BACKGROUND

Jonathan Mark Vigue comes to us from Ellijay, Georgia. At the time of this writing, February 2024, Vigue was 65 years old. Vigue died in Jan 2024.

Vigue has adopted a Santa Claus image and has bestowed the nickname “Semper Fi Santa” upon himself.

Some refer to Vigue as “Gunny” which may be just a nickname vs. any claim of rank by Vigue. In this post, he also collected accolades when he posted the logo of the Beirut Veterans of American (BVA) which is an organization in support of those that served in Beirut, Lebanon.

NOTE: It was challenging to outline all of the claims of Jonathan Vigue because, quite frankly, they were all over the place. We will start with the claims of length of service, then whether he was wounded in Beirut, Lebanon or not. Apologize in advance if this seems to jump around, but it appeared to be the best way to present the case.

YEARS OF SERVICE

In the Facebook profile on a page for Jon Vigue, it claims 1977-1998 and he retired, which would give him 21 years.

However, in this 1997 article, there was a claim that Vigue served for 14 years.

https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1997/10/26/beirut-bombing-changed-marine-s-life-forever/

Here is the article in it’s original format: Tampa Bay Times Article

It also claimed in the article that he was not wounded. It claims he was in Beirut at the time of the Marine Barracks Bombing in 1983.

In this more recent article, it is claimed that Vigue was in the Marine Barracks building when it was hit and was wounded. The article claims service from 1976-2000.

https://www.timescourier.com/local/semper-fi-santa-will-be-checking-his-mail-all-year-round

COMBAT WOUNDED

In a Facebook post in 2018, Vigue claims he was in the building that exploded and he was wounded quite severely.

Vigue repeated the same post in 2022.

Vigue claims that he was awarded the Purple Heart from President Reagan in the following Facebook post, as with the post in 2018.

Then, another post on Facebook makes a claim of being Combat Wounded, but it is unclear if this is tied to Beirut, Lebanon.

SERVICE IN BEIRUT

There are several posts on Jon Vigue’s Facebook page that implies a link to Beirut, Lebanon, along with USMC Jump Wings, which may imply Recon.

RANK

Although there is not a clear claim of rank other than Sgt in the article, someone refers to him as “Gunny” in the following post. If one were to do 20+ years in the Marine Corps, it may stand out to remain at the rank of Sgt (E-5). We are not clear if “Gunny” was just a nickname.

. . . . .

ACTIONS CONDUCTED BY MILITARY PHONIES

Jonathan Vigue’s military records were ordered through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. We filed with the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC).

. . . . .

FOIA RESULTS

NATIONAL PERSONNEL RECORDS CENTER (NPRC)

NOTE: We will discuss this more, but it appears that the NPRC only listed Vigue’s active duty for his second enlistment. The DoD Manpower Data Center / SCRA results below captured the dates correctly.

. . . . .

OTHER RECORDS (DoD Manpower Data Center / SCRA)

. . . . .

DISCUSSION and SUMMARY

TIMELINE

Due to Vigue’s age and claims, we felt it was important to construct a timeline to confirm U.S. Marine Corps service.

Vigue appeared to have graduated from high school in 1977. His claim of a service entry date of 1976 was most likely due to the Delayed Entry Program. The Old GI Bill was set to expire on 31 Dec 1976, so there was an uptick in people enlisting to take advantage of it.

This article appeared in the local newspaper in October of 1977.

This divorce announcement in 1981 suggests Vigue is in Arizona, which is later reinforced by an article when he joins the local police force.

This article announces Vigue joining the local police force. It also claims he was in Arizona attending Arizona Western College majoring in criminal justice.

This engagement announcement appeared in 1982, and says that Vigue completed four years in the USMC.

This article, appearing in May 1982, talks about Vigue being suspended from the police force and also reinforces that he joined in January 1982.

Vigue appeared to go on active duty with the Marine Corps in May of 1983, which is supported by his assignments (NPRC) and his service dates (DoD Manpower / SCRA).

