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Yet another senior (former) army officer has affirmed that City Council candidate David Oh did not misstate his military credentials, contrary to several news articles and attacks by accusers suggesting that Oh's campaign materials were misleading in saying that Oh was a Special Forces officer or a "Green Beret."
(Oh was designated a Special Forces officer while serving in the Maryland National Guard and was assigned a Green Beret; the term Green Beret, however, now refers to offices who complete rigorous specialized training to become "tabbed" or "qualified" Special Forces officers, which Oh was not)
Yesterday, a piece on this blog cited various members of local veterans groups defending David Oh's military record and stating that they felt the recent controversy over supposed misstatements by Oh were part of a political "smear campaign" to bring the candidate down.
Nick Panarella, a retired army captain, Vietnam War veteran, and member of the U.S. Special Forces — and the man who recruited Oh from his career as an Assistant District Attorney into the Maryland National Guard — agrees.
Panarella says he takes "stolen valor" questions seriously indeed: he' describes himself as the "point man" for the Special Forces Association's lobbying the federal government to make lying about military credentials a crime (the issue is now before the Supreme Court).
But Oh, he says, has not misrepresented himself.
"David was a member of the Special Forces unit," Panarella confirms. "When David served int he Maryland National Guard he had a right to wear a green beret."
"And I find it appalling that people who didn't serve are questioning the quality of his service," Panarella adds."He put his whole legal career on hold ... he served — this is a success story, and I'm proud of David ... Had a few things gone wrong [in Operation Desert Storm, for which Oh was activated] he would have been over there."
Click here for: "Who's behind the attacks on David Oh — and why?"
Follow Hall Monitor Isaiah Thompson here and on Twitter.
Isaiah, thank you so much for bringing justice to the unfair attacks on David Oh's reputation. I will put my reputation behind David Oh. David has worked very hard to stay upbeat and positive despite the really dirty tricks that were used against him. I urge people to elect David Oh on November 8th. David has the energy, independence and intelligence to help us improve our schools, keep our streets safe, and foster an environment of job growth.— featherman- Fair enough Mr. Panarella:
By your statement, he (Mr Oh)," would have been over there ". I am assuming by " there " you mean Desert Storm. You have confirmed that David Oh lied aboout his serving in Operatopn Desert Storm. Thank you for confirming what our veterans already knew. By the way Mr Panarella, you questioned those of us who " never served ". Specifically who were you referring to? We'll be glad to respond to that.
Joe Eastman
United States Navy (Retired)— Joe Eastman - Mr. Panarella:
Specifically addressing those who never served: Are 4 Purple Hearts, 3 disabled veterans, members of the 82nd and 101st Airborne, Army Special Forces and the Big Red One, veterans of the Vietnam War, Desert Storm and Iraq, veterans of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines, a Marine who persoanlly got his fellow Marines out of a jungle alive when surrounded by the enemy...is that enough service for you? Also, Nick is there anything in your background the readers should know about? Any further questions Captain?
Joe Eastman
United States Navy (Retired)
— Joe Eastman
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