Additional Coverage:
Republican JD Vance is accusing Democrat Tim Walz of “stolen valor,” a serious claim that Walz’s supporters argue is excessive.
The accusation carries potential legal ramifications, as it is against federal law to fabricate military service to deceive others. Although there’s no proof that Walz committed such an offense, there has been scrutiny over his portrayal of his service, including statements claiming he bore arms “in war,” despite not participating in direct combat.
The Harris-Walz campaign responded stating, “Governor Walz, during his 24-year military career, frequently handled, discharged, and instructed on the use of military weapons. He respects all American military contributions, including Senator Vance’s sacrifices for our nation.”
Here’s what to know:
Walz concluded his Army National Guard career as tensions in Iraq intensified to pursue a political role. By 2005, his 24-year service earned him the rank of command sergeant major, the senior-most enlisted level at his unit. His potential deployment loomed as the Pentagon hoped U.S. forces in Iraq would stabilize the nascent government and forestall civil strife.
A vocal opponent of the Bush administration’s warfare strategies and father to a young daughter, Walz chose to retire in May of that year and entered politics. He succeeded in converting a Minnesota House seat from Republican to Democrat, marking a significant shift and making him one of the highest-ranked enlisted veterans in Congress.
According to National Guard records, Walz’s 1st Battalion of the 125th Field Artillery received a deployment alert in July 2005, a few months post his retirement, with official mobilization occurring by October.
Joseph Eustice, a peer retired command sergeant major who served with Walz, clarified to ABC News that definitive deployment plans for their unit were not confirmed until after Walz had already exited.
Vance criticized Walz’s decision to leave as his unit prepared for deployment, labeling it as dishonorable.
The official stance from the White House through Press Secretary Karine Jean Pierre highlights Walz’s extensive commitment, starting at age 17 and spanning over two decades with the Army National Guard.
There is no indication Walz acted improperly by retiring when he did. Despite acquiring the rank of command sergeant major in September 2004, he needed three years in that role to officially retain it into retirement—a threshold he did not meet.
Additionally, Walz has been quoted discussing carrying firearms “in war,” although he acknowledged never being in active combat—a statement he made during a 2018 Minnesota Public Radio interview. Despite that, Vance maintains that Walz’s phrasing indicates stolen valor.
Vance, who also served in a combat zone but without direct engagement, emphasizes honesty about one’s military experience as being key.