Can someone help me with a possible false vet status claim?

PO1 Nathan Watts — Sat, 05 May 2018 10:08:48 -0400

I live in a small town named Peachtree City.
We have an individual here who is running for City Councel and claims to be a Navy Veteran.
I have very strong inclinations that this is false and would like help in uncovering the truth as quickly as possible.
His name is Don Haddix and was born in 1951.
Thank you *VERY* much!!

Response by MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P made May 5 at 2018 10:18 AM

MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P — Sat, 05 May 2018 10:18:07 -0400

PO1 Nathan Watts - Easiest way is to ask him to provide a copy of his DD-214. If he's reluctant or refuses, you'll have your answer.

Response by PO1 Nathan Watts made May 5 at 2018 11:46 AM

PO1 Nathan Watts — Sat, 05 May 2018 11:46:59 -0400

If the guy was just some smackhead working as a Walmart greeter I wouldn't care.
The man is running for office and part of his platform is being a Vet - so I have a very specific interest in finding out the truth.

Response by PFC Pamala (Hall) Foster made May 6 at 2018 11:38 AM

PFC Pamala (Hall) Foster — Sun, 06 May 2018 11:38:03 -0400

Don Shipley is the only person that comes to mind. http://www.extremesealexperience.com/Fake-Navy-Seal-Verification This is his information.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made May 7 at 2018 9:19 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 07 May 2018 09:19:28 -0400

Obviously a DD-214 would clear it all up. The fact that he appears to be evading this question is very telling. However, I would advise caution, dignity and respect towards resolving this issue. If he served nearly fifty years ago...it's conceivable that he's not bothered to retain a copy all these decades since. It's also possible that he may construe attempts by individuals to obtain this information as intrusive and potentially fraudulent. If someone I didn't know sent me a message asking for my DD-214, I'd never provide it without validating their own affiliations and reasons.

We all know what the odds are on this one...but I always try to remind fellow veterans of more recent generations that a lot's changed, and when validating older "vets"...there is always the risk of getting it wrong with mutually negative results.

If he has a campaign manager or office, it may be constructive to have an election official pursue validation through them. If he is a legitimate veteran, then he should he able to provide some form of validation...and I would anticipate anyone capable of running for a significant municipal office SHOULD be capable of obtaining a copy of their DD-214 or other documentation.

Short of that, he should be able to answer specific questions about where/when he served, what his rate was, significant details regarding his time of service. Bear in mind that when it comes to fraudulent claims, there's two kinds of "stolen valor"...those who claim to have served who never did...and those who exaggerate or lie about the service they did complete.

Response by PO1 Nathan Watts made May 7 at 2018 12:15 PM

PO1 Nathan Watts — Mon, 07 May 2018 12:15:00 -0400

Please stop going to Mr. Haddix's page and challenging him directly.
I only asked how I could go about verifying his claim - there is no reason to make this ugly.
We will find out the truth soon enough.

Response by SFC Kelly Fuerhoff made May 7 at 2018 1:41 PM

SFC Kelly Fuerhoff — Mon, 07 May 2018 13:41:40 -0400

Look up the Stolen Valor page on Facebook - they have people who have a lot of resources to call out people who are faking service or lying about it.

Or tip off the media - they'll ask him point blank too.

Response by SFC Kelly Fuerhoff made May 7 at 2018 1:52 PM

SFC Kelly Fuerhoff — Mon, 07 May 2018 13:52:46 -0400

Why is this just coming up now? He was mayor in 2011. He was on the City Council from 2008-09. He got sued in 2011 for libel by the previous mayor over an email. Got voted out in 2013. It seems like he probably won't make it very far in this run to office again after what I've seen about him online in articles.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made May 7 at 2018 4:41 PM

SGT Dave Tracy — Mon, 07 May 2018 16:41:23 -0400

In your place I'd tread carefully here.

There are a lot of folks who have some psychological need to embellish or outright lie about military service, and I see nothing wrong with pointing them out; especially if they're trading on their "veteran" status to win elected office. That said, too often the Guardians of Stolen Valor--self-appointed of course--get it wrong, and when they get it wrong, they do so publically and a legitimate Sm or vet has to deal with the consequences. I'm glad you are looking for something tangible to cite; whereas too many just make accusations based on mere feelings.

If this guy is lying, I hope you find evidence that backs your inclinations, and you rightly call him out. If he's legitimate, then it is what it is, and no accusations need be made.

However it shakes out, good luck.

Response by SGT Jim Humphrey made May 10 at 2018 7:45 PM

SGT Jim Humphrey — Thu, 10 May 2018 19:45:08 -0400

Send a note to "Military Phonies " on FB They will get his 214 and other records.

Response by SPC Chad Robinson made May 10 at 2018 10:15 PM

SPC Chad Robinson — Thu, 10 May 2018 22:15:52 -0400

Aaaand the poser blocked me. Speaks volumes. Dude is a phony.

Response by SPC Michael Dillon made May 11 at 2018 12:09 PM

SPC Michael Dillon — Fri, 11 May 2018 12:09:39 -0400

SEND INVITE FROM RALLYPOINT AND HAVE HIM VERIFY THAT HE HIS INDEED A VETERAN.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2018 8:05 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Aug 2018 08:05:10 -0400

You can order military records from World War I to the present from the National Personnel Records Center-Military Personnel Records (NPRC-MPR). Types of records available include: Military Discharge Records (DD-214) Health and medical records of discharged and deceased veterans.

https://www.usa.gov/veterans-documents

veterans-documents

Response by PO2 Kevin Henneberry made May 9 at 2019 7:58 AM

PO2 Kevin Henneberry — Thu, 09 May 2019 07:58:55 -0400

If he's running for office ina small town he must be out pushing for votes. If you see him at a rally or 'Meet and Greet' just ask him what ships he was on or where he was stationed. Just another Navy Vet who might vote for him. You don't have to challenge him outright.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2021 8:13 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 03 Sep 2021 20:13:20 -0400

Curious as to why you think he is lying about being a veteran?