[UPDATE: I just wanted to clarify something that I didn't include in this post. It wasn't intentional as TSO is a great guy and friend and I want to ensure that people understand my efforts to interview SGT Poe were spurred by his This Ain't Hell blog where the story was uncovered. I wanted to get Poe reaction to the controversy. Please check TSO's post with updates. Every story that comes out about the Poe controversy is a direct result of his efforts. When I wrote this post it was simply to highlight the interview, not take credit for any "scoops" in getting the story. - CJ]
By now, you’ve no doubt heard about the country crooner Tim Poe who sang a stirring rendition of Garth Brooks’ “If Tomorrow Never Comes” on America’s Got Talent Monday night. On the show, Poe gave a stirring account on his combat experience and the reason he stutters. According to Poe, he was injured when an RPG round detonated near him, further injuring his back and causing TBI. He said was then evacuated to Germany and eventually medically retired from the military.
The problem is that many of the facts don’t seem to be lining up. On last night’s episode of You Served Radio (audio also embedded below) we had the opportunity to speak with Mr. Poe about the allegations levied against him and offered a chance to clear the air. In the end, the interview seems to have raised more questions than answers.
In the past 24 hours, I’ve received emails and tweets allegedly from members of Poe’s unit as well as family members that contradict his account of his military service. Not a single Soldier, friend, or family member has contacted me or any other military bloggers to substantiate his claims.
Shannon Conroy, who claims to be Poe’s ex-wife sent our You Served Facebook page the following message:
I can tell you as Timothy Poe’s most recent ex-wife and the one who was married to him during all of this “deployment” stuff that he is still lying about a lot of things. I just listened to your interview and it upsets me.
Earlier this morning I spoke with SGT Brianna Lauer, who was in a different platoon of Poe’s unit and knew him. She said that none of what Poe said was accurate and that he never made it any further outside the wire than Kandahar Airfield that she’s aware of. To be fair, SGT Lauer didn’t not work with Poe on a regular basis in Afghanistan, but said that everyone in the company would be aware of an RPG or grenade affecting someone in her unit. For example, when a fellow Soldier was killed in Afghanistan by an IED, the entire company knew what happened.
I’ve spoken with a few other members from Poe’s unit that all echoed SGT Lauer’s version of the story, but none of which worked directly for, with or over him. Later tonight, I will be speaking with troops that did work directly with SGT Poe and will provide those updates when they occur.
While I still reserve judgment on SGT Poe, there are a lot of bits of information that don’t seem to mesh with his story. We already acertained last night that he lied about ever receiving a Purple Heart or Bronze Star Medal. However, he also told Defenders of Freedom that he earned the Combat Infantry Badge [sic]. If Poe was a transportation SGT, he is not qualified to wear the Combat Infantryman’s Badge. Non-infantry troops are awarded the Combat Action Badge instead. Poe does not claim the CAB in his interviews nor do his records reflect such.
During the interview, Poe claimed he doesn’t remember who was around him when the RPG went off. He couldn’t name anyone in his squad or platoon because he “was new to the unit.” As a career Soldier, this was a bit difficult to swallow for me. Every Soldier at least knows the names of one person in their squad. However, this part of his story isn’t ENTIRELY implausible being with a National Guard unit. It is possible that Poe came from a completely different area than the rest of the unit and did not interact with them on a regular basis. On the flip side, no unit deploys without going through intense training first as a team, squad, platoon, company, etc. Surely, the names of at least one of these troops would be easy to remember after all that.
SGT Poe stated that his records were incomplete because the Army doesn’t award the Purple Heart for traumatic brain injuries (TBI). In fact, the Army DOES award the Purple Heart for TBI and many Soldiers have been awarded it for that specific reason.
During the interview, I asked Poe if he stuttered prior to the incident in 2009 he spoke about on AGT. He stated he did not. However, in a WFAA story posted a week ago Poe is described as having “both physical and mental impediments that make it hard to transition to civilian life” as a result of another RPG attack that “actually folded me in half backwards and broke my back.” During our interview, he never mentioned this as the cause of his previous back injury. He did mention the previous injury, but not the cause.
Poe claimed that his unit wasn’t told why he was evacuated and that is why they are countering his claims. In today’s military, commanders and NCOs strive to keep Soldiers as informed as possible about the condition of their wounded and fallen troops. Information is dessiminated so that potential future injuries can be potentially avoided and lessons learned shared.
SGT Poe has offered to provide me with his medical records that support his claims and I will publish those as soon as I get them and scrub them of sensitive information. I also offered SGT Poe a chance on the show last night to come clean sooner rather than later about discrepencies, embellishments, or outright lies that may have been told in the heat of the moment that maybe he didn’t mean. He only asks that people not judge him prematurely. I will respect that for now, but will not take lightly being outright lied to when there was never any need to invent outlandish stories.
The fact is that SGT Poe DID deploy to Afghanistan. He DID serve in the National Guard for a period of time. He DOES deserve the respect that comes with raising the hand and going where the government sends him. That should be enough without creating fiction to garner sympathy or respect.
Ok, so he served. He served on paper but did he serve on the oath? He spent several months in Kosovo and barely a month in Afghanistan. He was a Supply Sergeant. Why would they send a supply unit out to clear buildings and rescue wounded. Liar. But the guy is an American and he enlisted and served. Let’s get him the help he needs.
I don’t think you know how the military works. Anyone from supply to admin even to the bands in the military can be called up at any time to clear building and rescue wounded. It is not up to us to question orders but to follow them as long as they don’t violate the governing laws especially during war time. What ever your job title is, it is second to your profession which is to be a man or woman of war. I am a former Marine who was in supply but also trained to go out and fight when ever the crap hit the fan and it did so we were shipped and placed whenever or wherever needed! But just because this Douche Bag wore a uniform does not give him the right to claim the works that other sacrificed themselves for.
