The 'Nightly News' anchor comes under fire from military veterans with one branding his false story as 'a serious offense' and another calling him out for trying to play down his lie.
- Feb 6, 2015
AceShowbiz - Brian Williams takes the heat and his credibility is being questioned after he told the false story of coming under enemy fire in Iraq. The NBC anchor is slammed by military veterans over his apology in which he called his lie a "bungled attempt" to thank the military members. He is also mocked online as hashtag #BrianWilliamsMisremembers takes Twitter by storm.
"Brian knew what he was saying. He didn't forget what chopper he was on. It took the soldiers that were there to make him finally admit he lied about the incident," SSG of the U.S. Army Anthony Anderson, who operates the Guardian of Valor website and Stolen Valor Facebook page, tells FOX411.
"Although it doesn't meet the definition [of] 'Stolen Valor,' it's still along the same lines, as he claimed to be in an incident involving combat that he wasn't in. I believe he only apologized because the soldiers protested. Had they not spoken up, would he have ever apologized for it?"
Kris "Tanto" Paronto, a former Army Ranger, also blasts the "Nightly News" presenter, "This is one of, if not the most despicable acts of lying to those who have served and the United States Citizens. He is stealing valor from those that have actually seen combat, been shot at with RPG's and small arms fire."
"I can tell you from firsthand experience that you do not misremember being shot at. This lie and continual lying to cover up the first lie says a lot about Mr. Williams' character, or lack thereof. This is a serious offense."
"What concerns me as well is how much has he and/or NBC lied about over the years? In my opinion, and that's all it is, both are fully compromised news organizations and should no longer be a credible source for news for many years to come," he adds. "Keep in mind, if military personnel would've done this, he/she would at very least be given an Article 15, busted down in rank, and possibly pay withheld until a full investigation was completed."
Former Navy SEAL Jonathan Gilliam has issues with Williams' apology as well, calling out the anchor for trying to play down his lie. "Minimization and lying are the characteristics of a deviant behavior and are typically signs of guilt," the ex-federal agent says.
It's not the first time Williams, 55, lied about his experience in Iraq. In a 2013 interview with David Letterman, he also made up the same story about being on-board a Chinook helicopter that was hit by two rockets and small arms fire in the war zone back in 2003.
When asked for comment on the matter, a rep for NBC News refused to give any but pointed to a Dateline transcript dated March 26, 2003 in which Williams said, "on the ground, we learn the Chinook ahead of us was almost blown out of the sky."
Williams apologized after flight engineer Lance Reynolds who was on the helicopter wrote to him, "Sorry dude, I don't remember you being on my aircraft." But it's not the first time someone tried to clarify his story. Another flight engineer, Sgt. 1st Class Joseph Miller, says he has attempted to set the record straight but to no avail. He thanked Reynolds, "I've been calling him out on this for a long time with no response. He was actually on my aircraft and we came in behind you about 30-45 minutes later."