LENGTH OF SERVICE

The length of service is consistent across all FOIA results – 1983-1991 for active duty – representing an eight year enlistment. It sounds like he was delayed entry and was on some kind of reserve status after boot camp to attend college. Perhaps there was a special program, but if this were actual active duty his assignments would have captured it.

The claim of “retiring” from the Marine Corps could be conceivable if it were a medical retirement. There is nothing in Vigue’s military records to suggest Reserve drilling status beyond 1991, so it does not appear plausible that he retired from the Reserves.

STORY

In Vigue’s Facebook post, he implies that Forrester, Elliot and Hart were in his unit. Forrester was a Combat Engineer (1371) and would have been billeted with the Combat Engineers. Hart was a Food Service Specialist (3381) and would have been billeted with Food Service. Elliot was a Hospital Corpsman (8404) and would have been billeted with H&S Medical.

RANK

The NPRC summary sheet states a final rank of Sergeant (E-5). As stated, we don’t know if the “Gunny” (E-7) reference was a nickname.

ASSIGNMENTS

There is nothing in Vigue’s records to suggest he was in Beirut, Lebanon. He was with 2/2 in Camp Lejeune according to his assignments.

MOS

Vigue did not have the required military training to be Recon (0321) or Sniper. He loosely referred to himself and his unit as being “Counter-Snipers” while in Beirut in 1983, so may not have been formally claiming the MOS. He was an 0351 – Anti-Tank Assaultman. He does not have the supportive “Scuba Bubble” or “Jump Wings” as one would expect with a Recon Marine.

PURPLE HEARTS & COMBAT ACTION RIBBONS

Vigue’s records do not support the claims that he has a Purple Heart. Also, there are no Combat Action Ribbons (CARs) listed. Claims of either one of these medals are covered in the Stolen Valor Act of 2013.

SUMMARY

If Jonathan Vigue has used any of these claims to gain anything of value, he could violate the Stolen Valor Act.

. . . . .

PHOTOS

. . . . .

SOCIAL MEDIA

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/jvigue1

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

BACKGROUND

Jonathan Mark Vigue comes to us from Ellijay, Georgia. At the time of this writing, February 2024, Vigue was 65 years old. Vigue died in Jan 2024.

Vigue has adopted a Santa Claus image and has bestowed the nickname “Semper Fi Santa” upon himself.

Some refer to Vigue as “Gunny” which may be just a nickname vs. any claim of rank by Vigue. In this post, he also collected accolades when he posted the logo of the Beirut Veterans of American (BVA) which is an organization in support of those that served in Beirut, Lebanon.

NOTE: It was challenging to outline all of the claims of Jonathan Vigue because, quite frankly, they were all over the place. We will start with the claims of length of service, then whether he was wounded in Beirut, Lebanon or not. Apologize in advance if this seems to jump around, but it appeared to be the best way to present the case.

YEARS OF SERVICE

In the Facebook profile on a page for Jon Vigue, it claims 1977-1998 and he retired, which would give him 21 years.

However, in this 1997 article, there was a claim that Vigue served for 14 years.

https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1997/10/26/beirut-bombing-changed-marine-s-life-forever/

Here is the article in it’s original format: Tampa Bay Times Article

It also claimed in the article that he was not wounded. It claims he was in Beirut at the time of the Marine Barracks Bombing in 1983.

In this more recent article, it is claimed that Vigue was in the Marine Barracks building when it was hit and was wounded. The article claims service from 1976-2000.

https://www.timescourier.com/local/semper-fi-santa-will-be-checking-his-mail-all-year-round

COMBAT WOUNDED

In a Facebook post in 2018, Vigue claims he was in the building that exploded and he was wounded quite severely.

Vigue repeated the same post in 2022.

Vigue claims that he was awarded the Purple Heart from President Reagan in the following Facebook post, as with the post in 2018.

Then, another post on Facebook makes a claim of being Combat Wounded, but it is unclear if this is tied to Beirut, Lebanon.

