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Crime

Rumor Check: Was Ft. Hood Shooter Nidal Hasan Promoted, Given a Medal in Jail?

Mar. 11, 2013 11:30am Mytheos Holt

Could an obscure military regulation really have led to the infamous Fort Hood shooter, Major Nidal Hasan, being not just promoted, but awarded the medal of honor?

Rumor Check: Army Major Nidal Hasan Has Been Promoted, Received Medal of Honor

Major Nidal Hasan (Photo Credit: AP)

Certainly, at least some people think so, given the existence of a new viral rumor to precisely that effect. What is worse is that there appears (that’s a key word, but more on that later) to be at least one military news site substantiating the rumor — specifically, the Duffel Blog. From their article on the subject:

Army officials have confirmed that Nidal Hasan was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel yesterday in a small and solemn ceremony in the gathering room of Fort Leavenworth’s maximum security prison.

The alleged mastermind behind the Fort Hood Shootings was ecstatic about the crossing of a major milestone in his military career and thanked all those in attendance. Meanwhile, protests were held outside the base, with people chanting “justice for the victims” and “don’t promote.” One participant stated that this ceremony was a “slap in the face of all the victims” from the massacre. Base officials refused to comment, declaring that Hassan’s promotion was decided months ago by personnel management officials.[...]

Hasan also received a Legion of Merit from his superiors at Darnell Army Medical Center at Fort Hood upon Hasan’s transfer to Fort Leavenworth. Standard practice in the Army is to award soldiers a “Permanent Change of Station” award reflecting the sum total of their contributions while at their installation. Since Hasan’s movement to Leavenworth’s maximum security facility was technically a Permanent Change of Station, he was submitted for the award as a formality. The Legion of Merit was awarded during the same ceremony as Hasan’s promotion, although the officer presenting the award was forced to move Hasan’s beard to one side to affix it to his uniform.

The award now hangs inside Hasan’s cell, below a framed letter from Osama Bin Laden, congratulating Hasan on the “successful slaughter of dozens of infidels.”

Surely, given the existence of a news story to this effect, the rumor’s truth is cut and dried, right?

In this courtroom sketch, U.S. Army Maj. Nidal Hasan, center foreground with back showing, is seen sitting between members of is defense team during a hearing in Fort Hood, Texas, Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2012. (Photo: AP)

Actually, no. Not at all. A little cursory Googling immediately shows that the article is false. For instance, the full article mentions figures named General William Hewitt and Colonel Nathan Butterworth. No such Army officers exist. In fact, the only General William Hewitt we were able to find is a British army officer.

How could such a story be written, then? Simple: It is not a story. It is satire — a joke. The Duffel Blog is not a news site. Rather, according to its own “About” page, it is essentially a military equivalent to “The Onion”:

The Duffel Blog is sometimes referred to as “The military version of The Onion”, but this is a popular misconception. The misnomer was cleared up in May 2012 when TDB staff successfully conducted an airborne assault on the offices of The Onion News Network so that others would know “The Onion was actually the civilian version of The Duffel Blog.”[...]

We are in no way, shape, or form, a real news outlet. Just about everything on this website is satirical in nature. The content of this site is parody. No composition should be regarded as truthful, and no reference of an individual, company, or military unit seeks to inflict malice or emotional harm.

All characters, groups, and military units appearing in these works are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, or actual military units and companies is purely coincidental.

“The article was just a bit of political humor which played on stereotypes of military bureaucracy,” the popular myth-busting site Snopes.com says.

Even if you don’t find the joke funny, it’s difficult to argue with the basic fact that it is a joke, and there is no “story” to substantiate the rumor. Major Nidal Hassan remains a Major, and his only potential promotion is to the post of “ex-Major.”

