
* ARCOM with star*
* AAM with 3 stars*
* Combat Infantryman’s Badge (YOU SON OF A BITCH)
* Air Assault
* Kosovo (confirmed), Iraq x2 (nope) and Afghanistan x2 (32 days.)
* Post- ETS promotion from E5 to E6. (See update, transcription error)
But yeah, he was only lying to honor other wounded vets.
* See comments below, apparently dude is claiming like 6 and 8 medals. Honestly, I never got any stars on anything earned except the Reserve Components Training Medal and I don’t think I ever even wore it. I did get a few stars on my “Successfully lived through an Article 15″ award, but that might only be a state thing. Or maybe not even that.
UPDATE:
From another source:
Confirmed that Poe is the guy I was thinking of, he was in my battalion on ADOS orders same time as me. And this isn’t his first time getting caught lying on the record. He put his Jeep in the ditch after leaving a bar in 2008 and told the police he was on duty at the time to try to get workers comp to pay his medical bills.
He actually was injured in Afghanistan, but by falling off a truck at the MOB station and hurting his back. He reinjured himself in country (allegedly) which was why he left after a month. In that time he never left the wire. Typical faker, when told he was being given a medical discharge, he fought it saying he could still be in the Guard, he just couldn’t deploy….
Also, I can confirm that his MOS was 88M20 on the Astan deployment which makes me even more pissed about the CIB claim. The only other MOS he holds is 92Y20.
Poe was assigned to med hold on 24 April 2010 and released 08 April 2011.
From his You Served interview….
June 6th, 2012 at 8:43 am
Tim Poe, another “hero” that served in Makeshitupistan. Let’s see how bad that stu-stu-stutter gets when someone finally puts a well-deserved boot up his ass.
June 6th, 2012 at 8:49 am
You’d think even a dipshit like Poe would be able to list his fake awards in the correct order of precedence.
And WTF is an “ARCOM with star”??? Or an “AAM with 3 stars”???
“Poe’s a BF – evermore.”
June 6th, 2012 at 8:56 am
So is this now enough evidence to hit him with Stolen Valor? I’m sure Bubba in jail would love to have him serenade him with that purdy voice after a nice ass ramming.
June 6th, 2012 at 8:58 am
Tim “the stuttering serial fake” Poe?
June 6th, 2012 at 9:04 am
Could well be, JP – provided the SCOTUS upholds the SVA. The text of the statute makes it illegal to represent oneself, “verbally or in writing, to have been awarded any decoration or medal authorized by Congress for the Armed Forces of the United States, any of the service medals or badges awarded to the members of such forces, the ribbon, button, or rosette of any such badge, decoration, or medal, or any colorable imitation of such item.”
If that display is indeed based on Poe’s self-reporting of his military past, the youngster may well be in deep shit. Hopefully (1) the SCOTUS upholds the SVA, and (2) the US Attorney in San Antonio is either a vet or has friends/family who are.
June 6th, 2012 at 9:12 am
Again with the general arrogance. This clown actually served, but that was not enough. So, the lies compounded with the embellishments, and rubbing it in the noses of all the rest of us who served but were lucky enough to not be placed in positions where super duper hero status became necessary.
Victimless my everlovin’ arse.
June 6th, 2012 at 9:16 am
*SIGH* What is there to say?
June 6th, 2012 at 9:18 am
Hondo – Next date for SCOTUS to issue decisions is Monday, June 11. I’m hoping we’ll get the SV decision then. Texas, however, has one of the WORST track records for actually prosecuting SV Violations.
June 6th, 2012 at 9:20 am
The more that is uncovered, the more this punk turns into a shit stain of epic proportions. It is the ultimate in douchebaggery to place yourself in line for gifts/honors that could/should go to someone who actually deserves them. Someone that is supposed to be your brother/sister in arms. He has taken a big steaming dump on the honor and valor of those actually wounded in combat and those that work hard and give donations to groups that are trying to help the legitimate warriors out there.
IMO; wall to wall counseling or a blanket party are too mild of a punishment for this MFer. Sniper had a great idea for this type of douchebag, but I’m a little less lenient; I want them to have to do all they said they did and, if they survive, come home to nothing. No benefits, no honorable discharge, no awards, no promotions, nothing. They have already stolen the valor of others, so they can live the rest of their life knowing that they got absolutely nothing from it.
June 6th, 2012 at 9:29 am
Doug: I’m curious. Is Texas’ record bad on the Federal or state sides of the house? Or is it both?
June 6th, 2012 at 9:35 am
I’d love to see this retirement orders stating that he has a disability due to a combat injury as he stated in the radio show. Also, how does one get medevac’d to Germany, have a medical record that states that he was combat wounded, but not have orders for a PH?
June 6th, 2012 at 9:37 am
Hondo,
The Arcom has a silver oak leaf denoting six awards and the Achievement Medal has one silver and two bronze oak leafs denoting 8 awards. Those medals, represent a Currency of Honor, and for him to falsely attribute them to his legitimate service but phony accomplisments, relegates him to a lifetime of public scorn.
June 6th, 2012 at 9:40 am
He said that he had the awards displayed becasue “everyone there had something.” I’ll remember that the next time I’m the only Infantry officer at Benning with a CIB but no Ranger tab or jump wings. I’ll hit clothing sales and pick some up because every infantryman at Benning has something. Douche.
