Man faked Viet claims, took $30k in benefits

[USNAviator]

This stuff never seems to end. Two Navy Crosses, three SS's, Five BS's and Eight PH's ????? I guess he didn't want to over do it with an MOH <br />
<br />
Charges: Man faked Vietnam claims, took $30k <br />
<br />
<br />
...

[USNAviator]

This was Hamilton's story on May 8th 2010

"Jacksonville (http://www2.wnct.com/topics/types/city/tags/jacksonville/), N.C. (http://www2.wnct.com/topics/types/provinceorstate/tags/north-carolina/) - Michael Hamilton (http://www2.wnct.com/topics/types/person/tags/michael-hamilton/) says he lives his life for the corps.
When he was asked to speak at the Vietnam Memorial (http://www2.wnct.com/topics/types/facility/tags/vietnam-memorial/) here in Jacksonville (http://www2.wnct.com/topics/types/city/tags/jacksonville/), he gladly accepted.
He spoke about the men he lost during the Vietnam (http://www2.wnct.com/topics/types/country/tags/vietnam/) war, and the pain the soldiers that made it home experienced when they came back.
It was an emotional tale that some like former marine Joseph Houle (http://www2.wnct.com/topics/types/person/tags/joseph-houle/) didn't believe.
He says that Hamilton (http://www2.wnct.com/topics/types/person/tags/michael-hamilton/) made the whole thing up and his grandiose tales are just that, tales.
“A true American who actually did CIA (http://www2.wnct.com/topics/types/organization/tags/central-intelligence-agency/), or did anything behind enemy lines, whether it be WW2, Korea (http://www2.wnct.com/topics/types/country/tags/korea/), Vietnam (http://www2.wnct.com/topics/types/country/tags/vietnam/), Afghanistan (http://www2.wnct.com/topics/types/country/tags/afghanistan/) today, they don't wanna talk about it,” Houle (http://www2.wnct.com/topics/types/person/tags/joseph-houle/) said.
Hamilton (http://www2.wnct.com/topics/types/person/tags/michael-hamilton/) says he's no phony.
If I was gonna try to pull a hoax on somebody i put a couple of medals, you know two or three, put something on a uniform,” said Hamilton (http://www2.wnct.com/topics/types/person/tags/michael-hamilton/), “I wouldn't have all the...what my granddaughter calls bling."
He says the war left him (http://www2.wnct.com/topics/types/person/tags/michael-hamilton/) with mental and physical scars... and he wants to share his story to help soldiers just like him (http://www2.wnct.com/topics/types/person/tags/michael-hamilton/)."

[ggyoung]

What a dumb a33 in J-Ville of all places.

[FoxtrotOscar]

These TURDS should be taken out and Publicly Executed....!!!!!

[hbharrison]

If he wishs to waer the uniform then let it be that of a prison uniform with words "I Am a Lying Sack of Sh*t" on the back

[FistFu68]

:marine: LMFAO...This PUNK could have traded all that Fruit Salad in for The Congressional Jesus Christ Medal...Somebody B***H slap this Puke too My Zip Code so I can Pin another Purple Heart to His F**KING LIVER :mad: :iwo:

[advanced]

:marine: LMFAO...This PUNK could have traded all that Fruit Salad in for The Congressional Jesus Christ Medal...Somebody B***H slap this Puke too My Zip Code so I can Pin another Purple Heart to His F**KING LIVER :mad: :iwo:

Fist - Tell us how you really feel.

[usmc987332]