More by this author:

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Comments (98)

goldilocks614
Posted on March 11, 2013 at 1:18pm
When is everyone going to realize that the Duffel Blog is a satire/fake military news site similar to the Onion? I can’t believe how many times the media falls for this site and quotes its ridiculous stories as real. My son is in the Army and this site is one of his favorites known for its mocking of political correctness and the incompetence of the Armed Services Bureaucracy. One look at the “stories” at the site and any fool would know that it is satire. What makes this site so funny is that its stories though bordering on the absurd make you ask yourself, hmmmm this could be real.

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- Detroit paperboy
  Posted on March 11, 2013 at 2:28pm
  Yeah, but now that the left has successfully infiltrated what’s left of our military,,,,,,, IT WOULDN’T SURPRISE ME A BIT ………..NOT ONE BIT !!!!!!!!!
  
  Report this comment
- paulwbrown
  Posted on March 11, 2013 at 3:39pm
  Yep Paperboy, that is what I was thinking too. So sad that we have become so politically correct that we would even for a minute consider something so absurd to be true. The massacre might not have occurred if Hasan had not been protected by Army PC idiots in charge.
  
  Report this comment
- jacques.daspy
  Posted on March 11, 2013 at 4:37pm
  NEVER EVER, underestimate the ignorance of the American News Media, particularly in reference to matters military. The Duffle Bag is an inside joke for the select few that have served and the peculiar, sophisticated sense of humor that is required to serve in the US Military.
  
  Report this comment
- SendTheMeteors
  Posted on March 11, 2013 at 7:21pm
  Republicans will believe anything.
  
  Report this comment
- Jake Dog2
  Posted on March 11, 2013 at 10:28pm
  @ Sendthemeteors
  We don’t believe you.!
  
  Report this comment
- 1DFENSE
  Posted on March 13, 2013 at 4:42am
  @PAULBROWN…”Army PC idiots in charge”,.hmmm
  
  So, what you are saying is that the politically correct U.S. Army is what made this happen? So, are you referring to Army policy or the troops in general? Let me guess..Marine, right? It doesn’t matter. Or, have you never served. That’s ok too, but before you start passing judgement on the troops that are sworn to protect your right to express your opinion you should really look at this situation as a whole from beginning to end. There is no PC policy that would have prevented this coward from doing what he did. This guy was on a mission to disrupt and kill as many people he could. He acted as a rogue and refused to quit even after he started getting hit with bullets. He attacked a facility that was in retrospect vulnerable to an attack such as the one he perpetrated. As in virtually all cases of mass shootings, the shooter attacks places and people where they are the most vulnerable to such attack. Clearly, he planned this and chose this location based on the security. He attacked when he knew there would be a high number of personnel inside. Your answer to prevent this would have been what? More non politically correct regulations? and what would they be?
  
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- troytank
  Posted on April 10, 2013 at 11:17pm
  @1dfense…you completely misinterpreted paulwbrown’s statement…i think he was saying that the shooter wouldn’t be alive anymore if it wasn’t for the PC policies…not that the shooting would’ve never happened…The only PC policy that could be removed to prevent this from happening…at least in this large of a scale…is that none of the people killed were armed…If not for the liberal policies for the military…at least one of those victims would’ve been armed and could’ve stopped him. Also…whether or not this is a fake story or not…he is in fact still a sgt and is being paid his sgt pay. 3 years after this happened and he has not only been put on trial, but he hasn’t even been court martialed yet… and that, in itself, is dispicable.
  
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arkay
Posted on March 11, 2013 at 12:56pm
his next promotion should be to face the firing squad!!!!!!!!!!!

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- walnutportconservative
  Posted on March 11, 2013 at 1:33pm
  He’ll may be surprised at where he will end up after the firing squad. There could be some gals there?
  
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- jblovesAmerica
  Posted on March 11, 2013 at 1:51pm
  Leavenworth is a very tough place to be held.
  turn him out in general population.
  he should last about 2 hrs-tops.!!
  
