The captain was a fraud
His chestful of medals was bogus, and the lies caught up with him. Now he sits in the Quantico brig.
navytimes.com
By Bryant Jordan
Times staff writer
Navy Capt. Roger D. Edwards’ résumé was impressive by any standard: A 36-year military career included stints in the Army, the National Guard, the Coast Guard and, since 1977, the Navy, where he rose to captain and served as executive assistant to Rear Adm. Robert D. Hufstader Jr., the Marine Corps’ top medical officer.
He was a combat medic in Vietnam, commanded medical battalions, ran a hospital, and was a senior medical plans officer for U.S. Central Command.
His private life was no less impressive. Edwards is an ordained Episcopal priest, a husband, a father of two daughters and a licensed pharmacist.
But what immediately impressed most people about the 54-year-old, especially the Marines with whom he served, was the 13-tiered rack of medals he proudly wore upon his chest. This was not your typical end-of-tour fruit salad for a Medical Service Corps officer who would have spent a career behind the lines. On the contrary, this was a warrior’s résumé, including a Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, the Combat Action Ribbon and four Purple Hearts. A basic parachutist insignia capped off the massive stack, further attesting to Edwards’ courage, valor and warrior status.
So impressive was he, that the Marine Corps commandant himself honored Edwards with the official title Honorary Marine.
Trouble was, it was all a lie. Edwards didn’t rate those medals. The captain was a liar and a phony.
And now he’s in the brig. |
