Tim Walz claimed he served in Afghanistan—he didn't: Iraq vet

Kamala Harris' VP pick, candidate Tim Walz, has previously described himself as "a veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom," which is the official name for the US government for the war in Afghanistan after the Sept. 11 attacks, per the Washington Free Beacon. This is despite him never serving in Afghanistan. The office never got back to an Iraq veteran who called him out on it.

Walz was called out for using the label in 2009 by Iraq war veteran David Thul, who was also a sergeant in the Minnesota National Guard. Thul filmed the encounter with staff at Walz's office in Mankato, Minnesota: "Operation Enduring Freedom is limited to Afghanistan and the airspace directly above," Thul told the aide. "Congressman Walz is clearly claiming … to be an Enduring Freedom veteran." 



Prior to the encounter with the office, Walz claimed on his 2006 campaign announcement to be a veteran of "Operation Enduring Freedom" and had done so before on a sign at a political protest against former President George Bush.

Walz, however, never served on the ground in Afghanistan. He retired as a 24-year veteran of the Army National Guard and had spent time in Norway and Italy only in support of NATO and of Operation Enduring Freedom, respectively.

"Nobody disputes the fact that he is not an Afghanistan or Enduring Freedom veteran. So, this represents a fairly serious issue," Thul told the aides at the time. When the aide was asked if using the label could falsely give the impression that Walz served in Afghanistan, the staffer responded, "Perhaps, I guess."

A source familiar with the matter told the Free Beacon that even though the aide said they would follow up with Thul's concerns, they never followed through on that pledge. Walz has been accused of embellishing his military career as well as using "stolen valor" in his political campaigns. GOP vice presidential candidate and Ohio Senator JD Vance hit Walz with the label earlier this week.

Afterwards, a reporter asked Walz on the tarmac in Wisconsin, "Vance has accused you of stolen valor. Your response?" Walz simply ignored the press and walked away.