June 6th, 2012 at 9:43 am
Hondo, it is based on Federal Side. (I don’t think Texas yet has a STATE SV law, although more than a dozen states DO. We’ve had some of our WORST cases there, and only one ever prosecuted. Charles Bass duped a museum there with his DSC and PHs on display at the Buffalo Soldier Museum, and of course we had that phony General McMannus other there, among MANY others…never charged. Among these cases, in fact, was a former U.S. Attorney from Texas who was himself a Valor Thief (not-prosecutable as we learned of his fraud after his death). http://www.military.com/news/article/texas-revokes-late-senators-hero-status.html
June 6th, 2012 at 9:48 am
I’m going to need to update the blog when I get home with this latest. This guy is more repugnant than many of the others – mostly because they were clowns, and while disgusting in their own right, they were entertaining.
There’s nothing entertaining about this fetid sack of oozing dick drippings! Nothing!
He used America’s love and sympathy and respect for those who sustained injuries in defense of our nation to gain attention and fame. He appropriated honors that were not his. And he spit in the face of every service member who got injured on the job.
Fuck him hard with a tar-dipped cricket bat! I hope he kills himself. Slowly. With a rusty spork.
June 6th, 2012 at 9:53 am
Sad fact is, there have been veterans (even Active Duty) on AGT and other such shows in the past and audiences have always responded with respect for their service (thank RVN Vets for that…our Country learned from its mistakes.) Next time a vet shows up on one of these shows, I suspect the reaction may be quite different…all because of this phony. Once burned…twice shy. Victimless Crime? Poe has stolen the earned respect of all veterans by casting a pall of suspicion over ALL. Shouldn’t be that way but a fact of life.
June 6th, 2012 at 9:55 am
My bad, Bobo. Blew up the photo and took a second, closer look. Can’t be positive due to the poor resolution – but best I can tell, you’re correct.
TSO: I think you might need to revise the part of the article dealing with the ARCOM and AAMs. The asshole appears to be claiming even more than you state – though he does actually seem to have used the right devices (OLCs vice stars).
June 6th, 2012 at 9:56 am
Above commentators are correct: the Navy uses “stars” on their medals to denote additional awards. Those are oakleaf clusters (OLC) you see above… and indeed, as the colors indicate, we are to believe he has 8 AAMs and 6 ARCOMs… plus the BSM and the PH and CIB.
How many years service does he have? What’s that work out to per year? Maybe he was the additional-duty awards clerk, ha ha… (not disparaging awards clerks, I was a BN S1 once and that kind of thing takes a lot of tedious work to keep up properly).
June 6th, 2012 at 9:58 am
Doug: I’m surprised somewhat to hear that about TX. Outside of Austin and Houston, I had the impression that TX is generally more supportive of the military than most other states. Perhaps I was wrong.
June 6th, 2012 at 10:01 am
He was injured, but by falling off a truck rather than an RPG.
June 6th, 2012 at 10:01 am
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/talented_liar_dEG81EH8MkLd30jbOGfx8I
He’s national.
June 6th, 2012 at 10:03 am
Hondo, I tend to think of Texas as being more “military friendly” than most states. Perhaps that is why we have so many SV cases there…but they are reluctant to enforce SV violations. (Ironically, The People’s Republic of California has been the most aggressive state in terms of prosecuting SV imposters.) Of course, that is all on the Federal Side. In defense of Texas, I will note that when we found 14 of 67 Texas issued “Legion of Valor” license plates were to phonies, TxDoT dealt with it in admirable fashion and promptly. That said however, the phony Navy Cross recipient that brought the problem to light, was never charged. In fact, a REAL Navy Cross recipient to uncovered the phony, when pressing the issue, was told to “back off and don’t make waves.” (The Phony was a TSA employee)
June 6th, 2012 at 10:18 am
The only stars I know authorized for a US Army Federal Award is the NDSM.
June 6th, 2012 at 10:22 am
Doug, the phony being a govenment employee (at any level, whether local, state or federal) is all the MORE reason to press the issue!
June 6th, 2012 at 10:22 am
Doug,
Didn’t Food Network get fooled by an embellisher who had been a Marine on Next Food Network Star on one of the early seasons?
June 6th, 2012 at 10:24 am
Spent most of my 24 on the flightline, so my hearing’s bad, too. When I watched the AGT video I swear I heard him pronounce his name “Pogue.”
June 6th, 2012 at 10:29 am
Doug it’s just sad we are spending time on the anniversary of D-Day dealing with this tool. We should be honoring the real heroes…….of course wasn’t it on D-Day last year that I contacted you about a guy claiming he stormed the beach Normandy, while also claiming to be part of the famed Easy Company of the 101st Airborne?
http://thisainthell.us/blog/?p=25689
June 6th, 2012 at 10:29 am
JQ: I vaguely remember that but no details. We’ve had several in various reality shows, including this BIG one by Mary Schantag regarding Lamar Odom’s father’s appearance, in which he blamed all his problems on Vietnam and PTSD: http://www.nationalenquirer.com/celebrity/exclusive-khloe-lamar-secret-shame-lies-my-father-told-me
June 6th, 2012 at 10:31 am
Fuck. This. Guy.
June 6th, 2012 at 10:41 am
TSO
The oak leaf on the ARCOM and one on the AAM look silver not bronze. For those that are not familer with this the silver represents five awards not one.
So he would have 6 ARCOMs and 8 AAMS by what I see.
June 6th, 2012 at 10:41 am
Did anyone else notice that his douche bag promoted himself. The Defenders of Freedom posters shows him to be a staff Sergeant, and the Minnesota National Gaurd refers to him as a Sergeant.
June 6th, 2012 at 10:49 am
@31 – I thought I read somewhere that he was actually promoted to SFC. Or am I smoking something?
