In 2003, Brian Williams stated that he was in a helicopter that was shot down during the Iraq war. However, a recent protest by a solider had him recant the story.

For the past 12 years, Williams has retold the story and it seems that the story got further and further from the truth. Williams was in a helicopter, but one that was an hour behind the one attacked. He did have the opportunity to interview the soldiers of the helicopter that was shot down, but he was not on it during the attack.

After the solider protest, William’s credibility has been called into question.

“As journalists, the truth is the only currency any of us have,” said Don Kaplan, New York Daily News.

With the helicopter story coming to light, other stories Williams has reported on has been called into question. Namely, an exaggeration during Hurricane Katrina, reporting which Tom Brokaw said set Williams apart and earned him the anchor chair.

Now, with NBC launching a full scale investigation into the reports, Williams has taken a temporary leave of absence.

“I have decided to take myself off of my daily broadcast for the next several days,” he said in a memo to colleagues on Saturday afternoon.

Will he be able to continue his career with his credibility in question?

Contact Sean Gardner, Web Editor, at [email protected] for comments and questions.