WHAT A HEEL: Semper Fi(nk)
As a post-traumatic stress disorder patient at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Marine Sgt. David W. Budwah’s therapy included attending and speaking at events designed to honor the sacrifices of war veterans. But Budwah was neither ailing - he wanted to get out of the Marines – nor a war hero, reports The Associated Press, which pieced together an unusual tale of deception with the help of documents obtained via a Freedom of Information Act request:
With his clear gaze, rigid posture and muscled, tattooed arms, Budwah looked every inch the hero he claimed to be. He said he was on his second tour of duty in Afghanistan when a homemade grenade exploded, wounding his face and arm when he dove to shield a buddy from the blast.
He urged the boys, ages 9-12, to take pride in themselves, their country and its warriors.
"We're here to make sure of the freedom you have every day," Budwah told his audience at Camp West Mar, a wooded American Legion compound about 60 miles northwest of Washington.
Spencer Shoemaker, then 10, was so impressed he had his picture taken with Budwah and kept a treasured newspaper clipping about the visit.
"What he said made me feel like I wanted to join the Marines," Spencer said.
But the Marines say Budwah is a liar, a fraud and a thief. They are court-martialing the 34-year-old Springhill, La., native, alleging he was never in Afghanistan, wasn't wounded and didn't earn the combat medals he wore - or the many privileges he enjoyed. …
The charges include making false official statements, malingering, misconduct and larceny. Budwah faces up to 31 1/2 years in prison and a dishonorable discharge if convicted on all eight counts at a trial set for Oct. 20. at Quantico.
A year after Budwah's speech to the youngsters at the American Legion camp, Spencer Shoemaker sat stunned in the family's kitchen as he read the charges against his Marine idol for the first time.
"Well, it's better that I know," the boy said after a long silence. "It did tear me down, but I'll still join the Marines."
His father Michael, a construction worker, seethed at the news about Budwah.
"He scammed America," Shoemaker said. "He scammed a kid."
"He scammed a kid." You can't get much lower than that.
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