June 6th, 2012 at 10:49 am
making more national headlines. this is front page (on the news slides) on yahoo.com
http://tv.yahoo.com/news/is–america-s-got-talent–breakout-star-tim-poe-a-fraud-.html
June 6th, 2012 at 10:56 am
So what about other venues? Was that show recorded in Las Vegas or New Jersey? If so, maybe one of those prosecutors could go after him. Or if he mailed in an application, maybe a RICO prosecution? That might hold up even if SV is overturned…
June 6th, 2012 at 10:57 am
TSO
I think you meant to say Oak Leaf cluster rather the Stars. Because I think only the Navy and Marines use Stars for additional awards for decorations.
June 6th, 2012 at 10:59 am
If Howard Stern is so upset about this, maybe he should devote some airtime on his show to educating the public about how prevalent, and how serious, this duping of the Public is. His statement, which is a good one especially considering the source, indicates he understands the implications of the doubt cast on REAL wounded warriors and veterans by Poe. The American Public needs to be informed that this goes on all the time, far more prevalent than “some random douche” (almost identified above) has tried to make the public believe.
June 6th, 2012 at 11:01 am
SGT E: Venue doesn’t matter. SV is a FEDERAL case, so if it happens ANYWHERE (except in the states covered by the 9th Circus Court), the SV Act is at least for now, still the law of the land. Of course all that could change in the next couple weeks. But this IS a clear cut case of Stolen Valor, and Prosecutable.
June 6th, 2012 at 11:06 am
Doug,
Roger that – but earlier comments said that TX prosecutors are lax about enforcing it. I was just wondering if perhaps some other prosecutor could claim jurisdiction to bring the federal case. Or is it that anyone, including an enterprising Idaho prosecutor, could bring a case?
June 6th, 2012 at 11:19 am
[...] TSO at This Ain’t Hell has come up with even more proof of Tim Poe’s total bullshit story including this [...]
June 6th, 2012 at 11:26 am
Doug,
I found this: http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2007/06/military_garcia_foodnetwork_070612/
June 6th, 2012 at 11:26 am
OMG, please someone go over there and beat this commenter Jeremy douchebag with a clue bat!
I can’t currently find words strong enough!
http://thelibertyzone.wordpress.com/2012/06/05/tim-poe-how-dare-you/comment-page-1/#comment-5681
He says: He is on a talent competition, not a morality competition. He DID serve time in Afghanistan though if you paid attention.
June 6th, 2012 at 11:37 am
I’m thinking that unless the feds in Texas want to look REALLY bad, they’ve got no choice but to prosecute this shitheel.
Unca Shuga is sloth-like in pretty much everything, but once you have their attention, woe be unto those who have pissed off the powers that be.
June 6th, 2012 at 11:49 am
I was involved in creating the mini posters for the Soldiers in the above photo. I did not work on Poe’s. However, he did report Purple Heart, Bronze Star, ARCOM with 1 Silver Oak Leaf Cluster, AAM with 1 Silver and 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters along with the CIB, etc.
His information came to us late into the night/early morning hours before the event. We are checking to see if he told us he was a SSG or if we made an error there.
I am NOT attempting to protect this jackwagon. I’m just saying that we are checking to see if the rank was what he told us or if we made an error there. It is our understanding that his rank should be listed as SGT
June 6th, 2012 at 11:54 am
I knew him when he was in the MN National Guard, this would have been after his deployment in Kosovo. He was a supply specialist at the time, I do believe that he had earned the Air Assult, don’t quote me, since I cannot truly remember if he had that on his uniform at the time or not.
I am not here to defend his actions, I do truly believe he needs to be investigated for stolen Valor and I would hope that America Got’s Talent would issue a statement here in the next few hours and show support to us, Service Veterans that understand, unless you have it awarded to you, you don’t have it!
June 6th, 2012 at 12:37 pm
I just hate that I cringe every time I see a soldier on any show now. It shouldn’t be that way…fucktards like this suck.
June 6th, 2012 at 1:14 pm
You know how many soldiers get out with medical due to “Hurt back”? I used to hear that all the time from people around post that it is the easiest thing to fake since there is no real way to prove you aren’t hurt ( this was around 2004 so the technology might be here now ). Is it illegal to ask for his address in San Antonio? I am heading there in July to take my family to Sea World, I would love to let me 3 year old kick him in the nuts (if he has any)
June 6th, 2012 at 1:35 pm
It hit ArmyTimes:
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2012/06/ap-guard-tim-poe-americas-got-talent-combat-injury-record-060612/
June 6th, 2012 at 1:44 pm
Tall Tale Tim strikes again, that what we’ve been calling him ever since he showed up in Texas in 1996. Native Texan my a**. I believe he was born in CA. raised in La.
June 6th, 2012 at 2:07 pm
Waiting to see when news reports have to clarify quotes from the X-Wives Club…”According to Poe’s 1st Ex-Wife….” “Poe’s 2d Ex-wife notes that…”…and is there possibly a THIRD (not counting the fiancee)?
June 6th, 2012 at 3:33 pm
If Obama had a son, he’d lie like Tim Poe
June 6th, 2012 at 3:41 pm
I emailed Craig Civale (ccivale@wfaa.com) at WFAA in Dallas, who was the reporter on the original bullshit story where Poe claimed to have been shot in Iraq, and asked if he planned to do a follow-up on his lying ass. I also called the station to see if I could get any info from anyone over the phone, but they put me on hold for 15 minutes so I just hung up.
I would encourage others to email Mr. Civale as well, and perhaps he will give Mr. Poe some more of the attention he so obviously craves.
