How to spot a Phony SEAL

[FistFu68]

S/Sgt.Hoover was with A CO. 3RD Recon,in 66 Then became a Mustango and later Became my CO. IN 68,Gunny Howard was with I wanna say 1St.Recon? S/F Welcome Home S/Sgt.L

[Lambert43]

Quote:

Originally Posted by FistFu68 S/Sgt.Hoover was with A CO. 3RD Recon,in 66 Then became a Mustango and later Became my CO. IN 68,Gunny Howard was with I wanna say 1St.Recon? S/F Welcome Home S/Sgt.L

FistFu68,
OK - you've jogged this old man's mind - I do know Hoover, and yes he was Co A 3rd Recon and Gunny Howard was definately Co A 5th Recon in 67 then went over to Co B 1st Recon while we were standing down at Camp Schwabb. Jimmy Howard was awarded the Medal of Honor and retired while stationed at MCRD San Diego. He worked with the VA as a counselor and also as an assistant football coach with Point Loma High School before he passed on. Semper Fi - Lambert

[FistFu68]

The CMOH I'll be damned I knew there was something Special about that Gung Ho Marine WOW

[Zulu 36]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lambert43 FistFu68, OK - you've jogged this old man's mind - I do know Hoover, and yes he was Co A 3rd Recon and Gunny Howard was definately Co A 5th Recon in 67 then went over to Co B 1st Recon while we were standing down at Camp Schwabb. Jimmy Howard was awarded the Medal of Honor and retired while stationed at MCRD San Diego. He worked with the VA as a counselor and also as an assistant football coach with Point Loma High School before he passed on. Semper Fi - Lambert

I had the honor of meeting Jimmy Howard in 1977 shortly before I got out of active duty. He was working for the VA doing, as he put it, the "dog and pony shows" on veteran's bennies and rights. He retired as a 1stSgt.

He was a good speaker and quite funny as well. He described himself as a certified underachiever, having made and lost more rank than anyone else he knew early in his career.

He admitted that the battle that he got the Blue Max for changed his "party boy" attitude and caused him to square himself away. Up until then he was just hoping to remain a career SSgt. Afterward he felt he owed it to the Marines who died fighting for him to keep his sh*t together.

I think he did.

[Lambert43]

Zulu36,
You're absolutely right on, Jimmie retired as a 1stSgt and had a sense of humor. I served with him both in Nam and MCRD and had the privilege of being at the christening on the Destroyer USS Howard (DDG-83). What a Marine he was. And it is funny that you remember him saying that he made and lost more rank than anyone he knew Ha Ha! (Actually that distinction probably belongs to Sgt Conrad Giacalone,
1st, 3rd and 5th Recon) Great memories - thanks for sharing. Semper Fi

[Marine84]

thought it was common knowledge how to spot a phony seal..............if he can't bounce the ball on his nose.

Oh wait............wrong kind of seal...................carry on

[Raevarin]

this is good stuff. Me, my wife another marine and his wife went to outback steakhouse and after we ate we went to go to our vehicles. This guy (who looked to be maybe in his late 20's), who was wearin a nasty ragged t-shirt, faded wal-mart style cammie pants walked up to us saying he was a SEAL and since we were Marines we were friends and we should give him money to eat. I asked him why he was asking us for money if he was a SEAL, and he said he got discharged for psychological reasons after a "top secret mission". We laughed, and just walked away. Come to find out the staff at outback says he comes around every now and again bugging marines, and he has been doing it for years lol

[marine226]

Had this happen a few years ago when I worked for a restaurant chain. Had a guy that professed to be a seal. Went the whole nine yards, uniform and all. Fooled me, and quite a few of my friends that were regular customers.

He did something that made one of the regulars mad and he contacted a friend of mine with the Sherriffs Department and had a check run on him. He was navy alright, but was a navy deserter pproffessing to have been a Seal.

SF

RomeoBravo out

[FistFu68]

Or put it on a Manakin and use it for Target Practice

[Integrity57]

I thought it was illegal to sell Military insignia (ribbons, medals or collar devices) to the general public?

[Integrity57]

There should be a place for Vets or their loved ones to donate their medals and such when they pass away or know their time is short. Not only are such things a commendation of their courage and service but they're pieces of history, it's a shame that they would be sold on Ebay.

[tangovictor87]

Question: There's a panhandler around my neck of the woods that wears a SEAL team 6 ballcap with a Purple Heart ribbon on it. I seriously doubt this man ever served in any branch. What's the best way to put this dirt bag away? Besides plow his ass over with my truck. Is the ribbon enough evidence to call the FBI? Should I invite him to lunch, ask to hear his "war" stories and get contact info?

[Sgt Leprechaun]

Take a photo of said bum, and foward it and your suspicions to the local FBI. Tell them you want to be informed of the outcome. Keep on them about it, too.

[doc h fmf]

I Had An Instructor In Corpman School That Was A Seal,he Was Hmcs Rather .cool As Hell. He Was Very Modest We Were All Awed With All His Decorations. We Would Ask Him About It And He Would Change The Subject. He Was My Idol

[KaosDad]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Integrity57 I thought it was illegal to sell Military insignia (ribbons, medals or collar devices) to the general public?

The only Medal or device that is expressly prohibited from being sold or traded is the MOH or anything that LOOKS like a MOH, the ribbon or rosette. You can go overseas and buy original & reproduction MsOH, but they cannot be legally brought into the US.

Now, the SVA is rather cloudy on all other medals and some states & localities take it to the extreme. However, collectors are covered in the SVA.

There is a thriving business of medal selling on e-Bay except for the PH, MOH & Bronze Star. All else is fair game.

If you try to purchase medals at the top of the order of perecedence (Navy Cross) be prepared to present proof that you are entitled to it (IF the dealer is reputable - want a Navy Cross? I'll get you one at the next gun show.)

Insignia can be had from many, many sources and, yes, they sell the same manifacturer they sell at the PX.

Uniforms? No problemo! Go to your local GoodWill, thrift store and scour the yard and estate sales. Or, just ask the serviceman yourself. Here is a partial listing of uniforms in a collector's posession:

General George Decker, ACS
General Bernard Rogers, ACS
General Jones, JCS
General Colin Powell, CJCS
General Weymand, ACS
General Earle Wheeler, CJCS

Sadly - the Brevet is not immune. I know of a couple in private collector's hands and e-Bay is selling a couple really bad knockoff medals & drapes. Oh, you want a blank certificate you say? We can do that!