The likelihood of you being called from your PMOS to go do the infantry’s job is HIGHLY unlikely. Some of the combat arms units will take on an infantry like role, but a supply unit taking on an infantry role? Not going to happen. Let’s be realistic when we throw around the anyone can be called to do anything argument.
i am a veteran of the vietnam war,i went to quartermaster supply school after basic training,i was a supply specialist,when i was shipped to vietnam i got the shock of my life,i was put i an infantry company as a grunt and was an assitant machine gunner,i did not have any AIT training after basic like all of the other guys in my unit did,so i am living proof that you can be called from your PMOS ,
It’s VERY possible that even a SUPPLY person can be called to perform as an Infantryman. The current battlefield is so varied that you can be driving in a supply convoy and suddenly find yourself in the middle of a firefight ala Jessica Lynch so do NOT let the MOS make you think he couldn’t be in a serious firefight.
The whole thing is that as a Supply person he shouldn’t be wearing the CIB but he is and that is something that seriously peeves me off and yes I am an 11B Infantryman.
Marcus is completely right; I know there is a bunch of people on here that are saying “I was a supply guy; but when I got in country I was a machine gunner and fought as an Infantry guy”. Not likely; you must have been in the worst unit in the world; Now I’m not saying that when a unit is very short on personnel they are not going to take there non-combat arms guys and put them in with a squad that is short for a mission or two; without proper training. And you can say, “In the Marines I’m an Infantrymen first and supply second”; well we all know thats an embellishment too. And I mean that in the way that, we don’t use our ass-kickers and we have these “Special-Op’s cooks and truck drivers out routing the Taliban and Insurgents” It just is not true and it does a dis-service to our guys that are on the battlefield kicking ass. In my experience with cooks etc.; I had at JRTC went to the Bn mess area in the Rear-D area and grabbed a bunch of cooks and other bn remf’s and other guys from the TOC to go lay minefields (with the Battalion Commander and CSM’s Blessing); because the OPFOR guys’s had taken out most of my Platoon the night before. And none of them bitched or whined and seemed to like what they were doing. And we repelled the OPFOR’s attack and we were praised for saving te Task Force. So, yeah things like “THAT” can happen; but I would say, don’t believe all the stories.
Ya know, when I was in Iraq; and out on the MSR’s patrolling and trying to keep the convoys and supply big rigs from getting attacked and looking for the Hodgies trying to attack them and the big bases like Anaconda; one of the things that would piss me off is the supply convoys and truck drivers rolling around with thier headlights on and no combat gear on; and the lame ass excuses they would come up with. I’m hot, I can’t wear my IBA and Kevlar; it’s to dark and I don’t have an NVG mount; I would tell them that I was hot too; and that I would put my shit on becuase the enemy would attack them instead of my unit; becuse they figured that they were undiisaplined and would go after them instead of my platoon; and for the headlight guys I would just tell them the enemy would IED anyone with lights on; so it was there choose. Don’t forget the guys on the side of the road stopping there convoys to buy booz from the locals. But not all transp units are like that.
George, I don’t think you know how the Military works. Yes, people from supply can go outside the wire to do PAC runs, a pac run can be any type of run; like delivering Water and hot chow to the rest of there Company out at Firebases, Police Stations, etc., etc. In a unit that does not have a lazy 1SG, usually the Company 1SG leads pac runs if he does not have a good E-7 or strong E-6. And I only speek from my own eperience in the Army; the Marines or other branches may do other things. But I can garantee you one thing; the supply guys; and in particularly the “Band”; are not going to go out on patrol or kick down doors. the only way that is going to happen is if we run out of Combat Arms Soldiers like Infantry, Engineers, Arty pukes and MP’s. You would have a hard time prying a tanker out of his Abrams.
Now, this is not to say that supply personnel or other Soldiers who are not combat arms could not get blown up in an ambush or wounded in an IED attack; in fact our company supply personnel went through 3 trucks that were temporararily disabled by IEDs and mines. In fact one of the main focus’s of the local insurgnets in my sector in Iraq 03′-04′, was to attack our supply lines becuase they knew they were vernalable. We always escorted them with our APCs but they would attack regardless; in fact I was with them on two seperate occasions were our supply run was attacked and we had Soldiers wounded. In fact our Infantry Bn’s Support Platoon was hit several times when they would run supplies to our firebase; one of which the insurgents went all out and we had a pretty big fight and one of our boys was hurt pretty bad.
So, can a supply guy get wounded outside the wire; Yes. Are you going to be taking your support guys on missions; well I guess that depends on the amount of personnel in your unit and the amount of training they have. In my unit; the support guys (i.e. the supply guys; the NBC NCO etc)would go out on Company missions as gunners in the HQ APC’s and hummers and boots on the ground during, because they were trained for it. And they would be tasked out to the line platoons and put with the squads were we could keep an eye on them. In my Platoon; I had 2 track mechanics and they fought side by side with all of us; cause they were trained for it. The medic would be glued my hip; especially during an attack or ambush; she may have been hysterical and I may have had to drag her along but she was there and did alot of good things; and saved lives.
Now did this guy do anything like he is saying; Idon’t know, I was not in that unit; but if NCO’s from his unit are saying it did not happen; then I’m pretty sure it did not happen. When someone in a Company or unit gets evac’d for any reason, especially for combat related reasons; everyone knows; especially the NCO’s. When anyone gets wounded; the Commander and the 1SG(First Sergeant for all you non-miitary peeps); usually gets all the leaders together and briefs them about what happened; mainly so that everyone knows whats going on with unit personnel and discuss if there is any reason or way of preventing it from happening again.
I imagine this guy is embelllishing his service which is sad for him; his stuttering was probably a pre-exissting condition which should be documented in his iniial enlistment documentation since he probably would not need to be in an MOS were clear communication skills are required; or he could have been stuttering because he was lying and his body was reacting in such a was becuse he knew what he was doing was wrong.
And before any of you start attacking me about my opinion on this subject; I would say “Don’t bother” I spent 23 years Acive Duty in the US Army, and was a senior leader for the last 10 years in senior leadership positions at Company level. In that time, I also served as a Platoon Sergeant in Iraq.
