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By Ewan Palmer
News Reporter
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Ohio Senator JD Vance has been criticized by veterans after he attacked the military record of Tim Walz, the recently announced running mate of Vice President Kamala Harris.
Speaking to reporters in Michigan on Wednesday, Donald Trump's running mate accused the Minnesota governor of "stolen valor" for allegedly claiming that he had served in a war, and for "abandoning" his unit.
Walz spent 24 years in the National Guard, rising to command sergeant major, one of the top ranks for an enlisted soldier. He left the Guard in 2005, months before the battalion he led was notified that they were to be deployed to Iraq. Walz previously said his decision to retire was due to him deciding to run for Congress.
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Vance served in the Marine Corps for four years, although he never saw combat. He served as combat correspondent in Iraq between August 2005 and February 2006.
The attack against Walz appears to be in reference to remarks Walz made at a campaign rally that the Harris campaign shared on social media. The governor says while speaking about gun control: "We can make sure those weapons of war, that I carried in war, are only carried in war."
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"Well, I wonder Tim Walz, when were you ever in war? What was this weapon that you carried into war given that you abandoned your unit right before they went to Iraq and he has not spent a day in a combat zone," Vance said.
"What bothers me about Tim Waltz is the stolen valor garbage. Do not pretend to be something that you're not.
"And if you want to criticize me for getting an Ivy League education, I'm proud of the fact that my men all supported me, that I was able to make something of myself. I'd be ashamed if I was him and I lied about my military service like you did."
Luke Schroeder, a spokesman for Vance, later told Newsweek: "Tim Walz lied about carrying a weapon in a war and abandoned his unit as they prepared to actually deploy for war - he said he would answer the call, but when the call came, he ran for office instead.
"There's nothing more insulting to veterans who do answer the call to serve in a combat zone like Senator Vance did than those who engage in stolen valor to benefit their political career - which is exactly what Walz appears to have done."
A number of military veterans have since condemned Vance for attacking Walz for his military record.
Retired lieutenant general Mark Hertling, a former commander of American ground forces in Europe, posted on X: "It's unbecoming and unprofessional for anyone—especially veterans—to openly disparage anyone who has served in uniform.
"I'm personally very thankful for all who have worn the cloth of our country—for any amount of time—and who have served in our professional force."
Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, a former Navy combat pilot and astronaut who was on the shortlist to be named Harris' running mate, posted: "Hey JD Vance, did you forget what the USMC taught you about respect?
"Tim Walz spent DECADES in uniform. You both deserve to be thanked for your service. Don't become Donald Trump. He calls veterans suckers and losers and that is beneath those of us who have actually served."
Brandon Friedman, a former Obama administration official who was deployed in Afghanistan and Iraq, wrote: "No veteran who supports Walz believes he abandoned his unit. No veteran who opposes Walz believes he abandoned his unit.
"It's a dishonest political attack meant to influence people who don't know about the military. The guy simply retired after 24 years before his unit deployed."
Alexander Vindman, a retired Army lieutenant colonel, added: "Let's be clear, you served honorably, including 6 months in combat in a public affairs unit. Walz retired after 24 years and achieved the rank of command Sergeant Major. I do not think you want to compare service records."
Vance's office and the Harris-Walz campaign team have been contacted for comment via email.
Walz was previously criticized by his political opponents for retiring from the National Guard before it was deployed to Iraq during his campaign for Minnesota governor in 2018.
Joseph Eustice, a 32-year veteran of the guard who led the same battalion as Walz, defended Walz at the time.
"He was a great soldier," Eustice told the Star Tribune. "When he chose to leave, he had every right to leave."
In a 2018 interview with MPR News, Walz acknowledged he never saw combat during his time in the National Guard.
"I know that there are certainly folks that did far more than I did. I know that," Walz said. "I willingly say that I got far more out of the military than they got out of me, from the GI Bill to leadership opportunities to everything else."
Update 08/08/24 at 10:33 a.m. ET; This article was updated with comment from Vance's spokesman.
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