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Stolen Valor

Stolen Valor - Friday, June 19, 2009 at 12:44PM EST

Reported by: Laurie Monteforte
Friday, Jun 19, 2009 @ 12:44pm EST
BLAKESLEE, MONROE COUNTY - Vietnam Veterans in the Poconos are devastated. Eyewitness News learned a man who claimed to be one of their own is a fraud.

Eyewitness News obtained video of Jeffrey Muller strutting through Washington D. C. the picture of valor. He was confident and weighed down with prestigious medals. But was it real? Or was it all stolen valor?

For decades, Jeffrey impressed people with his Vietnam battlefield stories. He commanded the respect of a Chief Warrant Officer.

Last year he moved to the Poconos and met members of the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA). They welcomed him as a brother. Ralph Keiper said, "I thought that he was a very nice person."

Eyewitness News met with Ralph and several other VVA members who heard Jeff's heroic stories. "That he was in Special Forces that he was in Vietnam for a few years," said Debra Russo. Howard Polbos added, "He told me he was a helicopter pilot, a Warrant Officer." Marty Barret said, "He says he has purple hearts and says he has distinguished service cross - flying cross."

Jeff quickly bonded with Debra and her husband Ray Russo. "We were together almost every day," said Ray. The couple said they bought Jeff groceries. And when he struggled to pay bills the entire chapter pitched in and paid his utilities.

But many vets said something felt off. "We always tell each other welcome home shake hands and hug each other. He didn't do that," explained Barrett. Polbos also felt strange. He asked Jeff where and when he fought but never got a specific answer.

Then Jeff tried to officially join the VVA. He submitted his paperwork to Chapter President Glen Lippincott. He was shocked. He explained, "'Oh man' I said. This has blatantly been altered."

The military release paperwork Jeff submitted to the VVA claims he was an Army Special Forces Officer in Vietnam. It shows he earned the military's second highest honor, the Distinguished Service Cross. It claimed he earned Aviator Wings, a Purple Heart and other honors. It also shows he completed pilot training and two years of active service.

Eyewitness News learned he was not a Chief Warrant Officer. He was a Private First Class. Lippincott said, "He never served any real active duty."

Eyewitness News obtained Jeff's actual paperwork. The only decoration he earned was a Sharpshooter Badge. He never went to Vietnam. He never even left the United States. He was released from duty to join the National Guard after about six months. "It was one lie after the other," said Barrett.

Eyewitness News found other apparent lies. Online Jeff claims he started service in 1968. His former wife shared a video of a family visit to Washington D. C. In it you hear Jeff say he was in Vietnam in 1969. But Jeff's true paperwork shows he didn't enter the service until 1970.

VVA members call the deception a slap in the face. They said Jeff stole honor and valor from the real heroes. Barrett cried as he said, "It dishonors them."

Eyewitness News tried to get Jeff's side of the story. The man who claimed to be a brave soldier didn't answer his door or repeated phone calls.

He'll soon have to talk to authorities. The FBI is investigating him. Ray Russo said, "I'm just so mad. I just want to see him go to jail."

Other vets hope that could help them recover some stolen valor.

Jeff apparently got away with his deception for so long because he used several different last names including Carhoota and Cornplanter.
 


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