Man who posed as Marine hero sentenced to tend military graves

[cato2]

Man who posed as Marine hero sentenced to tend military graves

For pretending that he was a decorated U.S. military veteran, 59-year-old Reggie L. Buddle of Puyallup must tend to the graves of those who really were.



U.S. Magistrate Kelly Arnold in U.S. District Court in Tacoma on Monday sentenced the counterfeit Vietnam vet to two years' probation and 500 hours laboring at Tahoma National Cemetery for posing as a decorated U.S. Marine captain and military chaplain in 2005 and 2006.

Buddle, who never was in the Marine Corps, pleaded guilty in April to unlawful wearing of U.S. military medals and decorations. That followed an investigation by the inspector general of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

After the hearing, Buddle, who served two years as an Army enlisted man but never in combat and never earning any of the medals he wore, apologized in court Monday and said he was ashamed, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office in Seattle.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ron Friedman said such cases, which have been growing nationwide since Congress passed stiffer measures 18 months ago against pretending to be a member of the armed forces, were researched to recommend an appropriate sentence.

"In this case, we thought it was a good idea to teach him what true service is like," Friedman said.

When Buddle begins serving those who rest at the national military cemetery in Kent, he must avoid any interaction with families of veterans.
"The court expressed concern that he not be allowed to participate in any funerals or counseling sessions or any other type of matters at the cemetery. That was part of his underlying crime; it was clear he will be there to supply labor," Friedman said.

Though Buddle was never an ordained chaplain or reverend, nor authorized by state law to act in any such capacity, he officiated at servicemen's funerals, weddings and baptisms.

Friedman said state statutes were researched and found to protect the legitimacy of marriages in such instances.

Buddle even hoodwinked the state Senate.

On Feb. 27, 2006, dressed in a Marine Corps uniform replete with the rank and medals he awarded himself, Buddle stood before the Senate and gave the prayer at the opening ceremony. Not everyone was so certain that Buddle was the real item. Doubters called authorities, who began investigating.

Among the unearned medals and service decorations with which Buddle festooned his uniform were those for valor and service in Vietnam; a Combat Action Ribbon authorized for wear by those who have fought enemy forces; a Presidential Unit Citation ribbon, issued to members of units that displayed extraordinary heroism under fire; and the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, a high-ranking medal authorized for "extraordinary" contribution to national defense.

Real Marines and their families seemed satisfied with the sentence.
Bert Rutan, 84, retired pastor at University Congregational Church in Seattle and a Marine who in 1945 received the Silver Star for his actions on Iwo Jima, called the sentence "a fair thing. It has to be publicly known that (posing as a member of the armed forces) is not something you can do."
In Snohomish, Brian and Shellie Starr, whose son, Marine Cpl. Jeff Starr, was killed in combat in Iraq on Memorial Day 2005, said the sentence is appropriate.

"I'm glad they nailed him," Brian Starr said.

"I think for someone to impersonate somebody who has done this voluntarily, with the potential for risk of life, is terrible."

Man who posed as Marine hero sentenced to tend military graves

[sfga6970]

Glad to see him sentenced. This should happen more often. There are a lot of "fake warriors" out there fooling people with their lies.

[Betty Boop]

I don't know that it is a good thing to sentence him - it kind of denigrates the memory of those who did give their all and violates their resting place to have him there. But, that's just my opinion.

Now, from what I read this was a civilian who had served in the U.S. Army. What was his discharge status - If it was General or Honorable, then it may have been more appropriate to reduce the level of the actual discharge from service to dishonorable and then apply the statues that allow it to be upgraded in time.

And, when that softer, more compassionate side of me comes forth, I can't help but wonder what his motivation was for faking not only branch of service and rank but also decorations of combat service. Was he suffering from the type of guilt/angst/anxiety so many veterans of the Viet Nam era felt who never touched ground in Southeast Asia but felt when buddies, friends, and even family did serve and die there in their stead. The man needs psychological help as well as sentencing - but I think laboring at the graves of those whose service was honorable, kind of dishonors them.

