Man pleads guilty to impersonating Marine - Marine Corps News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Marine Corps Times

Man pleads guilty to impersonating Marine

TACOMA, Wash. — A Puyallup man who once gave the opening prayer for the Washington state Senate while posing as a Marine Corps captain admitted in court April 5 that he was a fake.

Reggie L. Buddle, 59, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to unlawful wearing of U.S. military medals and decorations. He faces a maximum six months in prison and a $5,000 fine when sentenced June 21.

“Falsely claiming medals is stealing valor from those who put themselves in harm's way protecting this great country,'' said Special Agent in Charge Douglas Carver, with the Veteran Affairs Department.

Buddle has never served in the Marines, but during 2005 and 2006 he repeatedly posed as a decorated Marine captain, the U.S. Justice Department said in a statement April 5. He wore a uniform that included medals awarded for extraordinary contribution to national defense and heroism in combat, as well as one given to service members who served in Vietnam.

He bought the uniform at a military surplus store, said Colin Fieman, Buddle's federal defender. The medals belonged to his brother, a Marine who died in Vietnam.

Buddle, who wasn't ordained, also posed as a Marine Corps chaplain, presiding at weddings, baptisms and funerals of service members, the release said.

He wore the uniform and posed as a chaplain Feb. 27, 2006, while attending the opening ceremony of the state Senate in Olympia, where he gave the opening prayer.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ron Friedman said April 5 that marriages that Buddle presided over would still be lawfully recognized.

“Under the state law ... if you believe that the person officiating at your wedding is lawfully authorized to officiate, then your marriage certificate would remain valid,'' he said.