This was Hamilton's story on May 8th 2010

"Jacksonville (http://www2.wnct.com/topics/types/city/tags/jacksonville/), N.C. (http://www2.wnct.com/topics/types/provinceorstate/tags/north-carolina/) - Michael Hamilton (http://www2.wnct.com/topics/types/person/tags/michael-hamilton/) says he lives his life for the corps.
When he was asked to speak at the Vietnam Memorial (http://www2.wnct.com/topics/types/facility/tags/vietnam-memorial/) here in Jacksonville (http://www2.wnct.com/topics/types/city/tags/jacksonville/), he gladly accepted.
He spoke about the men he lost during the Vietnam (http://www2.wnct.com/topics/types/country/tags/vietnam/) war, and the pain the soldiers that made it home experienced when they came back.
It was an emotional tale that some like former marine Joseph Houle (http://www2.wnct.com/topics/types/person/tags/joseph-houle/) didn't believe.
He says that Hamilton (http://www2.wnct.com/topics/types/person/tags/michael-hamilton/) made the whole thing up and his grandiose tales are just that, tales.
“A true American who actually did CIA (http://www2.wnct.com/topics/types/organization/tags/central-intelligence-agency/), or did anything behind enemy lines, whether it be WW2, Korea (http://www2.wnct.com/topics/types/country/tags/korea/), Vietnam (http://www2.wnct.com/topics/types/country/tags/vietnam/), Afghanistan (http://www2.wnct.com/topics/types/country/tags/afghanistan/) today, they don't wanna talk about it,” Houle (http://www2.wnct.com/topics/types/person/tags/joseph-houle/) said.
Hamilton (http://www2.wnct.com/topics/types/person/tags/michael-hamilton/) says he's no phony.
If I was gonna try to pull a hoax on somebody i put a couple of medals, you know two or three, put something on a uniform,” said Hamilton (http://www2.wnct.com/topics/types/person/tags/michael-hamilton/), “I wouldn't have all the...what my granddaughter calls bling."
He says the war left him (http://www2.wnct.com/topics/types/person/tags/michael-hamilton/) with mental and physical scars... and he wants to share his story to help soldiers just like him (http://www2.wnct.com/topics/types/person/tags/michael-hamilton/)."
Incredible!! I know the fire of 73 burnt most records, but get compensation or a pension is not that easy. His proof had to include a number of witnesses. How was he able to fake them? Sounds like it is easier for a fake to bilke the government than it is for a true disabled to get compensation

[Ed Palmer]

http://www.nypost.com/rw/nypost/2010/10/10/news/photos_stories/10.1n007.onearmbandit2--300x300.jpg
Robert Mc Mahon appears an arm short.
http://www.nypost.com/rw/nypost/2010/10/10/news/photos_stories/10.1n007.onearmbandit1--300x300.jpg

http://www.nypost.com/rw/nypost/2010/10/10/news/photos_stories/10.1n007.onearmbandit3--300x300.jpg
At day's end, he counts his cash - with both fully functioning arms.


Semper fake!

For years, Brooklyn commuters have opened their wallets for Robert McMahon, handing cash to this heroic and heartbreaking figure, a Vietnam vet in combat fatigues, his left arm missing and his right leg crippled, as he panhandles on Ocean Parkway in Kensington.

He plays to their patriotism, having scrawled his nickname, "Rambo," on the back of his camouflage jacket, along with his years of service with the Marines and two stints in 'Nam that saw heavy action. The top of his empty left sleeve is pinned to his uniform shoulder, and he drags his bum leg behind him.


Photos: Alex Rud
Robert Mc Mahon appears an arm short.

While begging for cash in Brooklyn, he plays up his phony stints in Vietnam.

At day's end, he counts his cash - with both fully functioning arms.
When drivers stop for red lights, McMahon, 53, hobbles over and salutes gallantly, juggling a paper cup and a cardboard sign that reads, "Vietnam vet." They give freely.

They are being scammed.

McMahon has two arms -- and was seen using them last week to count the wads of cash he took off kindhearted New Yorkers.

He is not crippled, as was readily apparent when he swiftly dodged inquiring Post reporters.

And it seems he never served in the Marines nor in Vietnam, according to Corps and Veterans Administration officials who could not find any record of him.

But he carries on with his wounded-soldier act, day after day, weaving through traffic and occasionally cursing out people who refuse to give. He's been at it since at least 1987, when he pretended to have a missing leg and pushed himself around in a rusty wheelchair, according to a friend.

Tuesday, The Post spotted the bearded, one-armed bandit at 4:30 p.m. at Ocean and Foster Avenue, where he limped over to the windows of idling vehicles and held up his cup.

