The Minnesota National Guard claims they have no record of combat injuries alleged to have been suffered by ‘America’s Got Talent’ contestant Timothy Michael Poe.
The former serviceman appeared on the NBC show Monday night, claiming that his pronounced stutter was the result of a broken back and brain injury suffered in Afghanistan in 2009.
Howie Mandel, Sharon Osbourne and Howard Stern were clearly impressed with the bravery and resilience of Poe and advanced him to the next round of competition.
Not so fast says National Guard spokesman Lt. Col Kevin Olson. While acknowledging that Poe served as a supply specialist in the Minnesota Army National Guard from Dec. 3, 2002 until May 26, 2011, there is no record of an injury or a Purple Heart Medal that would have been awarded.
According to his military records he did a stint in Kosovo from Oct. 10, 2007 until July 15, 2008, and was deployed to Afghanistan from July 28, 2009 to August 30, 2009.
NBC has not yet commented on the status of Poe, who performed If Tomorrow Never Comes.
Howard Stern was asked about it on Twitter. He responded, “Waiting to get the facts. If true I’m disgusted.”
Check out his television appearance and a report from KARE 11 in the Twin Cities where his Guard unit is located.
Photo: WENN, NBC-America’s Got Talent