I am curious to see what the real reason he only served a short time; I believe it was a month when this supposed injury in Afganistan occured. I still think that this guys service should be reognized; I just believe that if he is not being truthful, then his leadership and family should seek to get hem some medical help; like psycologica help before this goes south; usually when stuff like this happens there is a real mental illness and the person goes into a save face shame mode and hurts themselves. I would hate to see this happen. It is a very serious thing.
I am a retired Transportation NCO, and I would like to make it clear that my Unit was a part of Taskforce 21 who patrolled a certain sector in Iraq, from Ft Hood and everyone in the battalion from Cooks, Petroleum handlers, truck drivers, SUPPLY Specialist and Combat Arms personnel were all involved with these patrols and put there lives in danger just as much as any combat arms units (this battalion was a Field Artillery Battalion). And just so I add, we lost 4 Great soldiers while deployed in this task force. Just for the record with all the realigning of Combat Brigades there are no individual SUPPLY UNITS that really serve by themselves, they all deploy together and as one complete unit so that Combat Brigades can be self sufficient without adding outside units to there deployments. I do not agree with everything that SGT Poe is saying, but, he should be able to prove everything without a problem, I can name almost everyone that i Have served alongside from other units and my own, so for him not be able to tell anyone who he has served with I do not believe. As a soldier who suffers from severe PTSD and TBI, i have records for everything. SSG(R) Jason Trammell
Ya know I was in 1st Cav 90-93′; and was with them for Desert Storm; but I was in 3rd Brigade 4th ID during Iraqi Freedom. But, my good friend was the Bn CSM of 8th Eng Bn and I will have to ask him about this. In fact, he is on my facebook list so I’m going to send him this link and see what he has to say. He is retired also, and loves to blog about this kinda stuff.
he is the new “Bloater” not a “Poser” you know the type guy who inflates his record…Sad…
S/F
Taco
ps Jug Burkett was very interested in his case.
Perhaps his claim of “incomplete records” are semi-believable. But we know he NEVER stepped foot in Iraq yet in this interview he not only claims he served a tour in Iraq, but also claims he was shot in the leg (they DEFINITELY give PHs for that) and shows the scar. http://www.wfaa.com/news/local/Charity-helps-disabled-veterans-get-back-into-the-workforce-155855655.html If he lie once, he’ll lie again.
Yes, he did serve, and he should have gotten respect for said service. Unfortunately, he sullied it with his lies. Additionally, I would encourage all of you to listen closely at 124:24 after the question is being posed, saying there are a lot of people who will say Timmah is “full of crap,” but magnanimously encouraging listeners not to jump to conclusions, you can hear him mutter clearly “Screw them.”
That’s right. Screw them.
Everyone who had the temerity to question his BS. Everyone who had the gall to be skeptical of his claims.
Screw them.
The arrogant little bastard is not even sorry. But he does do a good job of acting.
Very reasoned (and incredibly patient) response, and it’s noted that you’ve given him plenty of opportunities to come clean. I look forward to his medical records and future updates.
The question I have is why do soldiers who have served honorably feel the emotional need to embellish or make up stories about their service? The most obvious reason is they want the attention, but there seems to be some component of their personality that relies heavily on their own myth making and fabrication. It’s troubling because so many people are taken in, only to have their good will destroyed by such manipulation.
I would like to see the new information. Has his DD214 been updated so we can all see the record of his Purple Heart? I just want to know because there are plenty of people who serve and do not lie about it for personal gain. What other reason would someone lie about this kind of thing?
yes his DD214 could have been wiped clean and may have to be rebuilt but there would be medical records to back up his story. He would have previous older DD214 that would show his service prior to this deployment where he was injured. Up to that point he should have copies of those records to go with medical records to update his DD214.
All you need to see is a DA199 from his PEB. its states every injury or condition that makes him unfit to serve. Once you start a little lie they get bigger. He needs help. Besides being punished for falsifying heroism. if he was retired for Medical it would state so right on his DD214, on LINE 28 mine reads “DISABILITY, TEMPORARY” while I continue the PEB process. so if he was ay BAMC it his DD214 would have correctly stated so.
As a person who was born disabled and thus unable to serve in the military but always wanted to, i believe that any position in the military from the lowliest of the low to the greatest general are both equally an honor and a privilege, to embellish your military history is not only an insult to all past and present servicemen but cheapens the accomplishments the actions of our brave men and women who have been injured in the line of duty and have above and beyond the line of duty, and died doing it if this guy really did lie about all of that then he needs to be off the show to let him stay would only condone his lies, it would be a slap in the face of all those who served!
Ok now he cant release any photos or medical records for “legal reasons”. hmm sounds fishy to me.
“[UPDATE: Looks like Poe is sticking with his story. He tells TMZ today that the version he told on-air is true, and that soldiers' injuries are often not reported correctly in military records. Poe, however, could not produce any documentation to verify his claims, saying he can't release any photos or medical records for legal reasons.] ” of course what I posted is he said she said yahoo news took from TMZ so the accuracy of those two pages, who knows if they are actually accurate. He did tell You Served he would release the medical records now he is not going to? Ok I am SURE he is telling the truth then. Rolling my eyes.
I was Poe’s First Sergeant in 2009 when he claims to have been hit by an RPG. As I recall, he went to sick call for a minor issue and was sent back home. I will not divulge the issue due to privacy restraints; however, it was NOT due to any enemy contact or action. He claims to not remember the names of other soldiers in his unit but he had a relative in our company and he was with us for over two months of hard training. I am so apalled that this one individual is tarnishing the name of a good company who worked hard under very difficult circumstance. I am so proud of the other soldiers who are stepping up to uphold Army values and are speaking the truth to try to correct the embellishments of this great example of a very poor soldier. As a military member (does not matter the service) we are given a set of principals to live by. We are to act with Honor, Integrity, and Loyalty. He has let us all down. Not only our unit, but the Nation as a whole by trying to pull on their heart strings to get something for himself. I certainly hope that his lies do not change the minds of organizations and their supporters with helping military members who truely were injured and are in need of support.