June 6th, 2012 at 3:55 pm
Interesting story with headling “I’m Not a F-F-F-FRAUD!” over at TMZ: http://www.tmz.com/2012/06/06/americas-got-talent-timothy-poe-stutter-fraud/
EXERPTS of INTEREST:
** Poe tells TMZ, the fact that there is no record of the incident is a common problem — one that Poe says is endemic when it comes to reporting soldiers’ injuries in Afghanistan.
**Tim says he plans to sue his ex-wife and several others for telling the media he was lying.
June 6th, 2012 at 4:07 pm
When the “lible-slander lawer” threat comes out it usually means that he knows the gig is up, right?
Way to man up, ignitz!
June 6th, 2012 at 4:09 pm
It’s on MSN, also.
June 6th, 2012 at 4:09 pm
Depends on who the “several others” are he referred to. Maybe he wants to own TAH.
June 6th, 2012 at 4:14 pm
@55: LOL!!! Nice reference, Doug!! I’m smiling while typing waiting for Jonn to put out his usual disclaimer (something about county courthouse at 0900, line forms to the left or something like that). heh, heh, heh
June 6th, 2012 at 4:16 pm
I just couldn’t resist that one. Hope it puts a smile, if only briefly, on John’s face.
June 6th, 2012 at 4:17 pm
I went over to your TMZ link and voted. It’s running 61% BS and 39% legit right now.
June 6th, 2012 at 4:18 pm
So he says he’s gonna file lawsuits. Good for him. Someone oughta refer him to the same “lawer” that Ronad “Mailman” said he was gonna use.
June 6th, 2012 at 4:20 pm
What gets me is that everyone is ignoring his other video interview where he claims to have been shot in the leg in Iraq and shows the scar. That claimis BLATENTLY and obviously a lie…which destroys any credibility in anything the man says thereafter.
But, there is a sucker (or 39% of them anyway) born every minute.
June 6th, 2012 at 4:21 pm
That was an amusing link, Doug. Some of the comments are hilarious. Thanks for sharing.
In other news, even our local talk radio station got sucked into the embarrassment. They were innocently commenting (favorably) about this story yesterday and today corrected the story. But, they actually made it into a learning experience.
Maybe there will be more public awareness come from this?
June 6th, 2012 at 4:23 pm
@ #58 We must be having an impact – when I voted a couole of minutes before you it was 60-40.
June 6th, 2012 at 4:33 pm
So Poe-boy is gonna file a lawsuit, eh? Don’t think he really wants to do that. In a lawsuit, they have this thing called “discovery”. And that’s done under oath, which means lying during discovery is not a good idea.
And correct me if I’m wrong, TSO – but I don’t believe Poe is immune from being deposed by opposing counsel in a civil suit.
June 6th, 2012 at 4:44 pm
Seems we got a mention for the image of his false awards and also seems like his audio interview is getting around too.
http://theclicker.today.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/06/06/12088062-americas-got-talent-singer-admits-to-claiming-military-medals-he-didnt-earn?lite
June 6th, 2012 at 4:44 pm
Seems to me that if this chimp was going to lie about decorations, he’d shoot higher than a fistful AAMs and ARCOMs. Heck, aim for a couple of Silver Stars, a Distinguished Service Medal and . . . ah, heck a Legion of Merit! And why not some Jumpmaster wings while you’re at it?
There are awards I was put in for, but never got orders for — and guess what? I don’t lie about them. Since I’m no longer in uniform, if I happen to wear a suit to work on Veterans’ Day, the only miniatures I wear are the ones I EARNED AND HAVE ORDERS FOR. Seems like Chimpy here could stand to follow that example.
Finally, truth is an ABSOLUTE defense in defamation cases. If Chimpy decides to bring civil suits, I think he will find that his shyster attorneys will drop him like a hot M-60 barrel right in the middle of the depositions.
June 6th, 2012 at 4:50 pm
When are posers gonna come up with different MO’s? First the “if I ignore it, it’ll go away”, then they deny they’re lying/accuse everyone else of lying, then they have a reason their records are incomplete, that always followed by a reason they can’t provide them and then the inevitable “I’m gonna sue”! C’mon guys, use some originality!
June 6th, 2012 at 5:32 pm
I am not a service member, but I support all your comments completely, and with much respect. My father and father-in-law served in the ETO just after D-Day, and my uncle-in-law is a Pearl Harbor survivor. This is a day for remembrance, honor and respect.
Keep at it…and, Thank you, all.
June 6th, 2012 at 5:38 pm
I agree what Doug said (#36) said. I hope Howard DOES do an interview with Poe.
tim Poe had his 15 minutes of Fame. Fame of Shame.
Here are Howard Stern’s comments:
As of late Tuesday night, NBC had “no comment” on the story, but Howard Stern had plenty to say Wednesday morning.
“You could be the most f***ed up liar on the planet, but you never lie about your military service,” said Stern. “It messes it up for every real veteran who comes back from the war. Now no one believes you…This lie is so wrong on so many levels…This really sickens me…What as this guy thinking, that he was never going to be discovered?…I want to interview this guy so badly.”
Stern says that he fell hard for Poe’s sob story:
“They didn’t even show my whole speech to him…I thought I was about to lose it and cry for the guy. That’s how upset I was for him.”
June 6th, 2012 at 5:43 pm
[...] for those wounded while serving, and a Bronze Star, which is awarded for bravery or acts of merit. The blog This Ain’t Hell displays a blown-up photograph of that poster, which also shows other medals, including the Combat Infantryman’s [...]
