Does it really matter?

The fact that the late Chris Kyle, author of American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History was a hero is not in question.  However, documents that have been uncovered concerning his military record and they make it appear that Chief Kyle may have distorted his military record in that autobiography.

That is the Silver Star Medal.  Official Navy records show that Chief Kyle was awarded one Silver Star during his distinguished ten year military career.  He claimed to have been awarded two in his autobiography.

That is the Bronze Star Medal.  The V device on it designates it was awarded for Valor in combat.  Chief Kyle received three Bronze Stars with the V device during his career, again according to official Navy records.  His autobiography claims he received this award on five separate occasions.

That's what the official Navy personnel files show.  But every person who serves in the military receives a Department of Defense (DD) Form 214 when they leave the service.  The one issued to Chief Kyle agrees with the medal totals that appear in his autobiography.  So there is a discrepancy somewhere.

But the news media/blogosphere is filled with articles claiming Chief Kyle lied in his book.  Maybe he did.  Maybe he didn't.  We will hopefully learn the truth in the end, but it doesn't really matter in my mind.  It doesn't change how he served, how many lives he saved or anything else.

Stolen Valor is a phrase used when people claim to have received military decorations that they did not earn.  But it should only be applied to people who make claims that are completely and totally false.  Like this guy.

That is a photo of Xavier Alvarez and he will remain a footnote in our nation's history forever.  Thanks to a decision by the U. S. Supreme Court in the case United States v Alvarez, this gentleman escaped prosecution for falsely claiming he'd been awarded the Medal of Honor.  The Stolen Valor Act, of which Mr. Alvarez was accused of violating was determined to be unconstitutional.  Put more simply, it is not a crime to lie about one's military exploits.

Even if Chief Kyle did embellish his military record, he didn't do what Mr. Alvarez did.  Or what others have done. The man was murdered.  He was a hero.  Let him rest in peace.