0349054
10-16-2005, 01:54 PM
Old news; this article is from August 2002 - but for anyone who isn't familiar with him, or is attending a talk by him maybe if you read this you might think again.
Vets question military claims by Elvis' bodyguard
By MICHAEL D. SALLAH
BLADE NATIONAL AFFAIRS WRITER
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The Lucas County Veterans Service Commission is trying to determine if Richard Grob can be prosecuted for the claims in his book, The Elvis Conspiracy?
When former Toledo policeman Richard Grob wrote a book about his days as Elvis Presley's bodyguard, he offered an impressive resume beyond protecting the king of rock n' roll: winning the Purple Heart and the Silver Star for combat bravery.
But those claims by the well-known Elvis celebrity have turned out to be bogus - prompting an investigation by a local veteran's organization.
The Lucas County Veterans Service Commission is trying to determine if Richard Grob can be prosecuted for the claims in his book, The Elvis Conspiracy?
"He ought to be ashamed for what he did. People have died for those medals," said Robert Mettler, director of the local office and a Vietnam veteran.
The inquiry began on Aug. 19 - a week after The Blade reported the discrepancies in an article about Mr. Grob, a former Air National Guard reservist who later became chief of security for Elvis Presley.
A keynote speaker at national Elvis conventions, Mr. Grob wrote in his book he was an Air Force officer who was awarded two of the nation's highest combat honors before he was eventually offered a job by Elvis Presley in 1967.
The son of a army officer killed in the Korean War, Mr. Grob compares himself to his father by writing: "I received only one silver star to his four, and only one Purple Heart to his four."
But a review of the ex-policeman's Air Force records show he dropped out of the academy after 71/2 months in 1959, and spent three years as an Air National Guard clerk and policeman in Harrisburg, Pa., and Toledo.
The records show he never served in Vietnam, and was discharged in 1964 as an airman second class - not a commissioned officer.
The 63-year-old ex-bodyguard who once walked a police beat in downtown Toledo refused to comment on the claims, which have stirred debate among veteran's groups in Toledo, where he was raised. "I'm not even going to dignify that with a response," says Mr. Grob, who now lives in Las Vegas.
Joe Esposito, one of Elvis' closest friends and a longtime member of the singer's inner circle, said Mr. Grob used to talk about his years "as a combat pilot" when they traveled on the road with Elvis from 1967 to 1977.
"Dick told all of us, including Elvis, he was a fighter pilot," Mr. Esposito told The Blade.
"He was shot down. I think Elvis was taken by that. I guess I believed it at the time. I don't know. We all were told the same thing. Dick has been saying that stuff for years."
The 1957 DeVilbiss High School graduate has been embroiled in controversy before - most recently in 1997 when he claimed to have found an unreleased recording of Elvis, a discovery that created national news.
But the record, which Mr. Grob says was signed and given to him by Elvis, was challenged by RCA - which co-owns the rights to Elvis' music - saying the voice did not belong to the legendary singer.
Mr. Grob also claimed in his 1996 book that Elvis' girlfriend, Ginger Alden, found his body on the bathroom floor the day of his death, but she never bothered to call for help right away - possibly contributing to his demise.
But a health-care expert and family friend who reviewed the 44-page autopsy report - kept secret by the family for 25 years - said Elvis died at least three hours before she found him, casting doubts she ever could have saved him.
"She was in no position to revive him," said the family friend, who asked not to be identified. "That was just wrong."
Though Mr. Grob has weathered controversy before, the military claims are being investigated by Mr. Mettler and other members of the veterans commission. He says he is also asking the U.S. attorney's office in Toledo and the U.S. Air Force to assist in the investigation.
Federal law bans anyone from impersonating an officer of any U.S. military organization - a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. But in the case of Mr. Grob, the claims are from the past.
Assistant U.S. attorney David Bauer said if the former bodyguard applied for benefits or veteran's claims using the phony information, he could be prosecuted. Lucas County Common Pleas Judge Ron Bowman, a retired army major general, said he's asking the U.S. attorney's office to investigate the matter. "This is the type of stuff that needs to be exposed," he said.
In the past decade, the backgrounds of numerous political, celebrity, and sports figures have been revealed, often costing them their careers. Former Oregon Congressman Wes Cooley, a one-term Republican, lost his seat in 1996 after it was revealed he lied about serving in the army in Korea. Toronto Blue Jays manager Tim Johnson was fired in 1999 after it was exposed that he fabricated tales of fighting in Vietnam.
Mr. Grob, who signs autographs and appears at Elvis fan events, was most recently a guest speaker at a 25th anniversary event of Elvis' death sponsored by Graceland in Memphis on Aug. 14. Two days later, he was the master of ceremonies at an event in Portland, Maine - the city where Elvis was to perform before he died.
Mr. Mettler says he investigates dozens of false claims a year by people who contend they've served in the military, or received combat recognition. But he says these claims have been the most high profile from any veteran from this area.
Ironically, Mr. Grob's father, Richard Grob, Sr., was a legitimate war hero when he died in 1951, said Mr. Mettler. "He would probably be rolling over in his grave if he knew this," he said.
Edward Vincent, commander of VFW Post 3013 in Springfield Township, said Mr. Grob "has already hung himself" by including the information in the biography of his book. "As far as I'm concerned you expose these people for who they are, and you move on."