Many gave dollar bills. He yelled an expletive at a driver who turned him away.

Some gazed at the back of his jacket, which claims he served in Vietnam from 1972 to '73.

At 5:09 p.m., McMahon quit for the day, darted across Ocean Parkway's seven lanes with surprising agility and walked briskly east along Foster.

Two blocks later, McMahon adjusted himself and quickly thrust his left arm out from under his jacket. He used both hands to count his cash.

When he realized a photographer was taking his picture, McMahon tried to hide his left arm by putting it behind his back, then spat and screamed obscenities at the lensman, threatening to kill him. "I'll put a bullet in the back of your head," he howled.

The ugly scene was not unfamiliar to police and prosecutors.

They say McMahon is a menace with a rap sheet of 20 arrests, many for disorderly conduct and "fraudulent accosting" -- legalspeak for scamming victims on the street. His most recent collar came on May 27, when 66th Precinct cops found him blocking traffic at Ocean Parkway and Beverly Road at 12:50 p.m.

Wednesday, a reporter posing as a passer-by asked how he lost his limb. He winced in mock pain: "I don't like to talk about it."

Asked about his service, he claimed he was with the Marines' 2nd Division and fought in Vietnam in 1972 and '73.

Robert Gainey, a 68-year-old vet who did two tours in Vietnam as an explosives expert, has known McMahon for 23 years -- and doubts he was in the war.

"Us guys who are still around, we can spot each other right away," he said. "We've talked about the war. And he's said things to me that you can read in a book or see in the movies. He didn't say anything to convince me he was really there."

Gainey said he first spotted McMahon in 1987 in a wheelchair on the Manhattan side of the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel, pushing himself among motorists and begging for money.

"He had his leg tucked up underneath him," said Gainey. "He was pretending he lost it. Later I saw him around here and said, 'Oh, s--t, this guy's from Brooklyn.' "

The leg apparently recovered. But then the arm went.

"He's been doing the fake-arm thing for at least 20 years," said Gainey. "He's crazy as a bat. Everyone around here knows about it."

Additional reporting by Susannah Cahalan

brad.hamilton@nypost.com

[bootlace15]

Bob, you got that right. Seems like somebody needs to take a few sewing needles and a hammer and drive the needles into his balls.

[doc h fmf]

If He Wants Those Navy Crosses And 8 Phs,then We Should Send Him To Afganistan And He Can Earn Them

[jamielang1951]

I just saw that on Fox Ed. Hard to believe the extent some people will go for a few bucks.
I remember where 1st MarDiv. was, just up the hill from Freedom Hill.

[hbharrison]

Incredible!! I know the fire of 73 burnt most records, but get compensation or a pension is not that easy. His proof had to include a number of witnesses. How was he able to fake them? Sounds like it is easier for a fake to bilke the government than it is for a true disabled to get compensation

Checked a year ago about the records that were burnt in 73 according to them, "records dept people" they were Army records form WW1/WW2 only all others were not hurt.

[ShannonL]

Greed Marine. The problem is, Well Julius The Caeser of Rome said..."The gods allow the wicked to achive everything thier hearts desire, thier comforts and pleasures. When they are truely happy and comfortable with thier riches and circumstance. The gods rip it all way and plunge them into living hell. Where they truely suffer."

The wheel turns. His day will come.

[USNAviator]

The link below is an interview with the poser Michael Hamilton. It runs about two minutes

http://www2.wnct.com/news/2010/may/08/exclusive_accused_marine_phoney_speaks_to_wnct-ar-167895/

[USNAviator]

http://images.onset.freedom.com/jdn/l4qjs8-l4qjrhhamilton.jpg

[hbharrison]

WOW this guy just will not give up, what is he trying for Chesty's record?

[USNAviator]

WOW this guy just will not give up, what is he trying for Chesty's record?

Butch, what's that next to the Navy Cross? I can see the Silver star, the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. I wonder if he came on LN and used the ribbon checker?