  Report this comment
- AZRACISTBIGOT
  Posted on March 11, 2013 at 5:48pm
  Flattened out, Doesnt a hollow point sort of resemble a silver oak leaf?
  I would gladly pin that one on his forehead along with the coveted “Target of Merit” award.
  Just Sayin!
  
  Report this comment
eramthgin
Posted on March 11, 2013 at 12:47pm
This is what happens when you create a politically correct military that you use for social experiements.

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- troytank
  Posted on April 10, 2013 at 11:20pm
  and the next social experiment…women on the frontlines…cant wait to see what disaster will occur due to this. Why dont they test their theories about women and men being equal in sports before the military. Put men and woman together in just about any physical sport and the women wont even want to play anymore after the first week.
  
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666Sucks
Posted on March 11, 2013 at 12:41pm
After 23 years in the US Army, I know promotions/awards/PCS orders were eaily flagged (stopped) all the time for Article 15s, hell justo or being overweigh! This to me proves that there are more Maj Nidals high up in the ranks and they are sending a clear message to our enemies (there brothers in Jihad) that they are in heavy if not full control of the Military. This was also an intentional Islamic slap to the victims! This is no differant then when Obama first got into the White House and he called Netenyahu on the phone and had the photographer intentionally photograph him from the bottom of his shoes up with his feet on the Resolute Desk, it was a message, we have defeated the infidels and are in control of the WhitevHouse, and Israel, go F yourself! https://www.google.com/search?q=obame+talking+to+netinyahu+with+feet+on+resolute+desk&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en&client=safari#biv=i%7C1%3Bd%7C2oQgy5eeIOdMNM%3A

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- 666Sucks
  Posted on March 12, 2013 at 6:23am
  Never heard of this site, but it sure sounded far fetched when you know how the real system works. You got me!
  
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Ailius
Posted on March 11, 2013 at 12:40pm
The reaction to the satire shows the sad state of our Army regardless. People wouldn’t be flying off the handle believing this if it wasn’t plausible given the current state of the officer promotion system.

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Ghandi was a Republican
Posted on March 11, 2013 at 12:34pm
It rings way too true to be called satire.

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- SamIamTwo
  Posted on March 11, 2013 at 12:40pm
  I call BS on that…and GB is now BS till they dig out the truth.
  
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- Dachande
  Posted on March 11, 2013 at 12:46pm
  The piece of crap is in prison. When something like that happens a DA Form 268 is initiated for an Adverse Flag which suspends all promotions, awards or anything else. Once that 268 is coded into SIDPERS it’s not possible for such things to happen, even if the paperwork was submitted prior his killing spree it would either be held or revoked, his case revoked. If a Soldier has an adverse flag things such as awards can still be received once the flag is removed. It’s not happening to this piece of garbage and I wish they’d hurry up and execute him.
  
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SamIamTwo
Posted on March 11, 2013 at 12:33pm
Something about the duffel bag bloggers.

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2012/08/the-duffel-blogs-fake-military-news-hits-the-spot/1

Prob Onion inspired, disgruntled army folk. Shake them GB. I don;t have the time and money to do it.

I hate reports on rumors…worthless. JIMHO

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- SamIamTwo
  Posted on March 11, 2013 at 12:38pm
  “Szoldra, a 28-year-old college senior, says regular contributors include about 20 volunteer writers described as “disgruntled Marines, annoyed Army guys and sickened sailors.”
  
  Report this comment
666Sucks
Posted on March 11, 2013 at 12:31pm
Add your comments

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afvetfirewoman
Posted on March 11, 2013 at 12:29pm
Please don’t give this type of storyline any more “air”time. Someone is actually going to read the first half and, figuratively, blow a gasket. This belongs in the trash, not given wings – joke or no joke.

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JeffersonsPen
Posted on March 11, 2013 at 12:26pm
Hanger this Fu%*$r NOW !………………….stop wasting time and money!

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- JeffersonsPen
  Posted on March 11, 2013 at 12:28pm
  Hang !
  
