Its Throwback Thursday folks. Every once and a while we find a need to revisit a case. This case was originally posted by our friends over at thisainthell.us. A few years ago the New Mexico department of the Military Order of the Purple Heart reported this guy that they had booted by the name of David Shrum.
Not only did David or “Doc” as he likes to be called, make claim to being awarded a Purple Heart, he actually became the state commander for their organization.
As is always the case when a poser gets around real veterans, they started wondering about some of his claims. According to his disputed DD 214, David Shrum enlisted in the U.S. Army on September 10, 1964, after graduating from Thomas Jefferson High School in Denver, Colo.
A family member of his was interviewed and had this to say;
“He graduated in June 1965 and spent the summer basically doing nothing, looking for easy ways to make some money. He didn’t find it, so he joined the military.”
Of course Shrum provided paperwork to the organization to back up his claims and even more awards for valor.
Shrum claims on the DD 214, provided to The Daily Times by the military order, that he received the bronze star, a Distinguished Flying Cross and a Silver Star, prestigious medals given to soldiers for heroism or gallantry in military action.
However, according to Shrum’s military records, obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request sent to the federal National Archives and Records Administration, Shrum received no awards for heroism.
His official records were ordered through the Freedom of Information Act;
We were provided with a copy of his high school diploma by a family member.
It is dated 8 June 1965.
David “Doc” Shrum has no awards for valor of any kind. He should have just been proud of the service he actually did have. He served during difficult times when most did not. He has used false and embellished claims of service to gain favor and receive benefit from those who are guilty of nothing but wanting to help veterans.
Sometimes we get the notion that people have not really learned their lesson. Shrum has scammed enough from people. We are still waiting for an apology.
We understand he may still be receiving benefits…for exactly what we have no idea but there is almost no chance PTSD isn’t in there somewhere.
Source: David “Doc” Shrum; phony wounded veteran : This ain’t Hell, but you can see it from here