We have done a few posts on the existence of people who falsely claim to be SEALs, such as how these people are exposed by groups like the POW Network and the significance of the Stolen Valor Act of 2005.

Unfortunately, a seemingly touching feature on The Friday Flyer that came just before Memorial Day and was shared in a previous post turned out to be the story of one of these people.

The Friday Flyer published a retraction to their original story today on Mike Meeks, who recounted wartime exploits in Vietnam and the discovery that someone who saved his life during a seemingly hopeless situation turned out to be a golf buddy.

The retraction came in the wake of responses received from former Navy SEALs as well as the office of the Naval Special Warfare Command. The Friday Flyer received communication from Steve Robinson, a former SEAL and now author and webmaster for CyberSEALs.org. He, along with Steve Collins, also a former SEAL and president of Black Ice Security Systems, are investigators who expose those who make false claims in order to protect the integrity of the SEALs.

Apparently, Mike Meeks is not listed in the SEAL Database, which contains a record of all SEALs — active, retired, deceased and discharged. This database, while able to accurately provide confirmation regarding the validity of an alleged SEAL’s claims, is not available to the public – for obvious reasons. The Naval Special Warfare Command also stated that there is no record of anyone with the last name of Meeks enlisting with the Navy or becoming a Navy SEAL.

Mike Meeks, who is reportedly suffering from Parkinson’s disease, has reportedly contacted the Naval Special Warfare Command and admitted to making false claims. He also reportedly consented to the retraction article ran by The Friday Flyer.