Maryland Governor Wes Moore Apologizes For Bronze Star Error On White House Fellowship Application

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Maryland Gov. Wes Moore has issued an apology for claiming that he received a Bronze Star during his time in the U.S. military. The Bronze Star Medal is a military decoration awarded to members of the U.S. Armed Forces for heroic or meritorious achievement or service in a combat zone. There are two main versions: the Bronze Star Medal for valor, awarded for acts of heroism, and the Bronze Star Medal for merit, awarded for meritorious service, according to the Air Force Personnel Center.

My full statement on my military record: pic.twitter.com/4pfS3YkuJu

— Governor Wes Moore (@GovWesMoore) August 29, 2024

Moore said the error was “an honest mistake.”

Moore said he made “an honest mistake” when he recorded that he had received the prestigious award on his White House fellowship application 18 years ago. In a statement posted to X on Aug. 29, the Maryland Governor explained that while stationed overseas in Afghanistan, his deputy brigade commander advised him to apply for a fellowship and suggested including a Bronze Star recommendation on the application, after confirming it with other senior officers. However, Moore was later disheartened to discover he did not actually receive the Bronze Star. Upon returning home, he dedicated himself to supporting veterans, a mission he continues as governor, quickly moving past the oversight.

“I sincerely wish I had gone back to correct the note on my application,” Moore said in his statement posted to X on Thursday. “It was an honest mistake, and I regret not making that correction.”

The Democrat continued, “My deputy brigade commander felt comfortable with instructing me to include the award on my application for the Fellowship because he received confirmation with the approval authority that the Bronze Star was signed and approved by his senior leadership.”

Moore’s military achievements.

The New York Times was the first to report on the error, having obtained Moore’s application through a Freedom of Information Act request, the Associated Press noted. They revealed that Moore made the claim about the Bronze Star on his White House fellowship application in 2006 when he was 27 years old.

While serving in Operation Enduring Freedom, the official name for the War in Afghanistan, Moore was recognized as being in the top 1% of officers. He claimed he was described as the “best lieutenant” during his service, which led his commander to believe he had a strong chance of earning the Bronze Star.

Despite the error, Moore said he was “proud” to have served in the military.

“I am proud of the soldiers I served with in combat, and I love my country. I’m never going to back away from that. The military taught me to put the safety of others over my own, leave no one behind, and live ‘Mission First, People Always.’ These are the values that drive my work as governor – and that will not change,” the Maryland official added.