A former U.S. Marine pleaded guilty Tuesday to submitting a false Purple Heart application to the Marine Corps, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts.

According to the office, Paul John Herbert, 54, of Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts, admitted to one count of making false statements.

The office stated that beginning on Oct. 13, 2010, Herbert submitted numerous false statements to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) regarding IED-related injuries to support a disability compensation claim.

Based on these false claims, the VA overpaid Herbert $344,040 between Jan. 1, 2010, and March 1, 2023, according to the office.

Moreover, according to the office, on Oct. 24, 2018, Herbert requested assistance from his congressman for a Purple Heart application, including a notarized letter falsely stating he had been injured by a roadside explosion.

U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley emphasized the significance of the Purple Heart, underscoring its solemn recognition of service members who have sacrificed in the line of duty.

“Veterans know well that the Purple Heart honors those brave service members who were injured or killed in the line of duty,” said Foley.

“Herbert knew that he did not deserve this widely recognized and respected award, but that did not stop him from lying about a traumatic brain injury and stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars in disability benefits.”

The charge of making a false statement carries a sentence of up to five years...

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