Weatherford police officer and owner of Texas Tactical Tommy Taylor is having a hard time understanding why so many Army Rangers are angry with him.
It was a clerical error he explained, that brought on the wrath of the special forces unit, and one not even made by his own hand.
But according to former Army Ranger and Army Ranger Instructor, Mike Moore, it’s much more than a clerical error, it’s a matter of honor and integrity.
Moore, along with a number of other current and former Army Rangers, became aware of a Texas Tactical Web site, in which Taylor was listed as a former Army Ranger and distinguished Purple Heart winner.
After checking a military database, Moore, along with retired Army Ranger Sgt. Major Andrew Bell, found the Web site’s claims to be false, thus sparking an uproar among those who truly carried the title.
“We try to be quiet professionals about things,” Moore said. “But sometimes instances like this come up.
“This individual’s information was steered our way and we checked him out. I contacted the ranger school and did a check. He had never attended, never completed the school.”
Taylor, who said he never claimed to be an Army Ranger, said the Web site listing was false, a mistake made by his company’s manager, Jerry Gibson.
“I have never, never, never claimed to be an Army Ranger,” Taylor said. “I have trained under Rangers in the past, but I am not a certified Army Ranger.
“This whole thing adds up to a clerical error made by my manager. My error was not proof reading the bio he wrote.
“I valued my time in the military and I would never, never, never do anything to dishonor that or the men I served with.”
According to both Taylor and Gibson, the incorrect Web page remained active for three weeks and has since been changed to reflect an accurate biography.
Gibson said once the complaint calls began to tie up Texas Tactical’s phone lines, Taylor made immediate changes.
Gibson confirmed Taylor’s claims of clerical errors. He said it was simply a wrong upload in terms of the Purple Heart and an assumption when it came to the Army Ranger status.
Complaints have been filed with the Weatherford Police Department in regards to Taylor’s alleged misrepresentation.
WPD Capt. David Smith said the department is currently investigating the complaint.
As for Moore and Bell, questions remain.
“I’m not doing this for myself,” Moore said. “Since the War on Terror began I have lost 25 friends. Guys I know that have done my job as a Ranger. I do it for them, for the job they did, because they’re the ones not walking around anymore.”
Bell agreed and said that one must earn the right to stand within this brotherhood.
“There is a price to pay to be an Army Ranger,” he said. “This man did not pay that price.”
Moore said he hopes Taylor will be held accountable under the Stolen Valor Act of 2005, for what he believes is an injustice.
The Stolen Valor Act of 2005, which became public law in December 2006, was an amendment to the federal criminal code.
Introduced by Sen. Gaylord Conrad D-ND, the Act was designed to protect the honor of military men and women who earned distinguished awards.
“Recipients of the Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Awards, Silver Star or Purple Heart have made incredible sacrifices for our country,” Conrad said in his introductory address. “They deserve our thanks and respects.
“Unfortunately, however, there are some individuals who diminish the accomplishments of award recipients by using medals they have not earned. These impostors use fake medals — or claim to have medals that they have not earned — to gain credibility in their communities.”
The Act prohibits falsely representing oneself as having been awarded any decoration or medal authorized by Congress for the Armed Forces or any of the service medals or badges.
Penalties are increased for violations involving a Distinguished Service Cross, an Air Force Cross, a Navy Cross, a Silver Star or a Purple Heart.
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