NBC News anchor Brian Williams is taking a lot of heat for lying about coming under fire when covering the Iraq War.

Williams claimed a little over a week ago, his helicopter came under attack when he was covering the war in 2003.  

Veterans challenged that recollection and it was revealed Williams was in the helicopter behind the one that was fired upon.

COCC journalism professor Jon Boulknight says the exaggeration has turned into a firestorm.

"He attributes the mistake in that apology to the fog of memory.  And he acknowledged he made a mistake, but I don't think he acknowledged the gravity of the mistake."

NBC News is conducting an investigation into the matter and  Williams has taken himself off the anchor desk for a little while.