Maryland Governor Wes Moore admitted to making an “honest mistake” in incorrectly stating on a White House fellowship application 18 years ago that he received a Bronze Star for his military service in Afghanistan. The application came to light when the New York Times obtained a copy through a Freedom of Information Act request. Moore claimed he was encouraged to add the award to his application by his deputy brigade commander, who had recommended him for the Bronze Star based on approval from senior officers. However, Moore later found out he had not actually received the award, but did not correct his application.
In a statement, Moore expressed regret for not correcting the error and emphasized his ongoing commitment to helping veterans. The governor explained that in the military, there is an understanding that if a senior officer says an action is approved, it is trusted as fact. He also clarified that the award was mentioned during media interviews when he ran for governor in 2022, but he did not correct the information at the time.
The New York Times also interviewed the officer, Michael Fenzel, who recommended Moore include the Bronze Star on his application. Fenzel confirmed that he and others had approved the medal and advised Moore to include it in his application, assuring that it would be processed before his fellowship began.
The Bronze Star, awarded for meritorious service in combat zones, has sparked debate over Moore’s handling of the situation. Moore acknowledged his mistake and expressed remorse for not correcting the misinformation sooner.
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