Tim Walz's Military Record Dismantled by Right-Wing Mouthpiece; Facts Shrouded in Far-Right Propaganda

JD Vance tries to smear Tim Walz's military record, but it's all lies

Statement: “When Tim Walz was asked by his country to go to Iraq, do you know what he did? He dropped out of the Army and allowed his unit to go without him.**”

Correction: “When Tim Walz, who had already served 24 honorable years in the military, received notice of a potential future deployment to Iraq, he retired from the Army and did not go with his unit.”

Ohio Senator and Republican VP nominee JD Vance tried to smear the military record of Tim Walz, the newly-announced Democratic VP pick and current Minnesota governor.

"When the United States Marine Corps, when the United States of America, asked me to go to Iraq to serve my country, I did it," Vance said Wednesday at the Shelby, Michigan Police Department. Vance served as a combat correspondent and did a tour in Iraq, but never saw combat.

"When Tim Walz was asked by his country to go to Iraq, do you know what he did? He dropped out of the Army and allowed his unit to go without him. … I think it’s shameful," Vance said, disgracefully.

At another event, Vance stooped to using the phrase "stolen valor" in his accusations against Walz.

Vance's disgusting lies were parroted by U.S. Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Amarillo, who tweeted: "Tim Walz TURNED HIS BACK on the soldiers in his unit because he was TOO afraid to deploy to Iraq!!" Tweet link

The facts: Walz retired from the Minnesota National Guard in May 2005, having submitted retirement paperwork months in advance. Source: Fox News

In March 2005, Walz’s battalion was notified of a possible deployment to Iraq within two years. Source: Walz campaign press release, March 20, 2005

Vance is lying and distorting the timeline. Walz was not "asked by his country to go to Iraq." He was given a two-year window for a potential, not definite, deployment. The official deployment order came in July 2005, two months after Walz retired. Source: Email exchange with Minnesota National Guard spokesperson, Aug. 6-7, 2024

Walz retired from the National Guard to run for Congress. He filed his candidacy paperwork in February 2005, before the March notification about the potential deployment. Source: FEC Tim Walz statement of candidacy, Feb. 10, 2005

This isn't the first time Walz's military record has been questioned. In 2022, his GOP opponent criticized his decision to leave the National Guard. Source: Star Tribune

Two MN National Guard members wrote a letter in 2018 claiming Walz "embellished" his record. Other Guard members who served with Walz have defended him. Source: MPR News, NY Times [https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/07/us/politics/vance-walz-military-record.html)

Walz’s spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment. A Harris-Walz campaign spokesperson highlighted Walz’s record of advocating for veterans. Source: NY Times

Vance’s campaign spokesperson sent links to the 2005 Walz campaign release and news stories with quotes from former battalion members upset with Walz. Source: Email exchange with Luke Schroeder, Vance spokesperson, Aug. 8, 2024

Tim Walz's military service:

Walz enlisted in the Nebraska National Guard at 17. He transferred to the MN National Guard in 1996 and served in the 1st Battalion, 125th Field Artillery until his retirement in May 2005. Source: Email from MN National Guard spokesperson, Aug. 6-7, 2024

He responded to floods and tornadoes, specialized in heavy artillery, and was recognized for sharpshooting and hand grenades. Source: Minnesota Public Radio

Walz and his battalion deployed to Italy in support of operations in Afghanistan in 2003. He returned in 2004. Source: MN National Guard spokesperson

In May 2005, Walz retired at 41 to campaign for Congress. He filed his statement of candidacy in Feb. 2005 and was elected in Nov. 2006. Source: FEC Tim Walz statement of candidacy, Feb. 10, 2005

Al Bonnifield, who served with Walz, said Walz weighed his retirement decision heavily. Source: Minnesota Public Radio, Washington Post [https://www.washingtonpost.com/elections/2024/08/07/tim-walz-military-record/]

The battalion received an official order about the Iraq deployment in July 2005, after Walz retired. Source: MN National Guard spokesperson

Others who served with Walz have accused him of "dishonorable" conduct for not deploying with them. Source: Fox News

Battalion’s deployment to Iraq:

The battalion received an "alert order" for mobilization to Iraq on July 14, 2005, and the official order on Aug. 14, 2005. They mobilized in Oct. 2005 and deployed in Mar. 2006 for 19 months. Source: MN National Guard spokesperson, Congressional resolution

A 2018 letter from two retired MN Guard members said the battalion received a "warning order" in early 2005 about a potential deployment. Walz's campaign website also noted a possible deployment within two years. Source: Archived Tim Walz campaign press release, March 20, 2005

Walz said he was dedicated to serving his country, whether in Congress or in Iraq, but he didn't plan to drop out of the race. Source: Archived Tim Walz campaign press release

Walz retired as a master sergeant, one rank below command sergeant major, for benefit purposes, as he lacked certain coursework. Source: MN National Guard spokesperson

Joseph Eustice, a veteran who served with Walz, said their unit had only heard rumors of a deployment to Iraq when Walz retired in May 2005. Source: NY Times, NewsNation [https://www.newsnationnow.com/on-balance-with-leland-vittert/walz-guard-retirement-timing-coincidence/]

Fact-check ruling:

Vance said: "When Tim Walz was asked by his country to go to Iraq, do you know what he did? He dropped out of the Army and allowed his unit to go without him."

This is a misleading and dishonest attack on Walz's military service. Walz's unit was not officially ordered to Iraq until after he retired. Walz retired after 24 years of service to run for Congress, and his retirement decision was made months in advance.

While it's true that Walz's battalion received a notification about a potential deployment in March 2005, it was not a definite order, and the timeline for deployment was two years. Walz's retirement was a difficult decision, as he weighed his political ambitions with his military commitments.

Vance's statement is a disgusting attempt to smear a veteran's record. We rate it Mostly False.