TV contestant confused about Iraq claims

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SAN ANTONIO, June 9 (UPI) -- "America's Got Talent" singer Timothy Michael Poe said he "never intended to hurt anyone" with disputed claims he made about being shot in Iraq.

During Monday's performance on the reality television talent show, Poe, stuttering, told judges he suffered back and head injuries during a 2009 fire fight in Afghanistan and was shot in 2005 in Iraq.

Minnesota National Guard officials denied Poe's story, saying he was sent home from Afghanistan with an ear problem and was never deployed to Iraq, the San Antonio Express-News reported Friday.

Poe's fiancee, Carrie Morris, told the newspaper Poe has had memory problems since a 2005 training accident, leading him to believe he served in Iraq and tried to protect fellow soldiers from a grenade attack in 2009 in Afghanistan.

He's sorry "for everything's that's been going on," Morris, of Cleburne, Texas, said. "He is apologizing for the families of the soldiers who have lost their lives. He was apologizing to the soldiers that are upset with him. You know, he doesn't understand everything that's been going on."

"Do I think he's absolutely crazy? No, I don't. Do I think he's crazy? No. I just think he needs a little help," she added.