Maryland Governor Wes Moore, a rising star in the Democratic Party, has acknowledged making an "honest mistake" by falsely stating on a White House fellowship application that he had received a Bronze Star for his military service in Afghanistan.
According to a report by Daily Mail Online, the New York Times obtained a copy of Moore's 2006 application through a Freedom of Information Act request, revealing the inaccurate claim.
Moore, who was 27 at the time of the application, explained that he had been encouraged to include the Bronze Star on his application by his deputy brigade commander. The governor stated that he had been recommended for the award and was told by senior officers that they had approved the commendation.
However, Moore later learned that he did not actually receive the Bronze Star, which is awarded for meritorious service in combat zones.
In response to the revelation, Governor Moore expressed regret for not correcting the information on his application. He stated:
Still, I sincerely wish I had gone back to correct the note on my application. It was an honest mistake, and I regret not making that correction.
Moore emphasized that in the military, there is an understanding that if a senior officer confirms an action is approved, it can be trusted as fact. This, he explained, was why he included the award on his application.
The governor also noted that his officer evaluation report listed him as a top 1% officer in Operation Enduring Freedom, highlighting his commendable service record despite the Bronze Star discrepancy.
The Daily Mail report mentions that the New York Times spoke with Lieutenant General Michael Fenzel, the officer who Moore said had recommended including the Bronze Star on his application. Fenzel, now serving as the United States security coordinator for Israel and the Palestinian Authority, confirmed that he had told Moore it was appropriate to include the award on his application, believing it would be processed by the time his fellowship began.
This disclosure comes in the wake of Moore's recent speech at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. The Bronze Star had been mentioned in media interviews during Moore's 2022 gubernatorial campaign, but the governor had not previously clarified that he had not actually received the commendation.
The revelation about Moore's Bronze Star claim raises questions about the potential impact on his political career. As a rising star in the Democratic Party, often compared to former President Barack Obama, Moore's credibility and integrity are crucial to his public image and future political aspirations.
This incident underscores the importance of accuracy in public figures' representations of their military service and accomplishments. It also highlights the challenges politicians face in managing their public personas and responding to scrutiny of their past statements and actions.
While Moore has taken responsibility for the mistake and offered an explanation, it remains to be seen how this disclosure will affect public perception and his political future. The governor's handling of the situation and his transparency in addressing the issue will likely play a significant role in shaping the narrative moving forward.
Governor Wes Moore has admitted to falsely claiming he received a Bronze Star on a White House fellowship application in 2006. He attributes this to an "honest mistake" based on information from senior officers. Moore expressed regret for not correcting the application and provided context for the misunderstanding. The incident has raised questions about the accuracy of public figures' representations of their military service and may impact Moore's political career.