June 6th, 2012 at 5:47 pm
News…also see his other video (referenced in TAH’s other page on him) where he told a reporter he was shot in the leg in Iraq and even displayed his bullet wound. Catch him in one big lie (and we KNOW he never set foot in Iraq) and all further credibility is gone. http://www.wfaa.com/news/local/Charity-helps-disabled-veterans-get-back-into-the-workforce-155855655.html
June 6th, 2012 at 6:06 pm
@51 – Scott
Please know the whole story before being upset with Craig Civale. As I understand it Mr. Civale (who is a huge supporter of troops and organization who assist them) had requested to interview a Veteran who had been assisted in finding a job via Defenders of Freedom. Mr. Poe was the only Veteran at the golf outing that had been assisted in getting a job (which he subsequesntly quit by-the-way). That is why Mr. Poe was interviewed for the story.
At the time of the taping of that interview neither Defenders of Freedom nor Mr. Civale knew any of this that has come out about Mr. Poe. Just like the rest of you the past day or so has been beyond eye opening about this situation.
I do not know Mr. Civale personally but I do know the back ground on this. I’d ask you to give some leeway here as everyone who has been duped figures out the best way forward.
Thank you.
June 6th, 2012 at 6:11 pm
PC: I have no problem with Mr. Civale…I’ve seen hundreds of other reporters duped. I raise this video because there are those who will “buy” Poe’s story of his wounding in Afgh believing (perhaps justly) the the military is lax in reporting. But there is NO WAY to believe Poe was shot in Iraq, so this one interview is the absolute best evidence the man is a liar. Then, last night he admitted to CJ he lied about his BSM/PH. There are two lies either obvious or admitted to…which should allay any leeway we might tend to give in regards to his other claims.
I DO WISH Mr. Civale would do a follow-up/correction however. When journalists make a mistake, they need to own up to it and correct the record.
June 6th, 2012 at 6:15 pm
TMZ’s votes now stand at 62% BS, 38% true.
June 6th, 2012 at 6:16 pm
[...] and fraudulently claiming he had a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star at a Defenders of Freedom event (more at TAH), because everyone over there had something, and he was feeling inadequate. But then, at 124:24, [...]
June 6th, 2012 at 6:19 pm
Poe, (He does not even deserve to be called SGT), is a complete liar of the very worst kind. Unfortunately I have known him for years while stationed with B Company, Wounded Warriors, BAMC. He was IN FACT sent back to the states for a minor injury due to a training exercise. He injured, and re-injured his back while taking Karate lessons so that he could receive increased amounts of pain medication. He is in fact a junkie, on top of a liar. He last roommate was a close friend of mine and the stories he told me about Poes misuse of narcotics, to include the purchase of Heroin in downtown SA, completely blows my mind.
To claim that he in fact THREW HIMSELF on top of his friends so that they would not be casualties when a grenade went off is pathetic, and a horrible insult to those who do in fact shield their friends and pay the ultimate price in doing so.
The FAKE stutter, yes FAKE, is solely used when he wants attention, or someone to feel sorry for him as he did on Americas Got Talent. After three and a half years in the same Battalion, I have NEVER heard him stutter before the airing of Mondays program.
Many private donations are made to the Warrior and Family Support Center to help families of Wounded Soldiers, and many weekend trips are also provided. Purple Heart recipient, combat supply Sergeant Poe, never missed one of those trips even when it meant a double amputee couldn’t attend due to lack of space. During these outings Poe has the audacity to tell everyone how he saved the lives of other Soldiers, was injured by a grenade, blah, blah, and blah.
His family should be absolutely ashamed of his behavior. There are true heroes out there and he is far from being one of them. Then there’s his girlfriend standing beside him like she really believes the crap that continues to come out of his mouth. Wake up miss girlfriend and get a grip on what’s really going on or do you enjoy riding on the lying hero bus too?
Poe, you need to look up some military regulations real quick and in a hurry and realize the amount of trouble you’re in. Trouble you wont be able to lie out of this time around.
Because of the pain you’ve caused REAL SOLDIERS, I hope you rot in Leavenworth while you attend to Bubba’s every need and desire.
A true and grateful Soldier.
P.S. Be grateful I am now at an overseas assignment or I would pay you a visit myself.
June 6th, 2012 at 6:39 pm
@Parachute Cutie: I didn’t mean to impugn Mr. Civale, and I think I was diplomatic in my email to him. But like Doug, I want to make him aware, if he isn’t already, and give him a chance to set the record straight for the benefit of his viewers and us as veterans. One tenet of the code of ethics of the Society of Professional Journalists is accountability, and it implores journalists to “Encourage the public to voice grievances against the news media” and “Admit mistakes and correct them promptly.” It’s a strictly voluntary code – adherence isn’t professionally mandated – but I would hope someone such as Mr. Civale, who according to his biography has received awards for investigative reporting, would take such matters seriously and do honor to his profession.
June 6th, 2012 at 6:45 pm
Well, kudos to the Minnesota Guard for getting on top of this. When the story broke last night, they had him, dead to rights. The medals he claimed–that’s just amazing. Amazing.
He claimed the CIB? And a Bronze Star? And he lives, like we all do, in the modern age of computers and whatnot?
Criminally stupid meets tore up from the floor up. Nice work if you can get it.
June 6th, 2012 at 6:49 pm
(probably already thought of, but I did not read all the comments, yet)
Perhaps the resident lawyers here judge this too obvious, but:
Does The Attorney General Of The United States — make a difference concerning the Federal Prosecutors in the various States (U.S. Attorneys) ??
Perhaps The Attorney General is waiting for The supreme Court (capitalization and absence of — U.S. Constitution).
