NEW: Tim Sheehy Lies About His Military Service — Again
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, August 29, 2024
CONTACT
rehm@mtdems.org
New reporting from Daily Montanan reveals that Tim Sheehy claimed he conducted a training mission in Glacier National Park – which GNP and the Navy dispute
Helena, MT – Breaking news has caught Tim Sheehy telling yet another lie about his military service.
Daily Montanan reported today that Sheehy claimed at a campaign event that he “parachuted into Glacier National Park as part of his military training in Montana — an activity a national park spokesperson said is not permitted.” The U.S. Navy also said they “did not have any record of parachute training in the park.”
Sheehy “did not respond to questions sent this week to two campaign staff members asking for details about the claim.”
This is not the first time Sheehy has lied about or exaggerated his combat record. Over a series of investigations the Washington Post revealed that Sheehy lied about how he received his gunshot wound, “offered inconsistent accounts of his war wounds,” and “offers varying accounts of how he was shot” - leading reporters to conclude “Sheehy bullet story doesn't add up.” Additional reporting revealed Sheehy has given inconsistent explanations about his departure from the military – at times saying he was medically discharged for combat injuries, and other times saying he left voluntarily after a training incident.
Daily Montanan: National parks, military dispute Sheehy’s claim that he parachuted into Glacier
By Keila Szpaller
August 29, 2024
U.S. Senate candidate Tim Sheehy recently said he parachuted into Glacier National Park as part of his military training in Montana — an activity a national park spokesperson said is not permitted.
Sheehy, a Republican and a former U.S. Navy SEAL, made the comment at a campaign event last month, according to a video posted on Facebook and shared multiple times. He used the story to tell the group about how he grew up in Minnesota, but got to know the Treasure State.
Sheehy did not respond to questions sent this week to two campaign staff members asking for details about the claim.
However, a Glacier National Park official said parachuting, hang gliding and base jumping are not allowed in the park.
Public Information Officer Gina Icenoggle said the park does not grant special permission for the U.S. military, and if the activity is taking place, it is illegal.
“There is no way to get permission,” Icenoggle said.
The Daily Montanan requested information from, the U.S. Navy about any parachute training it conducted in Glacier National Park. A Naval Special Warfare spokesperson said it trains in Montana but did not have any record of parachute training in the park.
In the video of Sheehy’s recent campaign stop, he talked about first coming to Montana after growing up in Minnesota and entering the military. He said he trained in the Limestone Hills.
Fort Harrison provides military training facilities at different sites in Montana including the Limestone Hills southeast of Helena. All branches of the military have access to the facilities overseen by the Montana National Guard.
Master Sgt. Michael Touchette said he is not aware of any arrangements with Glacier. However, he said the Guard does not have much visibility on the training Special Forces soldiers undertake.
Sheehy earlier said he lied about a different Glacier National Park incident, according to reporting this spring from The Washington Post.
In 2015, Sheehy received a citation for illegally discharging a weapon in the park, and he paid a $525 fine for it, according to records from The Washington Post; the Daily Montanan cited the Post’s reporting in an earlier story.
However, Sheehy told The Post he had lied about the illegal discharge.
He said he fell while on a hike; feared the injury had dislodged an old, unreported bullet in his arm; and manufactured the story about the illegal discharge to dissuade any investigation into whether he had been shot by friendly fire while on duty overseas.
Sheehy did not release medical records from the incident.
###
