Maryland Gov. Wes Moore Admits Error in White House Fellowship Application

Maryland Governor Wes Moore admitted to making an “honest mistake” in falsely claiming to have received a Bronze Star for his military service in Afghanistan on a White House fellowship application 18 years ago. The New York Times obtained a copy of the application through a Freedom of Information Act request and reported on the discrepancy.

In a statement, Governor Moore explained that he had been encouraged to apply for the fellowship by his deputy brigade commander while serving in the Army overseas. He was told to include the Bronze Star on his application after receiving approval from senior officers. However, Moore later discovered that he had not actually received the award.

Despite the error, Moore emphasized his dedication to supporting fellow veterans and serving as governor. He expressed regret for not correcting the mistake on his application and acknowledged that he should have done so.

The Bronze Star is a prestigious award given to service members for meritorious service in combat zones. Governor Moore also highlighted his recognition as a top 1% officer in Operation Enduring Freedom in his officer evaluation report.

In interviews during his gubernatorial campaign, Moore did not clarify that he had not actually received the Bronze Star. He admitted to regretting this omission and failing to correct the record.

The New York Times also spoke to the officer who recommended Moore include the award on his application, Lt. Gen. Michael Fenzel. Fenzel confirmed that he and others had approved the medal and advised Moore to include it in his application. Despite the controversy, Moore remains focused on his mission to support veterans and lead Maryland as governor.