Governor Apologizes For Military Award Claim

Hello everyone, let’s dive into a story that has stirred up some controversy involving Maryland Governor Wes Moore. Recently, Moore, who is considered a rising star in the Democratic Party, found himself in hot water over a claim he made more than a decade ago on a White House Fellowship application. The issue? He mistakenly stated that he had been awarded a Bronze Star—a prestigious military honor he never actually received.

Here’s the background: Moore served in the Army Reserve from 1996 to 2014, including a deployment to Afghanistan in 2005. During his time in service, he earned multiple awards, such as the National Defense Service Medal. However, in a 2006 application for the White House Fellowship, he wrote that he had been awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Combat Action Badge for his work with the 82nd Airborne Division. This information came to light through an investigation by The New York Times, which revealed that Moore was never awarded the Bronze Star.

In response, Moore issued a statement on Thursday, calling the error an “honest mistake.” He explained that his deputy brigade commander had encouraged him to include the Bronze Star in his application, believing it had been approved. Moore stated that two other senior officers had also confirmed the commendation, which is why he felt confident listing it on his application.

Lieutenant General Michael Fenzel, a mentor to Moore, backed up Moore’s account, telling The New York Times that he had informed Moore that the award had been approved. Fenzel only recently learned that the Bronze Star had never been officially awarded. Moore emphasized that in the military, it’s common to trust senior officers when they say an action has been approved, which is why he included the Bronze Star in his application.

Despite the explanation, this isn’t the first time the claim has surfaced. Moore had multiple opportunities over the years to correct the record, including during a 2008 PBS panel discussion and a 2010 appearance on The Colbert Report. Critics argue that these missed opportunities raise questions about why the error was not addressed sooner.

In his statement, Moore reaffirmed his pride in his military service and his commitment to the values he learned in the Army—values that he says continue to guide him as governor. He also took the opportunity to push back against those who, in his view, are trying to undermine his service record for political gain.

Interestingly, Moore’s statement also touched on the broader issue of veterans’ integrity being questioned in politics, a point that connects to another ongoing controversy involving Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Vice President Kamala Harris’s running mate.

Walz, like Moore, has faced scrutiny over his military service, particularly from GOP vice presidential nominee Senator JD Vance, a Marine veteran. Vance has accused Walz of misrepresenting his time in the National Guard.

Moore’s support for Walz was clear as he condemned the attacks on veterans’ records for political purposes. He emphasized that true patriots—those who have worn the uniform and served their country—aren’t easily shaken by such attacks. Instead, they remain focused on their work and their commitment to the nation.