Terry J. Powell
Encyclopedia
Terry J. Powell falsely claimed to be a recipient of the United States
' highest decoration for valor, the Medal of Honor
, and a veteran of the Vietnam and Iraq wars. In June 2007 when confronted by Waukesha County sheriff's detectives he said he was a cook on the destroyer USS James O'Hara
, which was in reality a transport ship decommissioned in 1961 and scrapped in 1968, and nursed several sailors sickened by food poisoning back to health. He showed the detectives a Medal of Honor certificate he says he received from former President Richard Nixon
on July 15, 1972, and signed by Navy Secretary John Chafee
. Later Powell claimed he lost the original certificate concerning the medal when his basement was flooded. During a 2007 Memorial Day speech, which was videotaped, Powell said he served three tours in Vietnam and one in Iraq. As late as August 2007, Powell was still wearing his Medal of Honor when he attempted to speak at a VFW
post only to be rebuffed. Powell has been charged with unlawfully wearing the Medal of Honor, according to documents made public. If convicted, he faces up to a $100,000 fine and a year in prison.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
' highest decoration for valor, the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
, and a veteran of the Vietnam and Iraq wars. In June 2007 when confronted by Waukesha County sheriff's detectives he said he was a cook on the destroyer USS James O'Hara
USS James O'Hara (APA-90)
USS James O'Hara was a that served with the US Navy during World War II and later in the Korean War. The ship was named after a Continental Army officer who fought in the Revolutionary War and who later became Quartermaster General of the US Army.Initially acquired as an Army transport, the ship...
, which was in reality a transport ship decommissioned in 1961 and scrapped in 1968, and nursed several sailors sickened by food poisoning back to health. He showed the detectives a Medal of Honor certificate he says he received from former President Richard Nixon
Richard Nixon
Richard Milhous Nixon was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. The only president to resign the office, Nixon had previously served as a US representative and senator from California and as the 36th Vice President of the United States from 1953 to 1961 under...
on July 15, 1972, and signed by Navy Secretary John Chafee
John Chafee
John Lester Hubbard Chafee was an American politician. He served as an officer in the United States Marine Corps, as the 66th Governor of Rhode Island, as the Secretary of the Navy, and as a United States Senator.-Early life and family:...
. Later Powell claimed he lost the original certificate concerning the medal when his basement was flooded. During a 2007 Memorial Day speech, which was videotaped, Powell said he served three tours in Vietnam and one in Iraq. As late as August 2007, Powell was still wearing his Medal of Honor when he attempted to speak at a VFW
VFW
VFW may refer to:*Vereinigte Flugtechnische Werke*Veterans of Foreign Wars*Veterans of Future Wars*Video for Windows*VFW Parkway...
post only to be rebuffed. Powell has been charged with unlawfully wearing the Medal of Honor, according to documents made public. If convicted, he faces up to a $100,000 fine and a year in prison.
See also
- Richard BlumenthalRichard BlumenthalRichard Blumenthal is the junior United States Senator from Connecticut and a member of the Democratic Party. Previously, he served as Attorney General of Connecticut....
- Paul H. Lemmen
- Jesse Macbeth
- Walter K. Carlson
- Wes CooleyWes CooleyWester Shadric "Wes" Cooley was a Republican politician and rancher from Oregon. He was a U.S. Representative from for the 1995–1997 term.-Early life:...