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SamIamTwo
Posted on March 11, 2013 at 12:24pm
Seriously, promoted while in Jail?

If true, I will take back all the good things I have said about the Army.

Bottle Cap Col AKA Lieutenant Colonel are dime a dozen.

This has got to be a bad rumor just to stir up dust. I hope.

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- texastommy
  Posted on March 12, 2013 at 7:40am
  Maybe if you read the article, you would have an answer to your first two words, “If true …”
  
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shorelineliz
Posted on March 11, 2013 at 12:13pm
In other News:

the Duffel Bag headquarters was pelted with rotten onions by people who thought the Hasan Ft. Hood Shooter actually got a medal. Those who could not afford the price of onions in Obama’s America used discount bullets provided by the NRA. Those who could not afford discount bullets provided free by the NRA threw rocks. Those who could not afford rocks threw dirt. Those who could not afford dirt threw amoebas. A large contingent of Atheists from the American Atheist Society thought it would be fun to pass gas on the headquarters as a publicity stung. People seemed to get a Big Bang out of that.

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trg13
Posted on March 11, 2013 at 12:08pm
I guess this makes since considering, FORT HOOD SHOOTINGS Nidal Malik Hasan exchanged e-mails with Anwar al-Awlaki before the attack at the Texas Army base in 2009.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/10/world/middleeast/anwar-al-awlaki-a-us-citizen-in-americas-cross-hairs.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&hp

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The_Fifth_Column
Posted on March 11, 2013 at 12:05pm
LOL……. There will be some that actually believe this. On a scary note….It really wouldn’t surprise me at all. Think about it, Barrack Obama actually received a Nobel Peace Prize for doing absolutely “Nothing”. Being Elected President of the US isn’t justification for the Nobel Prize. In my opinion, the Nobel Prize is completely mute now.

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- shorelineliz
  Posted on March 11, 2013 at 12:19pm
  Exactly. If Obama got a Nobel Price for doing nothing this guy could have EASILY under Obama’s military gotten a “workplace incident” medal. It probably said, “shot in the line of duty.”
  
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OldSurfRat
Posted on March 11, 2013 at 12:04pm
The only metal I would give this son of a goat f-k-er would be made of lead.

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- civilwarcometh
  Posted on March 11, 2013 at 2:27pm
  Here’s a truthful story… Military Awards Bronze Star To Air Force Chaplain For PowerPoint On Islamic Sensitivity Training…
  
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1fever15
Posted on March 11, 2013 at 12:00pm
People please read the whole article and not just the first part before making dumb ass statements about how there is no pride or honor among military commanders.

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cmsdrizzt
Posted on March 11, 2013 at 11:56am
Why is this article even on this site? I come here for news, not to waste my time!!

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- CLEttinger
  Posted on March 11, 2013 at 12:09pm
  I can’t understand reporting on a fake news story. This is moronic.
  
  Report this comment
- Al J Zira
  Posted on March 11, 2013 at 12:24pm
  The only benefit this reporting has is in case you come across it on the internet you will know the story is a fake. Otherwise your head would explode and that leads to a fortune in dry cleaning.
  
  Report this comment
heidihoneighbor
Posted on March 11, 2013 at 11:53am
AAwe okay just read the whole story ( yeah it helps) … its not a funny joke though. The joke is literally on the citizens of this country because this terrorist is holding up the system over a freaking beard he shoulfnt have in the first place.

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Melvin Spittle
Posted on March 11, 2013 at 11:49am
After the second paragraph, my blood pressure spiked and I thought I may need medical attention soon! Although a joke, when I read a similar story in the onion, I know what to expect. Because there was no indication of parody, I was going ballistic through my home and scared the hell out of my wife! I know now that I was able to successfully resist shooting my computer and therefore can be trusted with firearms under the most stressful situations.

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- 1fever15
  Posted on March 11, 2013 at 12:01pm
  Thats what makes a good parody…you never quite know until they tell you flat out.
  