Thanks for posting that 1sgt. There are a few groups of former Jarheads like myself and other service members that track these guys.
Top,
Nobody that has ever served thinks that one dirtbag lying to the press makes your unit bad. I have seen too many folks like this show up, think that’s all it takes, then get sent home crying over how “unfair” it all is. Doesn’t matter the MOS, doesn’t matter WHERE you served, good soldiers are good soldiers, dirtbags can’t be turned into good soldiers. Having been in the NCO support channel of a few of them, I know that no matter how hard you try, sometimes its a lost cause. Chalk it up to him trying to get sympathy and move on.
P.S. I have worked with a lot of Trans units in Afghanistan and Iraq, and have consistently been impressed with the professionalism shown by them. Its not about glory, its about doing your job well.
1SG, I am with you all the way on this, but I question the motives of your speaking out publicly in a discussion forum. To be honest, I doubted your rank when I first saw this (surely no 1SG is going to put down one of his soldiers in such an unprofessional manner/place?), and so had to Google you. Personally (and I don’t know the man), I think you hit the head of the nail, but I also think you are out of line here. I sure hope my 1SG doesn’t go around saying things about me! … Very unprofessional.
SGT Singleton,
Iraq ’06, Recon Platoon, 1-133IN, 34th ID
I don’t know about you Sgt. but to question a 1Sgt in a public forum about what professionalism is and what it is not about a public issue that was made public by a worthless Sgt such as Poe, well the one who I question is you since a 1Sgt is way above your pay grade and your tone is way out of line. I would agree with you if this was a military issue or trial or work performance or even health issue being made public then yes it was not the proper steps to take but we are talking about the disgraceful act of lying and whose story changes with each passing day already in the public eyes then yes people need to step up and stop these lying cowards. But again for you to speak about something you feel is wrong then I suggest you take a look at the rank structure and stay in your post! Just in case your wondering yes I did serve.
Sgt Singleton,
I think Top has every reason to come out here on this forum and put things straight. This guy is no longer his troop, he is retired, and from what I can see deserves no loyalty from anyone. He lost that when he stole valor from others that deserve it but don’t receive it. Top also has the right to defend his other soldiers, the ones that are following the warrior ethos, would you rather he sit back and never defend the truth? Isn’t that part of Integrity. He said absolutely nothing that any of us could not have researched on our own and was very professional about not sharing this wankers medical ” issues”. Obviously the 1SG is “Old School” back when we didn’t let them hold up stress cards in basic. I hope you take a lesson SGT. you pacify these cry babies and defend the B.S. they pull over and over again and this is what you get…POE. Everyone has been screaming, “where is his CoC and why haven’t they clarified this” Well they just did! Oh and Sgt, a good NCO does not question his senior NCO’s in front of any one! NOT ANYONE. So if you have a problem with him ask for contact info and do it one on one, because you soldier, just made the NCO corp look like undisciplined crap…Very unprofessional!
I did listen to the show and commented on allowing Poe time to produce the appropriate documentation to prove his claims to be fact as opposed to fiction. This said and after reflection and reading the post of others both military personal past and present as well as non-military folks who are concerned that those who have served are honored and given the respect they do deserve to receive for their service.
In considering al aspects of Poe’s story and comments from all especially those who either served with Poe or know him personally I have come to a conclusion on why I think he would make such claims which I have no doubt will be proven to be false in the coming days.
Hence in my personal opinion Poe needs our help not our ridicule. I understand the anger felt by both the military and non-military communities over his statements and I am not condoning his actions in any way what-so-ever.
Yet I feel this man who did serve his country in a designated capacity although not a combat one still a vital part of the overall support aspect of maintaining the military requirement in the specific region of his deployment which for a stable person would garnish all the self respect and pride service brings with it.
However I highly doubt we are discussing a stable personality here, let alone one that has the clearness and rational presence of mind to take pride in their actual service. This is a very insecure and troubled individual who for whatever reason feels the need to manufacture fictional accounts of events and heroic actions that would bolster their self confidence in the eyes of others.
My feeling is we should perhaps consider Poe’s allegations from this perspective, take a deep breath for all to let the situation deflate and then suggest that perhaps Mr. Poe seek the medical assistance that can be provided through psychiatric counseling. We do not know why Mr. Poe was possessed to make such inflated statements, this may always have been part of his personality or perhaps something occurred during his service regardless of his actual designation to preempt this type of instability and low self esteem causing him to feel the need to manufacture these type of assertions of his service over seas.
In closing my point is rather than ridicule the man would it not be a more constrictive approach to encourage him to seek professional help through the proper medical options avalonale to him?
Simply put calling him out in anger is not shedding a positive light on the service as all the public sees is the story of the hour…in this case Poe’s which unfortunately hurts the image and to a point the credibility of all who served.
Bottom line, as hard as it may be for everyone to deal with regarding Poe perhaps an Irish saying mother use to tell me at times when I was upset or angry wich someone may ring true here…” Sure you now that man is more to be pittyed than ridiculed”…
Just my take on the situation.
John, you’re very nice.
I don’t mean that disrespectfully, but you seem like a very nice person.
Speaking for myself, I’m short on sympathy. I have friends who have served, who have been injured and who died downrange. Some worked in an infantry capacity, and some did not. Not one of us tried to claim an honor, such as a CIB or a Bronze Star, because we felt inadequate, as Poe did. And worse yet, he used these lies for personal advancement!
While I agree with you that he may not be a stable personality, he’s more than capable of admissions of guilt. After all, he did grudgingly admit that he embellished and exaggerated! Not like he doesn’t know the difference! And yet, he continues to assert his truthfulness in public!
