Former Supervisor Challenges Wes Moore's 2005 Afghanistan Combat Claims as 2028 Scrutiny Builds
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Nov 10
Former Supervisor Challenges Wes Moore's 2005 Afghanistan Combat Claims as 2028 Scrutiny Builds
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Nov 10
Summary
Retired Lt. Col. Jamie Gottschling, who supervised Wes Moore in Afghanistan in 2005-06, said Moore did not lead paratroopers in combat and never saw combat despite public claims to the contrary.
Gottschling said Moore worked a staff information-operations role at Forward Operating Base Salerno, occasionally left the base, and was not "leading" troops as Moore has described in campaign posts, interviews and his book.
Moore's office called the criticism political, citing a past evaluation in which Gottschling ranked him a top 1% officer and saying Army records and other reporting verified rocket fire and Moore's Combat Action Badge.
The dispute revives broader questions about Moore's military narrative after a 2024 New York Times report found he had long claimed a Bronze Star before receiving the award later that year.
The renewed scrutiny lands as Moore, freshly reelected governor, is widely viewed as a potential Democratic presidential contender in 2028.