‘That’s Stolen Valor’: Troy Nehls Under Fire From Fellow Republicans Over Combat Pin

Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call via AP Images

Rep. Troy Nehls (R-TX) has come under fire in recent months after a CBS News investigation called into question the Texas Republican’s military medal claims. NOTUS, a new publication founded by Robert Allbritton’s foundation, followed up on the CBS report on Thursday with a detailed look at how Republicans are reacting to Nehls continuing to “wear a lapel pin for infantrymen or Special Forces who fought in active combat” – despite the badge being revoked from his service record.

“The CBS News investigation also found his Combat Infantryman Badge from Afghanistan was revoked from his service record in March 2023 because Nehls served as a civil affairs officer, not as an infantryman or Special Forces soldier. The congressman continues to wear the Combat Infantryman Badge lapel pin on his suit,” reported CBS News in May.

Nehls hit back at the CBS report which also claimed that he was awarded only one Bronze Star, not two, by posting a photo of his two Bronze Stars. The Pentagon later said it would investigate why Nehls’s service record only showed the one medal, despite Nehls having documentation for two.

NOTUS spoke to several Republican House members, who are also veterans, and reported that Nehls continuing to wear the Combat Infantryman Badge pin has irked some of his colleagues.

“It matters. As a former commander, it matters what you wear on your uniform,” Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-MT) told NOTUS.

“And if you didn’t earn it, you shouldn’t wear it,” added the former Navy SEAL and Trump administration official.

“That’s ridiculous. That’s stolen valor,” Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-TX) told NOTUS, explaining that the badge is for those who “engaged with the enemy.”

NOTUS’s John T. Seward wrote in his report that Nehls’s “Republican colleagues in the House have noticed that he hasn’t removed the badge — one he’s worn since joining Congress in 2021. NOTUS spoke with a dozen military veteran Republican lawmakers about Nehls’ pin. Some were granted anonymity to speak freely about their colleague. Eight expressed deep frustration with Nehls for wearing the pin. Those who were more reluctant to cast aspersions said they took the matter seriously and were independently reviewing the allegations against the Texas Republican.

“We hold ourselves to a higher standard as veterans. He needs to stop wearing it,” an unnamed House Republican told Seward, another was quoted saying:

“If you’re wearing something that’s specifically been addressed as something you can’t wear, that is stolen valor,” another Republican lawmaker said. “It’s specifically addressed in U.S. Code, that particular badge,” they added, noting that if the person did not serve in the infantry but continues to wear the badge, it’s “illegal and stolen.”

Nehls is currently facing an investigation by the House Ethics Committee into alleged campaign finance issues. “The independent office that reviews allegations against House members found probable cause that Rep. Troy Nehls of Texas converted campaign funds to personal use,” reported the AP in May.

Read the full NOTUS report here.