I have sent a correction to KYW TV 3 that this Bob Levy Phony Green Beret
story was first broken at www.HarryHurley.com and on WIBG 1020 AM
Radio on "Hurley in the Morning."
Mayor Admits To Misrepresenting Military Career
(AP) ATLANTIC CITY Mayor Bob Levy admitted Saturday he misrepresented his military background when he claimed to have served in the Green Berets during the Vietnam War.
The first-term mayor served two tours in Vietnam and received decorations for bravery and heroism in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s, but was never a member of the elite U.S. Army Special Forces, commonly known as the Green Berets.
“I’m sorry for having this happen at all,” Levy told The Associated Press. “It’s something I should have corrected 40 years ago. It is what it is and I apologize for the embarrassment I’ve created for myself and my family.”
The story was first reported in The Press of Atlantic City on Saturday.
During his campaign last year, literature published by Levy’s camp claimed he won medals as a Green Beret.
According to the National Archives and Records Administration’s National Personnel Records Center, there is no record of Levy being involved with Special Forces.
Levy’s military service record was otherwise distinguished. He served two tours in Vietnam and was twice awarded the Army’s Bronze Star, among other medals. He served as a field communications crewman and switchboard operator and then a village and hamlet communications system adviser.
He returned to New Jersey in June 1971 and worked as an instructor and recruiter before being spending 20 months at Fort Carson, Colo., where he was promoted to first sergeant and assigned to the 1st Battalion, 19th Field Artillery. He was honorably discharged in 1984 after a 20-year military career.
Levy said that during his time in Vietnam he did work with the Green Berets on an advisory team and that over time that morphed into his claims that he was a member of the unit.
“It developed into that and I should haven’t allowed that to happen,” he said. “People have embellished their resumes, I guess. This is much more serious because it’s a military thing. I have the highest regard for Special Forces guys and all special ops. They’re the greatest soldiers in the world, who risk their lives day in and day out and continue to do so.”
Levy, who was born and raised in Atlantic City, won a close primary race over Democratic incumbent Lorenzo Langford and then easily beat independent candidate Joseph Polillo last November.
He said he expected criticism over his military record but did not see it affecting his ability to govern.
“I still have an excellent relationship with the city council and I think that will continue,” he said. “I’ve always tried to be a consensus-builder, not a divider. I think I’ve proven myself to the city, so I’m not like an unknown product coming in here.”
Former Lacey Township Mayor Tom Waskovich, a first lieutenant with the Green Berets in Vietnam, said Levy owes his colleagues and constituents an apology.
“He should be proud enough of his 20-year service,” Waskovich told The Press of Atlantic City. “This is theft, that’s what it is, theft; and that’s why it is so wrong for the top public official in Atlantic City to take this ‘honor.”’