SERVICE IN BEIRUT

There are several posts on Jon Vigue’s Facebook page that implies a link to Beirut, Lebanon, along with USMC Jump Wings, which may imply Recon.

RANK

Although there is not a clear claim of rank other than Sgt in the article, someone refers to him as “Gunny” in the following post. If one were to do 20+ years in the Marine Corps, it may stand out to remain at the rank of Sgt (E-5). We are not clear if “Gunny” was just a nickname.

. . . . .

ACTIONS CONDUCTED BY MILITARY PHONIES

Jonathan Vigue’s military records were ordered through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. We filed with the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC).

. . . . .

FOIA RESULTS

NATIONAL PERSONNEL RECORDS CENTER (NPRC)

NOTE: We will discuss this more, but it appears that the NPRC only listed Vigue’s active duty for his second enlistment. The DoD Manpower Data Center / SCRA results below captured the dates correctly.

. . . . .

OTHER RECORDS (DoD Manpower Data Center / SCRA)

. . . . .

DISCUSSION and SUMMARY

TIMELINE

Due to Vigue’s age and claims, we felt it was important to construct a timeline to confirm U.S. Marine Corps service.

Vigue appeared to have graduated from high school in 1977. His claim of a service entry date of 1976 was most likely due to the Delayed Entry Program. The Old GI Bill was set to expire on 31 Dec 1976, so there was an uptick in people enlisting to take advantage of it.

This article appeared in the local newspaper in October of 1977.

This divorce announcement in 1981 suggests Vigue is in Arizona, which is later reinforced by an article when he joins the local police force.

This article announces Vigue joining the local police force. It also claims he was in Arizona attending Arizona Western College majoring in criminal justice.

This engagement announcement appeared in 1982, and says that Vigue completed four years in the USMC.

This article, appearing in May 1982, talks about Vigue being suspended from the police force and also reinforces that he joined in January 1982.

Vigue appeared to go on active duty with the Marine Corps in May of 1983, which is supported by his assignments (NPRC) and his service dates (DoD Manpower / SCRA).

LENGTH OF SERVICE

The length of service is consistent across all FOIA results – 1983-1991 for active duty – representing an eight year enlistment. It sounds like he was delayed entry and was on some kind of reserve status after boot camp to attend college. Perhaps there was a special program, but if this were actual active duty his assignments would have captured it.

The claim of “retiring” from the Marine Corps could be conceivable if it were a medical retirement. There is nothing in Vigue’s military records to suggest Reserve drilling status beyond 1991, so it does not appear plausible that he retired from the Reserves.

STORY

In Vigue’s Facebook post, he implies that Forrester, Elliot and Hart were in his unit. Forrester was a Combat Engineer (1371) and would have been billeted with the Combat Engineers. Hart was a Food Service Specialist (3381) and would have been billeted with Food Service. Elliot was a Hospital Corpsman (8404) and would have been billeted with H&S Medical.

RANK

The NPRC summary sheet states a final rank of Sergeant (E-5). As stated, we don’t know if the “Gunny” (E-7) reference was a nickname.

ASSIGNMENTS

There is nothing in Vigue’s records to suggest he was in Beirut, Lebanon. He was with 2/2 in Camp Lejeune according to his assignments.

MOS

Vigue did not have the required military training to be Recon (0321) or Sniper. He loosely referred to himself and his unit as being “Counter-Snipers” while in Beirut in 1983, so may not have been formally claiming the MOS. He was an 0351 – Anti-Tank Assaultman. He does not have the supportive “Scuba Bubble” or “Jump Wings” as one would expect with a Recon Marine.

PURPLE HEARTS & COMBAT ACTION RIBBONS

Vigue’s records do not support the claims that he has a Purple Heart. Also, there are no Combat Action Ribbons (CARs) listed. Claims of either one of these medals are covered in the Stolen Valor Act of 2013.

SUMMARY

If Jonathan Vigue has used any of these claims to gain anything of value, he could violate the Stolen Valor Act.

. . . . .

PHOTOS

. . . . .

SOCIAL MEDIA

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/jvigue1

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..