Discharged Marine says he lied about valor

Discharged Marine says he lied about valor
The Associated Press
Posted : Monday Dec 21, 2009 12:09:03 EST

UNION CITY, Tenn. — A separated Marine who says he lied about earning a Purple Heart while serving in Afghanistan faces charges of misrepresentation of decorations in Obion County.

The Union City Daily Messenger reported that James Randall Stewart, 24, told his story of heroism to the Rev. James Kinsey, whose Open Door Ministry helped Stewart get an apartment and a job. But after Stewart’s story appeared on the front page of the Daily Messenger earlier this month, the story began to unravel.

Obion County Sheriff’s Department investigator William Sanford said documents show Stewart served a little more than eight months in the Corps before he was discharged under other-than-honorable conditions.

Stewart, formerly of Hickman, Ky., was arraigned last week and has a Dec. 29 court date.

Kinsey said he feels hurt but is still willing to help Stewart straighten out his life.


Article at: http://marinecorpstimes.com/news/2009/12/ap_marine_faking_valor_122109/