I’m sorry, but he’s disgusting. It’s not that he doesn’t know the difference between right and wrong. It’s that he doesn’t seem to care.
what a disgrace to all who have real and undisputable combat injuries like myself,and yes i have the cib which is correct only given to infantry soldiers bwho served in combat what a fraud and a disgrace
oh of he had the injusries he would be drawing A DISABILITY (service connected) like me and other veterans who have it. Like myself he would be 100% permanent and total if he had the injuries he claims
I would be very upset if the allegations proved to be true. I turned down a PH that I qualified for in DS in 1991 because the wound in question was the result of stupidity on my part, and because I didn’t feel it was on par with more “normal” combat injuries that truly deserve the medal. If I learned that someone had lied about receiving one, or received one for a non combat related injury, I would lose all respect for that person’s integrity.
As a veteran of the Veit Nam War. I am appoled at the balls this man showed when he blantly lied to all of America. It is not our place to judge. Leave it In Gods Hands……….Lw
Spoken like a true REMF
look get this pos and put him ina nut house or at fort leavenworth for lying about getting cib or a purple heart i have people in my unit here in afghanistan that should have a cab i know its not a cib but still they seen and got hit by incoming or got hit by ied’s on missions. but still they are here still going on clips and living the deployed life of a soldier and to all who knows the army and other branches of the service we do get put in units or platoons that you dont know everyone for awhile til you get to know them but still his story dont pan out sorry but hes full of shit
My brother-in-law is a war hero from Vietnam era who we a 90 day wonder reserve who never left the states. Even has ribbons to show everyone. LOL !!! Some people don’t realixe the truth. On the other hand, we didn’t always know what actually happened to all people as a junior enlisted troop. As a Plt Sgt or Squad leader, we knew about everything we could. It is possible for the person to be evacuated and no one passed the word or actually cared about him. Sh_t happens.
As the daughter of a world war II Vet…..sister of a Nam vet….and two brothers who served stateside…several nephews who served and more recently my only son served in Afghanistan w the ARNG MA……I am disturbed by this …..extremely disturbed….he has insulted the inteligence of the US MILITARY…..the Men and Women who have served…and their families……especially the soldiers who gave ALL! Sick person….he had no stutter after he sang and ran bk stage to his fiance and the host Nick! And I did point that out to my husband…….not only that…..my son rarely speaks of what happenned there….he isnt looking for glory….he did his job and is proud……we found out details via one of his commanding officers…….so if this loser dnt get booted off the show…..Im done watching it!
As, to Sgt Poe’s claim’s, whether true, lied, or so forth, in the end his military record and medical records will be the proof in the pudding as they say. Why, do some men and women emblellish their service account’s.Alot is attention.
I know as being a VietNam era Vet, who was in country,alot embellished their accounts of actionfor attention because of all the negative press that was going on at the time we all returned. We deserve just as much recogiziation forour service during that time as anyone else who service in a war /action zone. I for one was injured while over there,brag or embellis, No, I didnt wantto talk about the nightmare, and thats what is was and still is to me.Only thing I’m angry about, and it isnt about serving or being hurt,but the disrespectI encounter upon my return, and the on going fight since my return with the Veterans Administration for my legitimate disibility compensation. I as a female Vet final, the V>A does and has discriminated against the female Veteran, not just during the Vietnam Era,but all even today.We serve, we give our all and sometimes are hurt badly physically and mentally, but yet we’re not on the same equal ground as our brother’s in arms,they receive better benefits,fast serve and yes even medical care.It has taken me almost 41 years to get to the percentage I’m at today, and should of gotten all those years back,when I was just as injured. Thank You.
As a Green Beret who actually has a Purple Heart from an RPG in Afghanistan along with others from Iraq and tours in Africa, all I can say is screw this Blue Falcon. What kind of balls does he have to think he can get away with that kind of lie on national television. Every time a POS like this starts one of these stolen valor controversies he robs attention from our nations vets and real wounded warriors who truly need the help. It’s because of people like this that the average Joe passes right by the homeless person with the “veteran” sign, or the people outside of a store collecting donations for legitimate veterans organizations.
This guy, his family and everyone who knows him should be ashamed of themselves for producing this worthless waste of oxygen. I hope he enjoys where it’s going, I hear it’s nice and hot for people like him.
I’m a Medically Retired SFC 11C4O (Indirectfire Infantryman), I’m a 90% disabled veteran and 80% of that is service connected for wounds recieved in Iraq. I have a CIB (Combat Infantry Badge), a PH (Purple Heart), and a Bronze Star with NO V-Device because it was an end of tour award. I can tell you this much that Whenever a soldier is real about what He/She has that they can very well produce some kind of evidence whenever asked or whenever thier credibility is in question. There has been alot of stolen Valor Acts going on lately and frankly I’m getting sick of it. This Guy needs to be turned in for it and serve jail for his lies. I Hope he isn’t claiming PTSD because I’ll tell you right now that those of us who actually have it wouldn’t go anywhere around a place that has a lot of people due to anxiety making you feel like your having a Heart attack. If the guys story keeps changing than of course he isn’t telling the truth and If he was really wounded that bad in Iraq that he was MEDVAC’ed to Germany for it, than DOD (Department of Defense) would’ve given his next of kin a phone call, which would’ve been his ex-wife that was metioned in the article, telling them about him being injuried. Stop Questioning this guy and turn him in for the STOLEN VALOR ACT.
This sounds like the fogs of war situation. In his case, I don’t judge but the Tactical operation center should be able to confirm his story. We kept all this type of info on record, we were never asked to show it to the public but Operations should know what happened to him.
