Maryland Gov. Moore Apologizes for False Bronze Star Claim

Maryland Democrat Gov. Wes Moore on Friday apologized for claiming to have a Bronze Star that he was not awarded while applying for a White House fellowship in 2006, saying it was "an honest mistake."

The governor, who served in the Army in Afghanistan, listed a Bronze Star on a 2006 application for a White House fellowship, writing, "For my work, the 82nd Airborne Division have awarded me the Bronze Star Medal and the Combat Action Badge," according to The New York Times, which also reports that while Moore did receive a Combat Action Badge later that year, he never actually received the Bronze Star.

"I take full accountability for an honest mistake that was made on an application that I sent out nearly 20 years ago," Moore said during an interview with a local Fox affiliate on Friday morning.

In a statement to the Times, Moore said that a superior officer and mentor, Lt. Gen. Michael Fenzel, told him to include the Bronze Star on his application.

"I made an honest mistake by including something because my commanding officer thought it was a good idea," Moore said. "He thought that I earned it and he was already going through the paperwork to process it."

Fenzel confirmed to the Times that he told Moore, "You’ve got to include it" despite Moore objecting. Fenzel also said he was unaware that Moore had not actually received the Bronze Star and that he would resubmit the paperwork so it could be awarded to him.

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