June 6th, 2012 at 7:06 pm
Scott and Doug,
I just found out that Mr. Civale is out of town on vacation but has been notified of the situation. The news station is going to air an update tonight at 10:00 Central time and Mr. Civale is going to address it further when he gets back.
June 6th, 2012 at 7:08 pm
@77 – Mr. Street
It is because of the Minnesota National Guard and a few other sources that TSO on this blog is the one who broke this story yesterday morning. The major media outlets are not giving him credit for the story but he IS the one who broke it.
June 6th, 2012 at 7:25 pm
Cutie – Thanks for that update on Mr. Civale. Actually, I’m quite thankful for his earlier piece…IMHO it is the single-most striking example of what a fraud this guy is, as well as how good he is at creating tears. REally puts his AGT appearance into context.
RE: @77 – The reason John gets so darn much good work done is because he doesn’t worry about who gets the credit for it. Still, I agree it would be nice if some of those out there would give him the credit he deserves.
June 6th, 2012 at 8:14 pm
I finally made myself watch the “AGT” video of this turd. He needs to be hung by his scrawny little balls.
June 6th, 2012 at 9:38 pm
This bitch is done: msn,rickey,yahoo,ap,nypost,agtnews, and so on are all carrying the story. Great job, you guys who got the story out!
June 6th, 2012 at 10:48 pm
I think one of the ladies mention earlier that posers, like SoupSandwich and Gunny Driveway, at least had some comedic value. This f*cktard wants us to believe he got an ARCOM or AAM every SEVEN MONTHS, THREE WEEKS! Or better still, he was awarded or earned something every SIX MONTHS, TWO & ONE-HALF WEEKS! Even Audie Murphy wasn’t that good!?
What’s saddest is he’s BUSTED, B-U-S-T-E-D, BUSTED and he won’t quit embarrassing himself, his Fiancé, his kids and the rest of his family. I’m so glad my late father raised me, “As long as you have your name and your word, you have everything”. This c*m-bucket has neither. Everyone who knows him, unless they’re deaf or blind, knows what he is. For the rest of his life they’ll know what he is. It must suck to be him.
June 6th, 2012 at 11:28 pm
You know, I was thinking about him getting hit with an RPG but no Purple Heart… I, too, was hit by an RPG when I was deployed overseas, back when I was in the Army. I didn’t get a Purple Heart for it, either.
(disclaimer… I was stationed in Germany, during peacetime, and the RPG was a Dungeons and Dragons manual that my friend threw to me but I didn’t catch)
June 6th, 2012 at 11:44 pm
Story from WFAA tonight at this link
http://www.wfaa.com/video?id=157676135&sec=552897&ref=rcvidmod
June 7th, 2012 at 12:18 am
I’m grateful that Stolen Valor is finally getting exposure like this. The Supreme Court decision with the Stolen Valor Act hasn’t been decided yet but having Poe bring it to the forefront of America’s limited attention span could help. Perhaps journalists and the like will learn how a SF FORM 180 can prevent embarrassments like this in the future.
June 7th, 2012 at 12:35 am
Apparently he’s s-s-s-ticking to his story and threatening a l-l-l-aws-s-s-uit for l-l-l-l-libels-s-s-lander.
June 7th, 2012 at 1:04 am
Is there any way someone who knows what they are looking at can take a look at the records WFAA has? A line of duty injury is a lot different than a combat wound. Every significant injury I’ve sustained while in the military has been declaired LOD, none were combat related. The DD-214 seems to show the typical stuff for more than 30 days in Afghanistan, but not enough is visible to see if the nature of teh discharge/retirement is there.
June 7th, 2012 at 1:44 am
I ain`t read it yet. Comments,That is. I`ll bookmark it.Read it on a rainy dreary day.With a couple pots of coffee.
Damn I HATE these, PUNKS..
Pissin me,Right the F— Off !!!!
And It fakes alot to get my dander up.
June 7th, 2012 at 1:46 am
Last line should read.
And it takes alot to get my dander up.
June 7th, 2012 at 2:55 am
[...] for those bleeding while serving, and a Bronze Star, that is awarded for aplomb or acts of merit. The blog This Ain’t Hell displays a blown-up sketch of that poster, that also shows other medals, including the Combat Infantryman’s [...]
June 7th, 2012 at 7:00 am
From the MSNBC link: “When asked if he could give names of fellow vets who might support his story, he said “I really wish I could remember them and I really wish they would come out.”"
Really? He can’t remember the names of anybody he was supposedly in combat with?
June 7th, 2012 at 7:29 am
@93: That’s because of the TBI he caught when passing through med hold, according to what he said to TMZ. He says he doesn’t remember their names or can provide the paperwork to any of it because of his TBI.
June 7th, 2012 at 7:51 am
I’m pretty disappointed in the WFAA piece; I hope that is not the extent of the follow-up they’re planning to do. Ask this dick some hard questions about why there’s no record of him going to Iraq or getting shot either. Publish the documents he gave you. C’mon, guys, REPORT!
June 7th, 2012 at 8:13 am
Guys like this just piss me off to no end. What a slap in the face to those of us who were really injured in Iraq or Afghanistan. Narcissistic people like Poe need to be placed in a special prison. One that allows honest veterans to volunteer as guards.
I have a TBI as a result of friendly fire in Iraq. I don’t go around saying I was injured by the enemy or that I have a PH. I don’t need that attention. But guys like this are simply missing that part of the human nature which tells us to be honest men and women and to earn our respect through our actions and not our words. This young man could of easily earned respect by volunteering his time assisting fellow veterans. Instead, he decided to make a mockery of organizations devoted to helping veterans. Assholes like this guy only make it more difficult for those veterans who are seeking assistance for honest-to-God problems to receive that assistance.
