Maryland Gov. Wes Moore has publicly admitted to a significant error in a past White House fellowship application regarding his military commendations.

Moore attributed the inclusion of the Bronze Star on his application to a misunderstanding during his military service and expressed regret over not amending the error.

In 2006, at the age of 27, Moore, then an ambitious young military officer, applied for a prestigious White House fellowship.

During this time, he was led to believe by his superiors that he had been recommended for the Bronze Star, a notable U.S. military decoration.

The Miscommunication Behind the Claim

The confusion began when Moore's deputy brigade commander encouraged him to apply for the fellowship. This senior officer, along with two others, informed Moore of his recommended status for the award.

Trusting in their guidance, Moore included the commendation on his application.

"While serving overseas with the Army, I was encouraged to fill out an application for the White House Fellowship by my deputy brigade commander. In fact, he helped me edit it before I sent it in," Moore explained.

He further stated, "At the time, he had recommended me for the Bronze Star. He told me to include the Bronze Star award on my application after confirming with two other senior-level officers that they had also signed off on the commendation," he added.

Discovery and Regret

Towards the end of his deployment, Moore discovered that the recommendation for the Bronze Star had not materialized into an actual award.

Despite this realization, Moore did not update his application, a decision he now regrets.

"I was disappointed to learn that I hadn't received the Bronze Star towards the end of my deployment," Moore admitted. "But I was ready to begin the next phase of my life because the reward for service is never an award -- it's the opportunity to give back to your country," he reflected on his transition from military to civilian life.

Continued Commitment to Veterans

After returning home, Moore shifted his focus towards veteran support and advocacy, an effort he has sustained throughout his political career. As governor, Moore continues to prioritize initiatives aimed at assisting veterans and their families.

"When I returned home, I was focused on helping my fellow veterans, a mission I continue to advance as governor," Moore stated, emphasizing the importance of service beyond military accolades.

Addressing the Error

The issue came to light following a report by the New York Times, which prompted Moore to address the discrepancy publicly.

He described the situation as "an honest mistake" and expressed a sincere desire to have rectified the record at the time.

"Still, I sincerely wish I had gone back to correct the note on my application. It was an honest mistake, and I regret not making that correction. But do not think for a moment that this attack on my record holds any bearing on how I feel about my service, my soldiers, or our country," Moore explained, addressing the broader implications of the oversight.

Moore's Military and Civil Service

The episode has not dampened Moore's resolve to serve both his state and the nation. His commitment to public service, particularly to those who have served in the military, remains undiminished despite this early career misstep.

Moore's ongoing work with veteran-related initiatives highlights his dedication to those who have served, underscoring a career built around service and advocacy rather than personal recognition.