A Republican candidate for the US House of Representatives has been criticised after it was reported he dressed up in a German SS uniform to participate in Nazi re-enactments.
The Atlantic magazine said Rich Iott, a favourite of the conservative "tea party" movement in north-west Ohio, took part in the re-enactments for years.
Mr Iott is running in Ohio’s Ninth District against Democratic Representative Marcy Kaptur, who was first elected in 1982.
Mr Iott said he did not mean to disrespect anyone who has served in the military.
In a statement, he said: “Anyone who knows me would tell you that I am a proud American who loves this country and loves freedom and those who have died fighting to preserve it", adding "despicable accusations and distortions of the truth" were being levelled at him.
“Never, in any of my re-enacting of military history, have I meant any disrespect to anyone who served in our military or anyone who has been affected by the tragedy of war, especially the Jewish Community. I have immense respect for veterans who served our country valiantly, particularly those who fought to rid the world of tyranny and aggression by relegating Nazism to the trash heap of history," he said.
However, the Democrats’ House campaign arm said Mr Iott’s participation in the re-enactments - and the fact that Republicans embrace Mr Iott - sends a chilling message to Americans.
Photographs from Mr Iott's website show up him dressed up in US first World War and Civil War Union uniforms.
Additional reporting: AP