Vets question military claims by Elvis' bodyguard
By MICHAEL D. SALLAH
BLADE NATIONAL AFFAIRS WRITER
http://toimages.us.publicus.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=TO&Date=20020829&Category=NEWS17&ArtNo=108290059&Ref=H1&MaxW=240
(javascript:NewWindow(600,400,'/apps/pbcs.dll/misc?url=/templates/zoom.pbs&Site=TO&Date=20020829&Category=NEWS17&ArtNo=108290059&Ref=H1');)
The Lucas County Veterans Service Commission is trying to determine if Richard Grob can be prosecuted for the claims in his book, The Elvis Conspiracy?
When former Toledo policeman Richard Grob wrote a book about his days as Elvis Presley's bodyguard, he offered an impressive resume beyond protecting the king of rock n' roll: winning the Purple Heart and the Silver Star for combat bravery.
But those claims by the well-known Elvis celebrity have turned out to be bogus - prompting an investigation by a local veteran's organization.
The Lucas County Veterans Service Commission is trying to determine if Richard Grob can be prosecuted for the claims in his book, The Elvis Conspiracy?
"He ought to be ashamed for what he did. People have died for those medals," said Robert Mettler, director of the local office and a Vietnam veteran.
The inquiry began on Aug. 19 - a week after The Blade reported the discrepancies in an article about Mr. Grob, a former Air National Guard reservist who later became chief of security for Elvis Presley.
A keynote speaker at national Elvis conventions, Mr. Grob wrote in his book he was an Air Force officer who was awarded two of the nation's highest combat honors before he was eventually offered a job by Elvis Presley in 1967.
The son of a army officer killed in the Korean War, Mr. Grob compares himself to his father by writing: "I received only one silver star to his four, and only one Purple Heart to his four."
But a review of the ex-policeman's Air Force records show he dropped out of the academy after 71/2 months in 1959, and spent three years as an Air National Guard clerk and policeman in Harrisburg, Pa., and Toledo.
The records show he never served in Vietnam, and was discharged in 1964 as an airman second class - not a commissioned officer.
The 63-year-old ex-bodyguard who once walked a police beat in downtown Toledo refused to comment on the claims, which have stirred debate among veteran's groups in Toledo, where he was raised. "I'm not even going to dignify that with a response," says Mr. Grob, who now lives in Las Vegas.
Joe Esposito, one of Elvis' closest friends and a longtime member of the singer's inner circle, said Mr. Grob used to talk about his years "as a combat pilot" when they traveled on the road with Elvis from 1967 to 1977.
"Dick told all of us, including Elvis, he was a fighter pilot," Mr. Esposito told The Blade.
"He was shot down. I think Elvis was taken by that. I guess I believed it at the time. I don't know. We all were told the same thing. Dick has been saying that stuff for years."
The 1957 DeVilbiss High School graduate has been embroiled in controversy before - most recently in 1997 when he claimed to have found an unreleased recording of Elvis, a discovery that created national news.
But the record, which Mr. Grob says was signed and given to him by Elvis, was challenged by RCA - which co-owns the rights to Elvis' music - saying the voice did not belong to the legendary singer.
Mr. Grob also claimed in his 1996 book that Elvis' girlfriend, Ginger Alden, found his body on the bathroom floor the day of his death, but she never bothered to call for help right away - possibly contributing to his demise.
But a health-care expert and family friend who reviewed the 44-page autopsy report - kept secret by the family for 25 years - said Elvis died at least three hours before she found him, casting doubts she ever could have saved him.
"She was in no position to revive him," said the family friend, who asked not to be identified. "That was just wrong."
Though Mr. Grob has weathered controversy before, the military claims are being investigated by Mr. Mettler and other members of the veterans commission. He says he is also asking the U.S. attorney's office in Toledo and the U.S. Air Force to assist in the investigation.
Federal law bans anyone from impersonating an officer of any U.S. military organization - a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. But in the case of Mr. Grob, the claims are from the past.
Assistant U.S. attorney David Bauer said if the former bodyguard applied for benefits or veteran's claims using the phony information, he could be prosecuted. Lucas County Common Pleas Judge Ron Bowman, a retired army major general, said he's asking the U.S. attorney's office to investigate the matter. "This is the type of stuff that needs to be exposed," he said.
In the past decade, the backgrounds of numerous political, celebrity, and sports figures have been revealed, often costing them their careers. Former Oregon Congressman Wes Cooley, a one-term Republican, lost his seat in 1996 after it was revealed he lied about serving in the army in Korea. Toronto Blue Jays manager Tim Johnson was fired in 1999 after it was exposed that he fabricated tales of fighting in Vietnam.
Mr. Grob, who signs autographs and appears at Elvis fan events, was most recently a guest speaker at a 25th anniversary event of Elvis' death sponsored by Graceland in Memphis on Aug. 14. Two days later, he was the master of ceremonies at an event in Portland, Maine - the city where Elvis was to perform before he died.
Mr. Mettler says he investigates dozens of false claims a year by people who contend they've served in the military, or received combat recognition. But he says these claims have been the most high profile from any veteran from this area.
Ironically, Mr. Grob's father, Richard Grob, Sr., was a legitimate war hero when he died in 1951, said Mr. Mettler. "He would probably be rolling over in his grave if he knew this," he said.
Edward Vincent, commander of VFW Post 3013 in Springfield Township, said Mr. Grob "has already hung himself" by including the information in the biography of his book. "As far as I'm concerned you expose these people for who they are, and you move on."