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heidihoneighbor
Posted on March 11, 2013 at 11:49am
TThis tells you whos side our military is on.
This countries court system is broken, our military commanders have no pride and no honor, and our taxpayers go to work every day to pay for all of it.

This is a shameful disgrace to America
.

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- truthnstuff
  Posted on March 11, 2013 at 11:54am
  I think he will become the head of the joint chiefs as soon as the fuehrer finishes cleaning out the military.
  
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- 1fever15
  Posted on March 11, 2013 at 11:56am
  Didn’t read the whole article, did ya?
  
  Report this comment
- ltb
  Posted on March 11, 2013 at 11:57am
  Read the entire article. It was supposed to be satire – didn’t actually happen.
  
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- Melvin Spittle
  Posted on March 11, 2013 at 12:03pm
  I had the same reaction until I read the entire story and found it is a joke.
  
  To the staff of the Blaze: I am a retired combat leader and would appreciate if you would not do this in the future. I expect parody from The Onion because it is The Onion. Preface the story first! Mondays are tough enough as it is.
  
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- Melvin Spittle
  Posted on March 11, 2013 at 12:11pm
  truthnstuff, the administration has already completed the purging of the military at the highest levels. Phase I was to enact policies that would trigger voluntary retirement of senior leadership that could no longer reconcile their duty to God with their duty to their country that commanded them to turn their back on God’s word. Phase II was to relieve any leader that did not comply at the first opportunity such as what happened to Col Allen West. Phase III was to replace those that did not toe the line with those that would. This is now complete.
  
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- The_Fifth_Column
  Posted on March 11, 2013 at 12:13pm
  Read the story again……All of it this time.
  
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Locked
Posted on March 11, 2013 at 11:46am
“What is worse is that there appears (that’s a key word, but more on that later) to be at least one military news site substantiating the rumor — specifically, the Duffel Blog.”

… someone who thinks the Duffel Blog is a real news site probably is regularly aghast at what they read at The Onion or the Free Wood Post. If the pun in the name wasn’t enough to give it away, the fact that you’re getting your news from a BLOG is probably a clue that you should find a new news source.

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progressiveslayer
Posted on March 11, 2013 at 11:39am
He needs to get the yellow ribbon medal for cowardice the military came up with under this POS Marxist regime then executed quickly.

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- Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
  Posted on March 11, 2013 at 11:47am
  I have to agree with you; the matter that is most regrettable is he can only be executed once.
  
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Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on March 11, 2013 at 11:36am
How many people will see the article and automatically assume it to be true?

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- WarMunger_Al
  Posted on March 11, 2013 at 11:48am
  probably most. The sad fact is our system is so messed up, that a majority of people would expect a travesty like this to be true. There is no justice in America, there is no redress of grievances, and there is no non-violent solution.
  
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- rambosharley
  Posted on March 11, 2013 at 12:07pm
  True, most people only read headlines!
  
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AmericanStrega
Posted on March 11, 2013 at 11:36am
If this is true…WTF? On second thought, why should I be surpised?

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- ozchambers
  Posted on March 11, 2013 at 11:45am
  The line between fiction and reality is so fine, that the best satire is when they just toe far enough across the line to be absurd, yet still seem possible.
  
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- WarMunger_Al
  Posted on March 11, 2013 at 11:45am
  the only promotion should be from major to deceased. I was stupid to have not killed him on the spot. It isn’t as if he was caught/shot in the act.
  
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EQUALIZER
Posted on March 11, 2013 at 11:35am
Lets see, he killed how many unarmed Americans, and he’s Muslim you say, well then by all means he desreves a medal allright!

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- gyro
  Posted on March 11, 2013 at 11:51am
  yes and a nice shiny one
  
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- shorelineliz
  Posted on March 11, 2013 at 12:15pm
  It’s too bad he wasn’t given a medal so someone could “accidentally” strangle him with it in a “workplace” violence incident. Then that would have been justified. I guess.
  
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