Aug 30, 2024 - Politics & Policy

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore regrets "honest mistake" on Bronze Star

Mike Allen

Gov. Moore on convention stage — Maryland Gov. Wes Moore leaves the stage after speaking at the Democratic convention in Chicago last week. Photo: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore — a rising Democratic star, and potential future presidential candidate — calls it "an honest mistake" that he regrets not correcting:

Two years after a campaign controversy over a description of Moore as a Bronze Star honoree (he isn't), The New York Times published his 2006 application for a White House fellowship, which claimed he received the Bronze Star for service in Afghanistan in the Army's 82nd Airborne Division.

Moore — now 45, then 27 — won the fellowship.

The Times' Reid Epstein obtained the document this week as part of a Freedom of Information Act request.

What they're saying: "I was encouraged to fill out an application for the White House Fellowship by my deputy brigade commander," Moore said in a statement. "In fact, he helped me edit it before I sent it in. At the time, he had recommended me for the Bronze Star. He told me to include the Bronze Star award on my application after confirming with two other senior-level officers that they had also signed off on the commendation."

The Times talked to the superior officer, Michael Fenzel, now a lieutenant general, who said he told Moore he'd been approved for the medal and advised him: "You've got to include it ... If you are selected as a White House fellow, you're going to be wearing it whenever you're wearing your uniform."

Fenzel told The Times he'll resubmit the paperwork so Moore can be awarded the medal.

Go deeper: Read Moore's statement ... See his 2006 fellowship application.

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Maryland Gov. Wes Moore regrets "honest mistake" on Bronze Star

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