Republican vice presidential nominee J.D. Vance admitted he never saw combat in Iraq and defended Donald Trump's lack of military service.
After accusing Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz of "stolen valor" on Wednesday, Vance took questions from reporters in Wisconsin.
"I just want to ask about the accusation this morning about Walz, about abandoning his fellow soldiers," a reporter asked Vance on an airport tarmac. "Are you basing that on anything more than a Facebook post?"
"I mean, these are, as you know, serious accusations, as well, like, I mean, your running mate has faced similar accusations about avoiding service because of bone spurs," the reporter added.
Vance claimed there was a "difference" between Trump's failure to serve and Walz's decision to leave the military after 24 years.
"President Trump did not serve in the United States military," Vance admitted. "He's never claimed that he did. Walz did say on camera that 'I carried a gun in a war.'"
"And I think the evidence at this point is overwhelming that he lied about serving in a combat zone," he continued. "By the way, I served in a combat zone. I answered the call. I've never lied about my military service."
The Republican candidate accused Walz of "disgraceful conduct" and lying about combat service.
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"You fought in Iraq?" the journalist pressed.
"I was never in a firefight myself, but I've always told the truth about my Marine Corps service," Vance acknowledged.
The New Republic pointed out that Vance's military service "wasn't exactly the boots-on-the-ground experience that he's now framing it as."
"Instead, Vance served a single four-year enlistment in the public affairs section in the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, and wrote in his memoir, Hillbilly Elegy, that he was 'lucky to escape any real fighting,'" the report said.