June 7th, 2012 at 8:46 am
Something I not read or seen is if he gets caught in his lie witch seams like he has and he is receiving VA benifits for his issues that he faked he had could he have to pay back or do jail Time for that
June 7th, 2012 at 10:15 am
Even the photo used of Poe in combat on AGT is a Lie!
Did he supply this image to the show?
The Press has used it in many stories in the past few days.
It’s shown on this page also.
the Image is of U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Norman Bone
There’s a link on this page for a HR Image.
http://www.defense.gov/photos/newsphoto.aspx?newsphotoid=8541
June 7th, 2012 at 10:22 am
@96:
You nailed it. Great post.
June 7th, 2012 at 11:37 am
Throw this faggot in prison!
June 7th, 2012 at 3:33 pm
I hope for the positive, by this Valor Vulture getting busted on a national television show it will bring this serious crime against Vets and Service men and women to the forefront and push the Supreme court off their asses and quit petting people like this and make it a felony crime punishable by prison and fines, to date it is all just a smack in the face to all those who have served honorably and to those who have died defending our nation and constitution…… I hope that they let him walk out on stage, stand there a minute, don’t let him sing, and just tell him “NO” and then tell him why as he gets “booed” off the stage….fitting end to his musical career….
June 7th, 2012 at 9:54 pm
Here’s the website for the band Tim Poe’s doctor told him to form years before he started stuttering. http://webpages.charter.net/crawlspace/bio.htm The guy’s an unbelievable creep.
June 7th, 2012 at 10:12 pm
93 Spade: He’s changed his story at least once. He originally said his back was broken when an RPG hit his vehicle. Now he’s changed his story and says it happened after he volunteered for hero duty and saw a guy with a launcher. According to Tim, he thought nothing for his own safety and rushed to cover his “guys” from the blast. What a hero. This jerk is a championship bullshitter. http://www.wfaa.com/news/Charity-helps-disabled-veterans-get-back-into-the-workforce-155855655.html
June 7th, 2012 at 10:16 pm
Doug, I make every effort to give Jon and the people here props at my blog and on my Web site. The problem is, well, we are small potatoes.
I still think the bigger story is why he felt the need to lie in the first place. What he did, if true, is awful but why? That’s what I want to know.
June 8th, 2012 at 3:23 am
So much for the Army Values.
Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless-Service, Honor, Integrity. Personal Courage
I’m not sure how a human being could be devoid of all of these things, but he has managed it.
June 8th, 2012 at 9:37 am
This loser could only dream of being a War Hero. Lie to the public and sending in a picture of a person that looks like him, you cant get any lower. Then his girl friend seems like she beleave him. To her, everyplace you go people will reconize you and tag you as a LOSER just like your boy friend.
June 8th, 2012 at 9:38 am
I wonder if he got the stutter after he fell off the truck an not by the RPG?
June 8th, 2012 at 9:38 am
This loser could only dream of being a War Hero. Lie to the public and sending in a picture of a person that looks like him, you can’t get any lower. Then his girl friend seems like she beleave him. To her, everyplace you go people will reconize you and tag you as a LOSER just like your boy friend.
June 8th, 2012 at 10:10 am
In a year this will all be firgotten and Tim Poe will get on with his life. I suggest you get on with yours.
June 8th, 2012 at 10:54 am
When I saw him on AGT I was really hoping this guy was for real. But as someone who was in 20 years ago with the 82nd. I am really disappointed he would’ve taken it that far. Most everyone I know “embellishes” a little bit but not to the point of faking an injury and commendations. To claim a CIB when you haven’t earned one really insults those who earned it. I wish I’d had one, I know I earned it because I was right there with the infantry. But my MOS didn’t rate one (95B) at the time, and in the end I’m ok with that. We’ll forget about him in public, but it will make us more wary of those who DID earn these commendations and that’s the real injustice in my book.
June 8th, 2012 at 11:03 am
Gallagher Fan-yes, most of America will forget this douche. But we won’t and that’s what matters. All he had to do was go on the show and say “I was hurt in Afghanistan and had to medically retire from the service” (all of which would have been reasonably enough true and would have gotten him the credit he was after) but instead he had to make himself more than he is. Whatever you may think of that, most of us here believe that such behavior is way out of bounds and we intend to make sure he doesn’t benefit from it.
June 9th, 2012 at 5:41 pm
Check into it a bit further and everyone will realize he was never in Kosovo either… Stay back Supply in Rochester, MN during that whole deployment….
June 10th, 2012 at 10:27 am
HA: FOIAs are enroute to and/or in-process at both NPRC and the MN ARNG. We’ll see if either comes back showing he served in Bosnia.
