[RetiredArmy]

Does not mean that in those 25 years he might have been in a combat unit. Look at his chest in that photo of him singing. The medal closes to us appears to be a Purple Heart. It seems to have the shape of one. I cannot be sure, but it does to me.

[maine-iac7]

Look at his chest in that photo of him singing.

Looking -

No Unit citations on right side - nada

on left side (his) don't see any 'foreign engagement' or MANY other ribbons/medals one would expect to see on a 25 year vet. Looks like the few he has might be just for 'being there' every few years and/or 'good conduct' - Certainly there's not much there for 25 years service.

Sounds like he might have a braggadocio complex - (just made that up ;) - with a sub-conscious need to be recognized as 'military!'

[DJ Taylor]

"The medal closes to us appears to be a Purple Heart. It seems to have the shape of one."

The highest award ribbon he's wearing is an Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM).

[oh8eleven]

Does not mean that in those 25 years he might have been in a combat unit.
Yes it does. Had he been in combat - and even more so - if he had been wounded, he would have been identified as such, not as a freakin' choirboy.
I looked at half a dozen stories on-line and not one mentioned he did anything other than sing.