If you tuned in to America’s Got Talent Monday night, you were no doubt moved by the touching story of Timothy Poe, the solider with a stutter. Tim gave a decent rendition of the Garth Brooks song “If Tomorrow Never Comes,” made all the more touching by his story of being seriously injured in Afghanistan. According to his version of events on America’s Got Talent 2012, his back was broken and his brain damaged in a grenade blast, leading to permanent damage that caused his speech impediment.
The truly sad part, however, is that the wounded soldier America loves to cry for, America’s Got Talent 2012 contestant Timothy Poe, may not be the real deal after all.
According to Minnesota National Guard spokesman Lt. Col. Kevin Olson, this ‘wounded’ soldier’s story on America’s Got Talent 2012 may not be true. Lt. Olson states:
Sgt. Timothy Michael Poe served in the Minnesota Army National Guard from Dec. 3, 2002 until May 26, 2011, and performed as a supply specialist.
His military records indicate that he served with the Minnesota National Guard in Kosovo from Oct. 10, 2007 until July 15, 2008, and was deployed to Afghanistan from July 28, 2009 to Aug. 30, 2009.
Sgt. Poe’s official military records do not indicate that he was injured by a grenade in combat while serving in Afghanistan in 2009, as he reports. The Minnesota National Guard can also confirm that he was not awarded the Purple Heart Medal for wounds sustained in combat.
This statement has been met with outrage from fans of America’s Got Talent 2012, and with good reason. Tim Poe’s story brought me to tears and, judging by studio audience reaction, I was not alone. America has a soft spot for its servicemen, and using that position to perpetrate a scam makes it all the more disgusting.
America’s Got Talent 2012 contestant Timothy Poe is defending his position, saying that the fact that there is no record of his injury is a common problem in the armed forces. He has thus far refused, however, to provide a shred of actual evidence to back up his claims. Further damaging to his credibility is the fact that he sent in a picture of another soldier as part of the ‘proof’ to back up his story, and claimed it as a photo of himself.
That’s not Tim Poe.
That is actually a photograph of U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Norman Bone during a deployment to Afghanistan in 2006.
Not cool, Tim. With all of the evidence firmly on the side of the accusers here, it would take a lot of convincing for me to believe his side of the story at this point. The fact that he has not provided the tiniest bit of real proof to back up his claims on America’s Got Talent 2012, and that he submitted a fake photograph, is enough for me to seriously doubt his integrity.
No official word as of yet as to whether or not Tim will be axed from the show moving forward. It’s this humble woman’s opinion, however, that it would be well deserved. America’s Got Talent 2012 judge Howie Mandel is certainly not enamored of the aspiring country singer at this point, telling TMZ.com that he is “really angry with the guy.”
Shame on you, Tim.
NEXT: America’s Got Talent 2012: Timothy Poe Apologizes… Kind Of
This guy is a disgrace. Hope he enjoyed his 90 sec of fame because now he has a lifetime of shame. As for all of the BS about him having brain damage and not remembering ..his wife stood there back stage and supported him knowing full well it was lies..they both are disgusting individuals.
This guy should be ashamed of him self, What an insult to those who did serve and fight for us, I cried when I watched him, Now I’m angry, He does not deserve to be on the show.
I fully agree this guy needs help. Send him off to a combat zone. They will help him. If America’s Got Talent allows him to remain on the show, I think we should all boycott the network
I feel like it won’t matter if he continues, no one is gonna vote for him. At least I’m not.
POE
Your parents must be ashamed of you. As a Vietnam Veteran and a Combat Vet..you have no idea what a CIB is. It is issued to a soldier with a Infantry MOS. The Men and Women in your NG. Unit should give you a GI party and kick your ass..You Suck.
AIRBORNE
http://www.wfaa.com/video?id=158297025&sec=553117
Unedited 28 minute interview with Timothy Poe. I don’t think it was intentional, he needs help!
Did not studder once after walking off stage. How stupid is America? Stupid
My son was in the Army with the Tenth Mountain Div. in Iraq for 14 months. I kept every picture he sent home, so it should not be hard for Tim to produce a picture of himself. Tim this is for you, if you used the respect all our men and women deserve for their service to make a name on a tv show. SHAME ON YOU. .Go to a vet hospital and see the real heroes.
As the proud mother of a fallen hero, Army Sgt A Joseph Derrick, KIA Baghdad, Iraq Sept 23, 2005, who stuttered all his life, I am GREATLY grieved by this information. If it is indeed true, it is most shameful!