During his tenure in office and throughout his 2020 campaign for Texas’ 22nd District congressional seat, Republican Representative Troy Nehls has consistently asserted that he was awarded two Bronze Star medals and a Combat Infantryman Badge for his service in Iraq and Afghanistan while serving in the U.S. Army.
It is undeniable that Nehls has a record of serving overseas, participating in combat, and being recognized with a Bronze Star for his duties. However, a thorough investigation by CBS News, including a review of military documents obtained from the U.S. Army at the Pentagon, reveals that Nehls actually received one Bronze Star medal, not two. Furthermore, his Combat Infantryman Badge from Afghanistan was removed from his service record in 2023 due to his role as a civil affairs officer, as opposed to serving as an infantryman or Special Forces soldier.
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CBS News reached out to Emily Matthews, Nehls’ press secretary, multiple times via email and phone, but she declined to comment or offer any explanation for the discrepancies.
According to CBS News, Congressman Nehls does not wear medals that he did not earn, as stated by Matthews.
Displaying any medal that a service member has not earned is considered deeply offensive, especially within the military. Throughout history, there have been cases where public officials have brought disgrace upon themselves by falsely claiming achievements. For instance, former Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald inaccurately claimed to have served in Special Forces, while former Sen. Mark Kirk of Illinois falsely claimed to have received the U.S. Navy’s Intelligence Officer of the Year award.
However, Nehls’ case stands out as being different – and in several ways, more perplexing. This is due to the fact that his record provides evidence of his service overseas and his notable commendation.
The Bronze Star medal holds a significant place in the U.S. Army as the eighth-highest award. Its origins can be traced back to World War II. This prestigious honor is bestowed upon service members who display exceptional bravery and heroism in combat or demonstrate outstanding performance under challenging circumstances, as defined by the Army.
On Thursday, Army veteran Anthony Anderson, the owner of Guardian of Valor, a well-known social media website that investigates service member records, openly confronted Nehls, urging him to address the inquiries regarding his awards. CBS News had previously featured Anderson and his exceptional work in a profile.
According to the records, there is no additional information regarding a second Bronze Star medal among the many awards and decorations received by Nehls for his honorable actions in the U.S. military. Bryce Dubee, a spokesman for the U.S. Army at the Pentagon, confirmed that Nehls has been awarded one Bronze Star medal.
Nehls can be seen in the photo wearing a lapel pin that holds a significant history. Known as the Combat Infantryman Badge, this symbol originated during World War II and is now given to Army soldiers who have actively participated in ground combat, particularly in the infantry and Special Forces community.
According to the Pentagon, Nehls possesses a Combat Action Badge rather than a Combat Infantryman Badge. The U.S. Army has specific criteria for awarding these two badges.
The Combat Infantryman Badge is typically given to Army soldiers who serve in the infantry and Special Forces and are actively involved in ground combat. On the other hand, the Combat Action Badge was established in 2005 and is intended for Army soldiers who are not in these specific job fields but still find themselves actively engaging or being engaged by the enemy. This distinction allows for recognition of the unique contributions and bravery displayed by soldiers in different roles on the battlefield.
According to military records obtained by CBS News, Nehls was awarded the Combat Action Badge for his deployment to Iraq in 2004, retroactively in February 2006.
Nehls started his military journey as an enlisted infantryman with the Wisconsin National Guard in July 1988. However, as time went on, he rose through the ranks and eventually became a civil affairs officer, holding the rank of captain by 2004. Throughout his military service, Nehls continued to excel, eventually reaching the rank of major before concluding his time in the armed forces.
According to military records obtained by CBS News, Nehls received the Combat Infantryman Badge in October 2008 for his actions in Afghanistan in March 2008. This significant achievement was duly recorded on Nehls’ official discharge and separation documents, also known as DD Form 214.
In March 2023, Nehls’ military records were amended, and the Pentagon confirmed that his Combat Infantryman Badge was revoked. According to a spokesperson from the Pentagon, this decision was made because Nehls served as a civil affairs officer instead of an infantryman or Special Forces soldier.
James LaPorta brings a wealth of experience to his role as a verification producer with CBS News Confirmed. Having served as a U.S. Marine infantryman and being a veteran of the Afghanistan war, LaPorta possesses a unique perspective on the stories he covers.