Just my humble opinion.

[cato2]

There are a lot of "fake warriors" out there fooling people with their lies.

Particularly the elite warrior, it never does seem to be the clerk or cook MOS, only the elite.

There is a term in Psychology called BIRG (Bask in reflected glory). This could be considered that to an extreme. An example of this can be seen when the home team wins in a sporting event, the next day more people can be seen wearing such items as team clothing. They want to associate with the winning team. They describe the team victory as "we won." and if they lose as "they lost," to distance themselves from the game.

It is a question of self esteem on the part of this person. He wanted to cash in on the goodwill found in these events. It seems to indicate to me that this person had a low self esteem and was willing to display this behavior knowingly. He ignored the certain consequences of being caught and continued until he was in fact apprehended and charged.

The story mentions that opinions were considered before the decision was made for sentencing. He is to remain physically distant from those ceremonies themselves. And in my opinion I am sure he would run the risk of a personal confrontation from family members if allowed to attend.

I find the sentence fitting that he be used to maintain the graves of America's heroes. The graves sites could always use the extra effort. Call him in days before the event so he does not cross paths with possible family member. And may his efforts make the final resting place of our veterans outshine all others. I could care less what he would learn reflecting during this time. Give him a tooth brush and let him carry on with his duty.

[Scrappy]

Hey betty,

I've never served any purposefull meaning to our country other than workinging my ass off in the civilian sector. Yea, reserve, but that doesn't compare to individuals currently doing (in a twisted sort of way I wish I hadn't gotten out, and I want back in). I'd never do that, he shames me and my country for wearing what is not deserved.

With love and respect, Scrappy


PS:

but I think laboring at the graves of those whose service was honorable, kind of dishonors them.

I must disagree, before VMI, my parents gave me the honor of visiting Arlington. There can be no blemish on anything there, anyone that cleans even if it is the handle on on a chapel or a crook in an name engraving. Many men labor to honor, even the occassional visitor.

[sfga6970]

Betty, I guess that I don't have a softer, compassionate side and I think that the sentence is appropriate. Would you want a judge to take a convicted felon, slap him on the wrist and say, "go on home now and don't do that again"? With this sentence he is cleaning up the graves of the real heroes and it will make him think twice about doing this again.

[Betty Boop]

Originally Posted by sfga6970

Betty, I guess that I don't have a softer, compassionate side and I think that the sentence is appropriate. Would you want a judge to take a convicted felon, slap him on the wrist and say, "go on home now and don't do that again"? With this sentence he is cleaning up the graves of the real heroes and it will make him think twice about doing this again.

Oh no, SFGA, I think you misunderstood me. I don't think this man is worth the stuff which the boots trod through in jungles, in deserts, on sandy shores, on islands, on continents, and other places worn by the men who are buried in those sacred graves. To me, the man is being given an honor and a redemption he does not deserve. Preparing and preserving the final resting place of a fallen soldier is way too good for this poser. It also gives this man who has shown and acted out his fantasy-like BIRG the opportunity to touch the tangible memory and incorporate into himself pieces of memory that are sacred and not rightfully his.

The softer, compassionate side of me would have thrown him in prison for an extended period of time, fined him greatly, made him compensate each couple he had "married" or person "baptized" or "memorialized" acting as a "Marine Corps Chaplain", and downgraded his military discharge for the real Army time he had served to Dishonorable.

He should have gotten BRIG time for his BIRG - not placed him in so close contact with the sacredness of the sacrifices made on his behalf as a reward. To clean a headstone is an honor not a punishment - that was all I was trying to say. Maybe years down the road, volunteering to do such service after an appropriate jail time to make personal reparations would be appropriate on a personal basis - but not by court order at this time. It is not an honor to the fallen to sentence someone to do what others do out of respect and love and to honor those resting at that place.