Looking for some help exposing a fraud claiming to be in Beirut in 83

10/23/12 | Abathar

[Abathar]

I was wondering if anyone had information on the Marines who were stationed in Beirut 30 years ago today when it was attacked, perhaps a list of survivors or those who received a metal for valor on that day.

A former employee of mine who left the business about 10 years ago has it on his Facebook page that he was not only there, but received a metal from then President Reagan for heroism. I hired him and worked side by side for 2 years with him, heard all his stories and he never ONCE mentioned this to me. I know he got a dishonorable discharge for desertion when he refused to deploy to the Philippines, but the thing that really gets my goat was we graduated HS both in the class of 83. He told me he was an NBC specialist who mostly ran tear gas testing drills later, but he is so full of [crap] that I want to really blast him for claiming this if it wasn't true, but I won't unless I have some kind of proof.

If anyone knows of any info out there with names of those who served while it was attacked that would be great.

Thanks

[DesertRhino]

If he put on his facebook page that he got a medal, it’s damn near a sure bet he’s a liar.

[februus]

Contact the 850-member Beirut Veterans of America Organization founded by one of the mothers of a slain Marine, Judy Young

http://www.beirutveterans.org/news.htm

[GeronL]

Does he claim to have been in the 24th MEU?

[Carriage Hill]

RecordsBase.com...

Find the name of any US Marine Military Records:

http://www.recordsbase.com/?act=military&fc=93&fck=marine&utm_source=adw&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=military&creativeid=g10176097184&utm_term=list%20of%20marines&group=adw-marines&network=s&site=&ran=1499377651349548828&target=&aceid=&asl=[name]&pos=1t1&mob=&match=b&gclid=CKXI3tSNmLMCFUid4AodzyIA7g

[Carriage Hill]

24th MAU:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beirut_Memorial

[raybbr]

Ping

[raybbr]

Ping

[Rebelbase]

Please report back if you are able to nail this guy.

[ConservativeInPA]

If he put on his facebook page that he got a medal, it’s damn near a sure bet he’s a liar.

This is so very true. Real heroes generally do not like to discuss these things. Look at John F'ing Kerry as an anti-pattern. Try talking to most WWII vet and try to pry a story out of them. I have a great uncle who served on Iwo Jima and he never talks about his service. I have actually found our more about his service by researching genealogy on the Internet than he has told me personally.

[Pentagon Leatherneck]

"I know he got a dishonorable discharge for desertion when he refused to deploy to the Philippines You hired a guy with a DD? A felony? You must be a very good friend; why would he lie to a very good friend? TC

[FerociousRabbit]

I don’t mean to sound like the spelling police but it is “medal,” not “metal.”

The first one I figured was a typo but then it appeared again as “metal.”

Now that we have that out of the way — I hope you nail him.

[hitkicker]

I served in the Navy Phibgru that supported 24th MAU. (I was on the U.S.S. Austin LPD-4).

We were relieved in November 1983 by the 22nd MAU, which had been delayed in arriving because they participated in the invasion of Grenada. That was the last MAU to be part of the Multinational Peacekeeping Force.

So this guy who graduated HS in '83 would have had to get through boot camp and all of his additional training (I was a squid so I don't know what all that would be, but if he was an "NBC specialist" there had to be some) in time to depart Morehead City NC in October. That's a tight window; somebody who was a Marine in those days would have to say if it's truly possible.

[RaceBannon]

freep mail me the info, I have friends....

[central_va]

I was there and listening to the secure net radio traffic asking around to all units how many body bags they had on hand. The USS New Jersey replied they had 25 body bags in their sick bay. The reply to that was its not nearly enough. Creepy, sad day.

[jettester]

Ask to see his DD214. It will list all of the medals he was awarded plus confirm his occupation (MOS).

[PLMerite]

A friend of mine, now deceased, was on the Ricketts (DDG-5) off Beirut in ‘83. He said he and others were helicoptered in after the bombing for rescue/recovery. Said he saw things he didn’t want to see again.

[Figment]

Folks over at stolen valor could be of help. I’ve worked with these types too. They’re very annoying and usually obvious fakes

[Always A Marine]

I was there, Abathar. 24th MAU was comprised of BLT 1/8, HMM-162 (Rein) and MSSG-24 (the Ground Combat, Air Combat, and Combat Service Support elements, respectively). Did this guy specify which element he served with?

[Abathar]

No he didn’t, but I’m still looking though, I fully intend on busting him.