[usmc987332]

Fakes are every where. Some do it for money, and others do it for other reasons. Last Christmas one of my youngsters gave a set of DVDs to me titled "Iwo Jima: 36 Days of Hell. Well, I sat myself down and cranked up my TV. I was very impressed by the program. In fact, it was one of the best I had seen. About half way the first DVD Gerald Copeland pops up. We were both in the 31st Replacement Draft, and I knew him well. On Iwo, we both wound up in B Company of the 28th Marines. He opened his mouth and out came the BS. For me this completely destroyed the program. He is one of those men who never really adapted to battle, but according to him, he wiped our fifteen Japs out on two different occasions.

You fellows that have been there, know unfounded rumors do fly. One of the rumors circulated was that some Marines were boiling Jap heads and selling their skulls. He claims to have come upon them on Iwo. I was everywhere he was, and did not see any heads being boiled and know for sure he never killed any 30 Japs. In fact, I don't believe he ever had nerve to shoot his rifle in their direction.

What bothers me, is the producer should have reconized his claims for what they were and edited him from the program.

By the way, when we were on our way up the mountain to Camp Tarawa aboard a sugar cane car, there was a skull on the end of a long pole.

[hbharrison]

Butch, what's that next to the Navy Cross? I can see the Silver star, the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. I wonder if he came on LN and used the ribbon checker?

"Defence Distinguished Service Metal" still trying to see what some of the others are.

[USNAviator]

Fakes are every where. Some do it for money, and others do it for other reasons.

What bothers me, is the producer should have reconized his claims for what they were and edited him from the program.
.

Unfortunately Bob they didn't bother to check because they knew such lurid tales would sell. But Copeland did something worse, he sold his honor and the trust of his fellow Marines

[usmc987332]

Unfortunately Bob they didn't bother to check because they knew such lurid tales would sell. But Copeland did something worse, he sold his honor and the trust of his fellow Marines
I am not being vindicative when I say this, but I don't think Gerald ever had any honor.

[USNAviator]

I am not being vindicative when I say this, but I don't think Gerald ever had any honor.

Understood. Did they interview Gagnon for that series? Or would you know? He probably could have used the few bucks they gave out

[usmc987332]

Understood. Did they interview Gagnon for that series? Or would you know? He probably could have used the few bucks they gave out
I doubt they could afford Gagnon. It is unlikely that the Iwo Marines were compensated. It was the chance Copeland had been waiting for. He would probably paid for the chance to be heard. Except for a few little errors, the others sounded credible to me. Embelished a little here and there maybe.

[USNAviator]

I doubt they could afford Gagnon. It is unlikely that the Iwo Marines were compensated. It was the chance Copeland had been waiting for. He would probably paid for the chance to be heard. Except for a few little errors, the others sounded credible to me. Embelished a little here and there maybe.

No doubt by the time that DVD came out Gagnon was near the bottom of the heap. I don't wish that on any man. Copeland you knew obviously and your lack of respect for him is noted

A friend sent this link to me from the Naval Academy. It's short but I'm passing it on to you

https://www.usna.com/SSLPage.aspx?rss=whatsnew_arch&referrer=&pid=10023

[USNAviator]

Just ran across this. I thought it was part of "To the Shores of Iwo Jima" but I was wrong

Bob Allen if your around you might want to take a look at this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWcDIMrd6eE

[usmc987332]

No doubt by the time that DVD came out Gagnon was near the bottom of the heap. I don't wish that on any man. Copeland you knew obviously and your lack of respect for him is noted

A friend sent this link to me from the Naval Academy. It's short but I'm passing it on to you

https://www.usna.com/SSLPage.aspx?rss=whatsnew_arch&referrer=&pid=10023
Thanks for both links. As you know, General Haynes was a Captain and Staff Officer with the 28th Marines. The film clip was filled with very good footage of the battle, but was somewhat weak with way the footage was organized. Again, the footage was excellent.

Haynes book, "The Lions of Iwo Jima," is well worth reading.

[usmc987332]

http://images.onset.freedom.com/jdn/l4qjs8-l4qjrhhamilton.jpg
Can't identify all of his medals, but he did not miss many. One comment, I have not research to see if the Paramarines were reorganized during his time, but they were disbanded in 1944.