You can be a strager in your company (or battery in my case). SFC ret army
The fact that he says the military does not record medical documents correctly is somewhat true in a way but I know that it is a lie because at the first sign of a mistake you go to your S1/ or any other S Shop and hospital to have it Corrected not just ignore it. I was wounded by an RPG, I did not receive my PH until 1 1/2 after the fact while I was in my new unit. The medical documentation was messed up I took shrapnel in my right leg in my hamstring but for whatever reason my papers said my left leg in my calf dont ask I have no idea, It was here in Afghanistan where I’m at yet again I’m infantry and I really do have the CIB for a POG “Person Other than Grunt” says that they were awarded all this stuff as well as the CIB kinda upsets me even though yes the requirements for CAB and CIB are close to the same CIB is for Infantry only not some supply guy that sits in his office all day and can prob. barely get us the infantry guys our ADO on time Like new uniforms and gloves stuff that we need to wear for PPE… Only thing is I would love for somebody to call me out I’d take a picture of my ERB and submit it of course taking my SSN and other SI out of it. I always wonder why soldiers want to boast their service I am a firm believer what I have done and what has happened to me is enough and I do not want to go through it again.. I just hope that he is found for the liar that he is and the people do not think that it is all of the soldiers that do this.. I guess we will see what happens to this guy in the near future.. and just to let everyone here know this pisses alot of my guys off over here in Afghanistan makes our friends and fellow soldiers look badly off of the appearance of one…
I didn’t believe the story even while watching Americas got talent the night he perform, his stuttering was not consistant, he didn’t stutter any while talking after he left the stage, seem like an act to me from the beginning. I’m retired military, and a combat vet. I have respect for all who have serve, not just those who serve in a combat zone, but I don’t believe his story.
I deployed in 2010 with a sister unit out of arkansas, army reserve, and i knew more than 40 soldiers names after the 30 day train up. There were men and women from 26 different states that made up this unit. I have been victim to ied attacks in both iraq and afghanistan conducting route clearance missions, receiving “combat action badges” for both incidents (which hrc took one off record, because one is only allowed on record now.), as i am not infantry, who is the only mos that receives the combat infantry badge. I do stutter now myself, but its not all the time. Anytime any soldier is injured or involved in an ied strike it is put out at battalion level. What i’ve seen from my deployments is that soldiers that stayed on the fob seem to have better war stories than the soldiers that leave the wire on a daily basis. As a fellow NCO, I believe an INTEGRITY CHECK is in order here. If my memory serves correct, using false information of awards is punishable by UCMJ.
SGT Caudill, 396th EN CO (12B)
SGT Caudill, the CAB has ALWAYS only been authorized once, regardless of conflict. No on has been authorized a star on their CAB since it was created. Read the regulation.
Imma keep this short and simple… Im currently in the National Guard out of IN.. And I was deployed in Afghanistan in 09-10… My whole unit got serperated at the last min.. and my platoon went to a differnt FOB but the rest of the unit stayed at another… I only heard only 6 ins of this and I know for a fact he is lieing… Nobody in the right mind (COC) would ever withheld important information about any injuries or even a sniper shooting at a soldier… I remember one time that a joe was in the turrent in a MRAP last truck… he got sniped at.. now he didnt get hit or anything… THANK GOD… but my platoon at a different FOB heard about ASAP… so it goes back to learn from mistakes… they will never withheld important info like that.. if so… their COC needs to be court marshal NOW… and the fact that he claims about the CIB.. only infantry can get a CIB (combat infantry badge)… any other MOS will recieve a CAB (combat action badge)… and the fact that he was a Supply SGT… he wouldve never left the FOB or COB… I knew that being in a 11B MOS unit… supply stays in the wire… well thats what my unit did… and as a SGT in my unit… I KNOW…
Can the Army mess up the paperwork? Definitely. Would some fellow soldiers contradict his claims? Maybe. If he is telling the truth, I feel sorry for him. That said, there are several things that don’t add up. For one, the CIB (I am wearing a CIB lapel right now), he would have to have been an 11series (infantry) MOS. I couldn’t care less about the Bronze Star and what not, but anyone who claims the CIB and didn’t earn it has lost all honor in my book.
I agree. I earned my CIB in Iraq from September 2003 to 2004 with A Co. 1-16th INF in Fallujah, Iraq of all places. Just makes me mad claiming to have a CIB when you he’s NOT in the INFANTRY
We see this alot, guys. A PX-hero or a downright liar. Don’t despair, though. He’ll get his just rewards. I’m pretty sure the feds prosecute ppl like this now if it’s severe enough, and this is pretty severe-he lied to the entire country! But imagine what he’s gonna feel when he lies in bed tonight(no pun intended). That is, if he even has a conscience. He may be a lifelong pro at lying for all we know.
Not so sure. I am thinking that a judge has ruled this as “freedom of speech,” but I could be wrong.
After 27 years of service, in my experiance, those that embelish, wished they had a more exciting experiance.. Those that have, you cant pry the stories out of. Just saying.. Shout out to all those Protecting my freedom, Thnk U!!
Completely agree. I have long said that every one of us wishes we were just one level higher than what we were. I was an infantryman and earned the CIB, but only because I was mortared … (IEDs blew up around me, snipers took shots at others, but never at me). To some, that makes me “more” special than they were (they wish that happened to them because they were stuck in a tower, stuck on the FOB, etc.) but to me, I wish I was kicking in doors. … No matter who we are, we will always look at others and desire to be as “good, bad, hard” as they were/are. Of course, the answer is to not compare ourselves amongst ourselves and to look at the mission as a whole. But that won’t happen.
He was in the military and is now out…. He sure as hell can sing,so leave him alone… Everyone deserves a chance to use their God given talent… His is singing and acting!!!!
Wrong. His talent (I will dispute how significant said talent is) doesn’t matter here. Honor, integrity and honesty do. Using your talent is one thing. Propping yourself to be a hero when you’re not and trying to gain more recognition from that is quite another. Obviously his “talent” is not sufficient to allow him to advance on this show, so he has to lie about it.
Give me a break!
Dear Ms.Sheryl,
I am at a loss to understand how you found this website since your comment reveals you to be a dumb as a bag of rocks.
If you can’t grasp the problem with Tim Poe lying about his service then you should not use the computer without adult supervision.
Ms. Sheryl,
You couldn’t be more wrong if you tried. He tried using military service that he DID NOT DO to gain support and sympathy. He used it to get benefits from a charity. He used that charity. He lied. He lied more than once. He lied and dishonored his own service for personal gain.
