Walter K. Carlson

Walter K. Carlson (1946 - November 20, 2009 ) was a military imposter. Carlson was arrested in 2004 at services for Marine Lieutenant John Wroblewski who had been Killed in Action during an April small arms battle in Iraq. Carlson, who resided in Summit, New Jersey, attended the services for fellow New Jersey resident Lt. Worblweski wearing Marine Corps dress blues affixed with the rank of Captain and medals that included Navy Cross, two Silver Stars, two Bronze Stars and three Purple hearts. By coincidence, FBI agent Thomas Cottone, the bureau's specialist in illegal wearing of military awards, happened to be at the Washington Township church. Carlson caught Cottone's attention when a band played the Marines' Hymn. Cottone later said, "Anyone who's been a Marine more than two seconds would have snapped to attention, and he didn't." At his hearing, Carlson said, "I did this for myself, nobody else. I always wanted to be in the Marines. I knew one day I would get caught". Carlson was ordered by the court to pay $10,000 and surrender all of his false military items.