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| Marine Impersonator About To Be Hoisted |
| 2005-03-10 |
| WEST BEND, Wis. -- A man accused of impersonating a Marine Corps officer is facing federal charges. Michael Schuster is well known in veterans circles in West Bend. He's played taps at dozens of veterans' burials, wearing a Marine uniform with military decorations and medals. He was the featured speaker at last year's Memorial Day observance. The 52-year-old claimed to have served in Vietnam, achieving the rank of major. But at least one veteran who served as a Marine Corps master gunnery sergeant in Vietnam was suspicious. Jim Krudwig noticed Schuster wore his medals and ribbons out of place, and he said Schuster saluted like he was in the Air Force. Federal authorities investigated Schuster's claims and he was charged with wearing military decorations without authorization. The charge carries a maximum $100,000 fine and a year in federal prison. WISN 12 News spoke with Schuster by phone Wednesday. He had no comment. If protesting the Vietnam war was "just as honorable" as having served in the military, then how come so many draft-dodging baby boomers pretend to have been combat veterans? I do so enjoy when one of them crashes and burns. |
| Posted by:Anonymoose |
| #2 I think there's a slight but noticeable difference in how the hand is held for a Marine salute. The Marines put far more emphasis into training for their salute than does the other branches. An NCO would spot such a difference instantly, and combined with (horrors!) scrambled uniform decorations, he would smell a gigantic rat. |
| Posted by: Anonymoose 2005-03-10 11:04:31 PM |
| #1 "saluted like he was in the Air Force." What the hell does that mean? I recieved praise from a Marine Major for my "Snappy" salute and I wore blue. I am sure he meant Canadian Air Force and not the USAF. |
| Posted by: Cyber Sarge 2005-03-10 10:55:56 PM |