And he got caught. Instead of owning up to his bad choices, he continues to lie.
You may be okay with that. I don’t know what your moral compass looks like but I know mine.
He lied about something very important. And that is unforgivable, really.
Disgusting.
Oh he is definately acting but he is also commiting a crime that is punishable by a minimum of 6 mo hard labor . Leave him alone? He stole valor…benefits… If some one came into your home and stole 50% of your work check for say…a year no lets say 5 years. how would you feel if I said leave him alone he only took half of it.
Ms. Sheryl didn’t read the article and has no clue what we’re talking about here.
I do agree with John to a good point. The man is clearly disturbed and needs help. This coming from a veteran myself and a caregiver to a wounded warrior. I am upset and very angry at what he has claimed and both my husband and I know that stuff he rattled off did not fit. I do hope it does not affect how others perceive the rest of us and especially those like my husband, who really were injured while deployed. I think the VA should pay attention to this man and offer counseling through the vet centers and a doctor to monitor him and see what is really going on with him. Also, I really hope that the wrong vets don’t get a hold of him, because those that have severe PTSD and traumatic brain injury have a very difficult time controlling their anger at times.
Ma’am, it is my understanding the VA is already looking into this situation but even though I agree this gentleman is disturbed I suspect the onset began long before he entered the military.
I am sure it did. It is quite sad that all someone needs to do is lie about how they feel and boom, you are in……. We have come across someone like this, just not to this extreme. Just claimed delta when he was never delta…..lol……
I served in Viet Nam 67-68 Tet Offensive. There was always someone saying they were .But come to find out they did not serve.I have always heard stories of untruth.they must have very low self worth ,They need help .I suggest a Vet Center close to him.They helped me with my PTSD.GOOD LUCK.
I don’t know about you Sgt. but to question a 1Sgt in a public forum about what professionalism is and what it is not about a public issue that was made public by a worthless Sgt such as Poe, well the one who I question is you since a 1Sgt is way above your pay grade and your tone is way out of line. I would agree with you if this was a military issue or trial or work performance or even health issue being made public then yes it was not the proper steps to take but we are talking about the disgraceful act of lying and whose story changes with each passing day already in the public eyes then yes people need to step up and stop these lying cowards. But again for you to speak about something you feel is wrong then I suggest you take a look at the rank structure and stay in your post! Just in case your wondering yes I did serve.
He has every right to let the 1SG know how he feels if he feels the 1SG was incorrect. Correction is a two way street as long as he isn’t disrespectful which he wasn’t.
CJ, can you tell us about your combat experience? Thanks.
Chuck Johns,
I’m not speaking for CJ, but how is his record relevent?
Are you saying that only people who serve in combat can comment on this issues? I never served, but I can call out a liar when I hear one.
Chuck,
you are barking up the wrong tree, son.
Chuck, I’m a Medal of Honor recipient who fought in the American Revolution under the command of General George Washington. After I personally rowed his canoe across the Delaware, I moved on to inciting the Civil War where I personally advised General Lee and the Confederacy (probably why we lost). I know that sounds hokey and probably fake, but I was bitten by a vampire and hunted by Abraham Lincoln, which explains my long history. On the plus side, that vampire bite earned me a Purple Heart as well. /sarcasm
Poe was shot in the leg? Show the scar.
He broke his back in an RPG blast that “folded him in half”? Show the scar from the surgery that fixed his back.
His chain of command calls him out as a liar?
He. Is. A. Fraud.
Period f’ing dot.
He should be scorned, ridiculed, shamed, and most importanly, swept into the dustbin with all of the other garbage that claims injuries and awards they never earned.
If you never served, its a big lie. If you served and you are not proud of what you did. Its a big lie. Using the Military as a way to influence others, who would not normally vote for you, its a lie. I am so tired of Folks, who think its okay to use the Military as a escape. I think he should be thrown off the show, and then do, K.P. for a month at Fort Benning Infantry School. He should clean up after Real soldiers.
What Sgt Poe has done is to slap every past, present and future military member in the face. To be in the military is to serve (an even after discharge) with Honor and courage. Neither of which Sgt Poe has shown by his actions.
it just keeps getting deeper for Poe. http://theclicker.today.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/06/07/12109070-singing-vet-gave-americas-got-talent-a-photo-of-another-soldier?lite
It is a terrible indignity to those who have served honorably to have such a person as Poe try to get sympathy for something he hasn’t done. There are so many brave and honorable servicepeople who deserve what he is wrongfully claiming to have received. SHAME ON YOU POE!
I believe the Commander of the Minnesota unit has stated that Poe lied and was not injured in combat so I was puzzled that there was still so much debate. He lied – greatly. There seem to be many folks who are inflamed – and I say rightly so. Respect is earned – not stolen. As for the 1st Sgt – he has a right to defend the good and I would expect any of my 1st Sgts to do the same should I stand up and lie. Who better to verify the truth? As for help, there are many (many) organizations that offer help. Should America’s Got Talent not boot him, I think I will lose faith in America. Oh – and yes, I am a Veteran – Disabled (and verified).
Having served overseas in U.S.M.C. during the evacuation of Viet Nam but rotating back to the U.S.A several days earlier while my buddies participated left me with feelings of did I desert them . I never lied about my service or claimed disability for any injury sustained during my service . My brother in law the eldest was hert in combat and was allways held in honor and spoken about during family gatherings , my second to last brother in law served in Korea as I myself did . As years passed I can only assume he got tired of the credit given the eldest brother in law and confessed he to had served in Viet Nam . His service record has no mention of this tour and I suspected he lied to gather family respect for his contributions . He passed away two years ago and today I wonder , alot of thoughts go through minds if someone is singled out for greatness and the others over looked ! I am proud of my service as each soldiger , sailor , and Marine should be , no need to claim hero status for untold deeds ! Because you served and gave up civilian life and were on call to fight as needed , your all ready a hero ! SGT Poe , admit you made up story for what ever reason , be proud and lets get on with story ! SEMPER-Fi !