June 11th, 2012 at 12:50 am
I saw the performance on AGT … I am a woman and was crying along with everyone else. I thought “what a sad story, but hopefully with a wonderful ending”. After learning what happened and reading all the above comments I am absolutely appalled at what he has done. How dare he? Every single time I pass someone who even “appears to be” in the military I ask them…..and I tell each and every one “thank you for your service”! And I mean it! My Father was a Marine and we were taught to trust, respect and admire our servicemen. We were taught to thank our troops for what they have done. While I don’t understand all the acronyms mentioned in the above posts, I hope that he is prosecuted for all of the false claims and lies about the awards he “received”. To each of you on here (and those that aren’t) I thank you dear servicemen and women for keeping me safe at home. I have a life threatening illness which will eventually kill me…but at least I will die in a land where I don’t have to dodge bullets, grenades, tanks, etc. like you do! And that is because of all of you! Thank you for your service! And if you are ever in San Diego, let me know and you’ve got a nice, hot home cooked meal waiting for you!!! grammadede@hotmail.com
June 13th, 2012 at 2:37 pm
Actually, the devices are not stars, they are Oak Leaf Clusters. On the Army Commendation Medal (ACM) he has one Silver Oak Leaf device; on the Army Achievement Medal (AAM), he has one Silver and two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters. The claim is that he was awarded the ACM six times and the AAM eight times; all for merit and none for valor since there are no V (valor) devices. That’s a total of 14 merit decorations over a 20 year career, a significant part of which was in the reserves. Though not impossible, it’s unbelievable for an Army Staff Sergeant. For merit, none of the 14 awards, except maybe the last one, can overlap their time periods for which service was meritorious enough for those awards. They are much more difficult to earn while in reserve status. That means he would have been decorated for meritorious service about once every year over 14 years to about once every year and three months over 20 years. To do that once or twice is rare. To do that 14 times in one career strains credulity. A person with that much merit in service would have been justifiably and certainly submitted for a Meritorious Service Medal (the non-combat equivalent of a Bronze Star Medal), or, although highly unlikely unless it were incredibly exceptional merit in a position of exceptional responsibility, the Legion of Merit, for the sum total of the career achievement and awarded at retirement. How he would have been that meritorious without being promoted beyond Staff Sergeant or being given a Warrant Commission lacks credibility.
I have an Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM) with First Oak Leaf Cluster. I accumulated two AFCMs over four years of active enlisted service immediately after the Vietnam era, a relatively quiet but very tense cold-war era. For my time in service and rank, two AFCMs without at least one for valor was rare. I can tell you that I was the only junior enlisted person (E-4/NCO) on the AFB with two. When I made E-5, there were a couple of others my rank around with two, although they had been in the service in a lot longer. I had to carry a copy of the orders with me to defend wearing the service ribbon because it was justifiably challenged all the time by junior officers who knew it strained credulity, especially when the first one was without accompanying Good Conduct Medal or Longevity Service Award ribbons. BTW, most of them thanked or offered appreciation for the service when they read the orders. I came to appreciate that some officers were willing to challenge what they thought was stolen valor (in this case, merit). The false claims Poe made have him doing what I did at about twice my rate and for 20 years continuously. Simply put, it is an outrageous claim to uniquely meritorious service and Poe’s falsehood merits the disgrace it has resoundingly earned.
June 13th, 2012 at 4:08 pm
If Timmy “Pinhead” Poe had simply gone on AGT for the audition and tried out, he’d have gotten just as much applause. He had a nice voice. But he couldn’t keep his big, fat, stupid mouth shut, could he?
I’ve competed in horse shows and ice skating. No one has ANY sympathy for you if your horse quits at a fence or you take a fall in a short program. Tough luck, you lose, stop whining.
Histrionic personality disorder is how a shrink labeled Jerry Sandusky, the alleged pedophile currently standing trial in Pennsylvania. It describes someone who has a craving need to be the center of attention all the time, no matter the cost, especially to other people. And there is no pill to cure it.
Timmy Poe, on the other hand, said he thinks he has PTSD, which means he doesn’t know what PTS is or how it works.
I think it’s fair to say his days of puffing himself off and conning people are pretty much over with. I doubt anyone will even believe he actually did the singing on that audition.
June 13th, 2012 at 5:25 pm
@Ex-PH2 – Yup! Poe has enough singing talent to do well at it if he just hadn’t lied about his military career. He’s very typical of some vets I’ve met who were in rear-echelon support jobs, such as postal, clerical, logistics or supply roles during Vietnam, some in Vietnam, but who make all kinds of false claims about being Rangers, Green Berets, Navy Seals, some special forces type or former POW with all kinds of significant decorations, none of which are true. Instead, the realities are that they adequately performed in non-glamorous jobs and, after returning, realized that they had little to show for their average performance. They desparately want the recognition and value significant earned decorations have for others, who did heroic and valorous acts or gave or made distinguished meritorious service or achievements, sometimes with distinction. The military doesn’t just recognize combat, gallantry, valor or heroism. It also recognizes a large range of achievements and service ranging from outstanding to uniquely meritorious with dinstinction. Anyone in the military can earn at least some kind of recognition for meritorious achievements and service. It just takes the will to achieve and serve beyond your ordinary honorable duty. One may have to ignore the criticism and ostracism from peers who don’t see merit in and can’t stand to see anyone else get credit for being better than ordinary. One of the lessons from Poe is that the time to be better than ordinary is always the present time. Another lesson from Poe is that history is too late to change, but there is always the future. Poe could have truthfully characterized his honorable service, his service related injury(ies) and his discharge for them and received his just due for efficiency, hornor and faithfulness of service, which is not as worthless as he may believe. His obvious talents for music, performance and entertainment could have been celebrated. His greatest challenge will be how to become extraordinary in the wake of his recent past.
June 27th, 2012 at 3:57 am
If I am mistaken please let me know but if you have earned 3 olc it would be 1 higher olc for ever three???
June 27th, 2012 at 6:53 am
“Poe was assigned to med hold on 24 April 2010 and released 08 April 2011.” **whistles** I was a bonus baby, so a broken arm sent me to the PEBD. “He is fine, back to the infantry. It’ll take 3 months for orders, son.” Those 3 months were a little peek at college weekends, if you catch me drift. I almost forgot what the Army was like.
November 5th, 2012 at 5:46 pm
[...] “Stolen Dick” Poe and the case of the Phantom CIB…. [...]