'Outright disgrace': JD Vance disrespects veterans' code in attack
against Tim Walz
Army Major General Randy Manner (retired)
Updated August 17, 2024�4 min read
3

In a move that crosses the line from political rivalry to outright
disgrace, JD Vance, Donald Trump�s potential vice president, has accused
Tim Walz, Kamala Harris�s choice for Vice President, of �stolen valor.�
This baseless and inflammatory charge not only disrespects the shared
code of honor among veterans but also dangerously trivializes the very
concept of stolen valor. What Vance has done is more than just ugly �
it�s a deliberate attempt to undermine the dignity of military service
and exploit it for political gain.

Both Vance and Walz served honorably in the United States military, with
Vance completing four years in the U.S. Marine Corps and Walz dedicating
24 years to the Army National Guard. Despite their shared commitment to
the nation, Vance has recklessly alleged that Walz chose to retire from
the National Guard to avoid a deployment to Iraq. This unfounded
accusation is particularly egregious coming from someone whose own
running mate avoided service in Vietnam through five deferments.
Republican Sen. JD Vance, right, has criticized the military service
record of Minnesota's Democratic Gov. Tim Walz. The men are running for
vice president of their parties.
Republican Sen. JD Vance, right, has criticized the military service
record of Minnesota's Democratic Gov. Tim Walz. The men are running for
vice president of their parties.

Vance�s claim is not just unsubstantiated by official records; it�s a
deliberate attempt to undermine Walz�s long and honorable military
service. In an era where political rhetoric has become increasingly
toxic, Vance�s willingness to casually hurl such a serious accusation is
beyond irresponsible � it�s a stain on the dignity of all who have worn
the uniform.

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Here is what 'stolen valor' really means in U.S. military service

�Stolen valor� is a term that carries significant weight, referring to
the unethical and illegal act of falsely claiming military service, rank
or awards for personal gain. The Stolen Valor Act of 2013 made it a
federal crime to fraudulently claim to have received certain military
decorations or medals to obtain money, property or other tangible
benefits. The law specifically targets false claims about receiving
prestigious awards such as the Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service
Cross, and Purple Heart, among others.

The purpose of this law is clear: to protect the integrity and honor
associated with military service. False claims of valor not only insult
the sacrifices made by genuine service members but also erode public
trust in the military. When such falsehoods go unchecked, they diminish
the respect and admiration society rightly holds for those who have
served, especially those who have paid the ultimate price.

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For veterans, military service is a sacred duty. Whether they served in
combat or supported those who did, they sacrificed their freedom, comfort
and sometimes their safety or lives. This is not something to be taken
lightly, nor should it be used as a cheap political tactic to score
points. Calling out real instances of stolen valor is crucial because it
preserves the trust society places in veterans and ensures that the
recognition they receive is genuinely earned.
Vance accusation reeks of dishonest 'swift boat' attacks

But Vance�s accusation against Walz doesn�t appear to stem from a noble
desire to protect the honor of military service. Instead, it reeks of the
same underhanded tactics that gave rise to the term �Swift boating.� In
2004, a politically motivated group of Vietnam War veterans attempted to
discredit then-presidential candidate John Kerry's military service.
Despite being discredited by official records and those who served
alongside Kerry, their smear campaign cast doubt on his service and
sullied the public�s perception of a decorated veteran. The term �Swift
boating� has since become synonymous with dishonest political attacks.

As a Yale-educated lawyer, lawmaker, and former military journalist, JD
Vance should know better. He understands the weight of words and the
importance of truth. It�s bad enough when politicians deliberately
distort language to mislead the public, but it�s downright disgraceful
when a veteran does so to tarnish the reputation of another veteran.

In a time when the respect and support for our veterans should be
unwavering, Vance�s baseless accusations serve only to divide and
diminish the sacrifices of those who have truly earned their place among
America�s honored warriors. It�s a shameful tactic that has no place in
our politics or in our discourse about those who have served.

If JD Vance wants to be taken seriously as a leader, he needs to start by
respecting the truth and the service of others. The American people, and
especially our veterans, deserve better than this kind of disgraceful
rhetoric.

Randy Manner is a retired Army Major General whose career spans military,
government, business, and academia. He served as Deputy Commanding
General of the United States 3rd Army and Deputy Director of the Defense
Threat Reduction Agency, playing pivotal roles in major operations such
as facilitating the U.S. forces' withdrawal from Iraq and coordinating
emergency responses to natural disasters.

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Why JD
Vance's attack on Tim Walz hurts all military veterans