Former Vietnam Soldier. Infantry. assigned to the 2/1 Cav. “Black Hawks”. I have read all of the posts in this blog and There is a lot of sensible statements on both sides of the record. As for the Real truth “ONLY TIME WILL TELL”. As a Nam Vet. I also know that there was a lot of things that happened that never made it to paper, but something of this seriousness wouuld have, I do believe. This has nothing to do with his vocal abilities. It has to do with How He Presented Himself to the USA on the program.
The piece of s**t should be thrown off the show, brought up on charges and sent to jail. I am a former Marine and carry a few scars as well extensive arthritic conditions from injuries sustained while, well just injuries sustained. I also suffered pretty severe PTSD and was hospitalized due to it, where I learned the “thorazine shuffle”. I was involved in some pretty silly and crazy situations and wish them on no one. I never bring them up as I would have to think about them then. This piece of s**t should be forced to clean the wounds and change the dressings of those that have actually struggled with real injuries. I have zero respect and even less compassion for this human shit bag. Semper Fidelis!!
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Oh my goodness, there is so much to say about this situation. Although I’m not a vet, I have a great deal of respect for those who serve, especially since we have not had a draft and yet so many willingly lay down their life for my country on my behalf. It seems to me the show is irrelevant now that far worse concerns are his mental health. On Nightline, he maintained his belief in his version, and that he is confused now. I am glad though that I caught the infamous performance that led up the controversy. A Dish co-worker tipped me off that the performance is available on Dish Online; I went there to watch it a few days ago. I have missed the show a lot this season, and I just pick back up where I left off by watching on Dish Online. That makes it so convenient for me when I have such a busy schedule.
i proudly served in the army. all my years was an m.p./ investigator. in our mp. units, supply was in the rear with the gear and to help protect their area. i served in physical security,port security,escord prisoner units. in my units supply,admin,motor pool was in the rear. besides admin will make note on their dd 214 or orders of such personnel that goes out to arms way. in my days i have investigated such want a-bees that have claim such awards that they wore but, did not earn. for the last 10 years the military/dod have prostitcuted such fraud to the fullest und the u.c.m.j. 3-15 years and a dishonorable dischrge. this so called man has slapped us combat vets in our facess. this guy tried to play ” Aduie Murphay” but, got caught. you can remember peoples first names or their last names. i know i could when i was shot in centeral america. this guy should and will get punished and kick out. he screwed up his life for this.
We have conducted literally hundreds of interviews with depolyed members over these past years and have clearly heard as to how a member tarined to work in one area is pulled to do something else on deployment. We also know that shells have come into FOB’s and other camps, creating extensive damages, injuries and worse. Just by being in the area, a member can be put in a position to have a devastating outcome. If Tim Poe, and others like him, have problems relating due to memory and injuries, including PTSD, then let’s help them. There is a difference between a soldier who cannot keep up with 2+2=4 and a soldier who purposefully makes 2+2=5 (fraud) so he/she can benefit from it.
Let’s give Tim Poe some time – and help if needed – to pull his info together, before throwing accusations and worse at him. My God, if he is suffering, how do you take that back? How do you take back the added pain that is being thrown at him? Let CJ and folks help him get his facts together. He is a Veteran – he deserves at least that much! He may very well deserve the thanks he was receiving just a few days ago – and some much needed treatment to help him understand what has occurred.
Thank You, CJ. And if you do need to head that way to setup protection, count me (and my Toy Poodles) in!
Didn’t they care when you told whoever you told? About not having AIT training & being a supply specialist. I am 8 and I swear, it seems like our country had no idea what they were doing, what their men were doing, anything!! The stories are horrendous. A raft with officers inside who were picked up first & then the guys hanging onto the raft with no strength to climb in, slowly started letting go and drowning and it was a few HOURS after the officers were picked up before all the other men were picked up, one way or the other, I guess. Can you you sue the Army or the US Government – well, I guess we would have been bankrupt long before now, if you could… I am so sorry!! I just cannot imagine your terror – I am so sorry!!
My son-in-law got out with a 49% disability (PTSD.) 49% – hahaha oh the Army is just such a barrel of laughs… So, he keeps to himself and is a lot better with the kids than he was at first, but is still like my Dad, a Vietnam vet who left a good daddy and came home an asshole who beat us like we were grown men and women. Tim’s got that same, “Fuck everyone.” attitude.
I’m sure I would too. Hell, I kind of have it anyway, just growing up the way we did. I don’t say I’m an Army brat, I say, “I grew up in the Army.” Others would know just what I meant.
Well, I don’t know… (obviously) I just wanted to express sincere regret over what happened to you and probably your whole life. I like your icon. Trisha
I am 58, not 8! LOL and my reply was to Papa John – somehow I thought it would end up as a reply to him.
This just blows me away that so many people find this to be there business about this mans life! Tim you know what happened to you because u are the one who went through it. I have a husband who served in 2 wars now and yes he was put in supply companies to do things he was called to do and they still can’t find alot of his medical records, this is our goverment we are talking about. All the man wanted to do was sing and move foreward with his life , not relive the war again like people are pushing him to do . It’s sad our world is like this , I have you in my prayers . I have heard what you have said, you had a gerenade go off by your ear and cause you inter ear problems that made you fall down and lose blance and such. This is true that problems with inter ear does do this , so for people judging you let them judge, them to shall be judged. My brother was hit by a car and he studderd after it .There were times when he could talk some without doing it but he had problems with it also. Keep your head up and keep looking to GOD , don’t let anyone bring you down . You have a wonderful voice and you will be singing for Jesus in the heavens oneday
No, all the man wanted to do was lie about his service and awards to garner additional sympathy from the media and civilian population. He lied, he got caught, now he cries when confronted.
I know a lot of Purple Heart veterans and have not ever heard a single one talk in detail about how that PH was earned to a large group of strangers in a public forum. To say you have a PH is one thing. to go into details is pretty much unheard of. Hard to talk about to someone close. almost impossable to s stranger.
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