Gov. Moore faces fresh scrutiny as ex-commanding officer questions his Afghanistan claims

MARYLAND (WBFF) — Questions about Gov. Wes Moore’s military record and how he has described his service in Afghanistan have sparked a new round of scrutiny, following reports by The Baltimore Sun and Spotlight on Maryland.

The reporting included an exclusive interview with the Army major who was Moore’s direct supervisor during his service in Afghanistan in 2005. In that interview, retired Lt. Col. James Gottschling said Moore’s service in the combat zone is something “he can be proud of,” but added, “It’s really the embellishment.”

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Gottschling said he is troubled by Moore’s public descriptions of his time in Afghanistan, including Moore’s statement, “I led soldiers in combat in Afghanistan.”

Gottschling disputed that characterization, saying, “It’s disingenuous to say he led soldiers into combat or did direct action activities in combat zones.”

The controversy also includes Moore’s past claims about receiving a Bronze Star. Moore had said for years that he earned the medal during his Afghanistan service, including listing it on a 2006 application that helped him receive a fellowship at the White House, even though he had not received it at the time.

In an appearance on Comedy Central, Moore was introduced as “a decorated veteran of the war in Afghanistan a recipient of the Bronze Star,” and Moore responded, “Yes.”

After questions were raised by The New York Times and FOX45 News, Moore acknowledged he had not received the Bronze Star while serving in Afghanistan and said it was a mistake.

“I do regret that it was nearly 20 years ago it was an honest mistake,” Moore said.

Twenty years later, after a California senator urged the military to honor Moore with a Bronze Star, Moore received the medal during a private ceremony in Annapolis.

The renewed attention to Moore’s military record has prompted sharp reactions.

“If you’re willing to lie about that, you’ll lie about anything to the voters,” WCBM host Sean Casey said Monday morning.