Corpsman says Purple Heart legit

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Questions remain
Corpsman says Purple Heart legit in Article 32


Corpsman says Purple Heart legit
By Andrew Tilghman - Staff writer
Posted : Saturday Sep 13, 2008 7:40:09 EDT

NAVAL STATION GREAT LAKES, Ill. — Chief Hospital Corpsman Robert J. White didn’t get his purple heart under normal circumstances.

But whether he forged documents in order to wear a medal he never officially earned remained an open question at the close of his Article 32 hearing here Sept. 11.

The 42-year-old corpsman claims that on July 25, 2005, he took shrapnel in his hand during a massive mortar attack on his Marine company with 3rd Battalion, 25th Marines, a reserve unit, in Hit, Iraq. He is a full-time support sailor, according to Navy records, and was selected for senior chief in March.

More than three years after the attack, he stands accused of filing false documents, making false statements and knowingly wearing a Purple Heart he never formally received. The three charges each carry a one-year sentence and could leave the 19-year sailor with a dishonorable discharge.

White did not testify at the one-day evidentiary hearing and instead sat silently, wearing a black jacket and wire-rimmed glasses, next to his attorneys.


Rest of article at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/09/navy_corpsman_091308w/%2e