A North Texas man's discovery that more than 1,200 people either lied about or exaggerated their claims of serving in the Vietnam War has earned him a military honor.

B.G. "Jug" Burkett on Monday received the military branch's Distinguished Civilian Service Award. Former President George H.W. Bush presented the award to Burkett during a brief ceremony at the Bush Library in College Station.

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"He exposed a mass distortion of history that cost taxpayers billions of dollars" in undeserved veteran benefits, said Nicholson. "He returned to the Vietnam veterans their good name."