BACKGROUND
Robert Elgin Glaves Jr, or “Bob” as he is often called, comes to us from Soldonta/Fairbanks, Alaska but is originally from Oregon. Glaves is 61 years old as of September 2019.
Glaves is an interesting story. He was featured in several articles and programs – and it was put out that he is a Vietnam veteran dying from Agent Orange exposure while he was in Vietnam. He wanted to visit the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, DC to see the names of buddies he lost over there.
When Glaves arrives at the memorial he is prepared to see the names of his fallen brothers on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.
That wall bears the names of more than 58,000 Americans who gave their lives.
“I’m expecting to cry, so I don’t want nobody around,” Glaves said.
Several noteworthy efforts joined in and offered commentary highlighting that ‘Alaska Bob’ was a Vietnam combat veteran and is terminally ill from chemical exposure in Vietnam…
As well as ‘Wall Before I Die’ which highlighted that Bob fought in Cambodia and Vietnam, and…
Besides the donations raised, there also seemed to be some value that Bob gained as a result of the story from people being all too willing to help out.
Some people became curious and had questions about this story, especially Bob’s age.
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ACTIONS CONDUCTED BY MILITARY PHONIES
Robert Elgin Glave Jr’s military records were ordered through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request.
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FOIA RESULTS – COMPLETE
NATIONAL PERSONNEL RECORDS CENTER (NPRC)
HIGH SCHOOL PHOTOS
In addition, high school photos were obtained by Military Phony in order to establish a timeline. It seems that Robert Glaves dropped out of high school either at the end of his Junior year in 1975 or during his Junior year.
As the FOIA results indicate, he joined the U.S. Army in October 1975. This is why there is no Senior photo in the 1976 yearbook, which we confirmed as well.
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DISCUSSION and SUMMARY
RANK
Glaves got out as a specialist but his claim of rank was not an issue in question.
AGE
It appears that Robert Glaves did join the Army when he was 17 y/o, so that statement was true. However, he was not old enough to have gone to Vietnam.
VIETNAM
Glaves’ records, neither awards or assignments, do not show service in the country of Vietnam. He would be considered a Vietnam-era veteran but not a Vietnam veteran. The records also do not support a claim of Cambodia. There are no overseas assignments listed.
There are several claims of Glaves being a combat veteran which would have a Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB) in his records but there is not one listed.
The claims of being a combat veteran is violation of the Stolen Valor Act.
- Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB)
The claims that the newspaper article made in regard to Bob Glaves having contracted cancer from chemical exposure or Agent Orange would not supported by his official military records. He may have cancer, but this would not be from exposure to chemicals in Vietnam or Cambodia, unless he went there as a tourist.
Also, it is hard to understand which buddies names he visited on the Vietnam Memorial if Glaves was not in Vietnam. Although the possibility exists that he was talking about older friends from high school that graduated before he did and joined the military, in the context of the story the implication is that they are buddies of his that were killed in Vietnam.
STOLEN VALOR
If the claims by Robert Glaves were used to leverage work, military or civilian promotions, or anything else of value, Glaves may be in violation of Stolen Valor laws. State laws may also apply.
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PHOTOS
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SOCIAL MEDIA
[NONE]
Effort documenting Bob’s Trip: https://www.facebook.com/wallbeforeidie/
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