James McClain resigned Friday from Gov. Mark Sanford's Cabinet after questions were raised about his claims of being a Marine Corps pilot.

When he appointed him in April to be director of the Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services, Sanford hailed McClain as the "Colin Powell" of his administration and a "fighter jock cowboy."

Sanford press secretary Will Folks said the information McClain submitted to the governor's office and to the Senate as part of his background check was different from what was on a resume he later gave the governor's spokesmen.

In the resume, McClain lists under "experience highlights" that he was a "tactical jet aviator (combat)." That information was not included in what McClain submitted as part of his background report.

What he did list, Folks said, was that he was a career Marine officer. That and other information checked out, Folks said.

In his resignation letter, dated Friday, McClain gives no reason for leaving but offers his resignation "with the deepest regret."

McClain could not be reached for comment Friday, nor could a spokesman for the agency.

Sanford wished McClain good luck and commended him for the job he has done the past five months. But Sanford offered no explanation for McClain's exit.

The resignation came during an inquiry "into alleged in-accuracies in (McClain's) resume," according to a news release from Sanford's office. Chief of staff Fred Carter and chief legal counsel Henry White were investigating McClain's background, specifically his role in the Marine Corps.

State Sen. John Courson, R-Richland, is a Marine Corps veteran. McClain's deception "bothers me as a Marine, but also as a South Carolinian," he said.

"I don't think one embellishes one's resume to the extent one fabricates their positions in the armed services. It's dishonest."

In the resume submitted to the governor's office, McClain also says he was "Director of Public Affairs, USMC" and "Spokesman for U.S. Marine Corps (Air) during Desert Storm."

McClain told The Greenville News last week that he was director of public affairs for the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing at the El Toro Air Station in California.

McClain also said he described his role "as a spokesman," "not the spokesman" for the Marines.

According to reports, McClain was not a Marine pilot and did not complete flight school.

A Pentagon spokesman could not immediately confirm McClain's Marine Corps background Friday.

During an April news conference to announce McClain's appointment, Sanford said McClain "is the personification of the word leadership."

"Normally," Sanford said with McClain at his side, "when people say, 'Ah, that's just another fighter jock cowboy,' it's a pejorative term. In this case, it's accurate."

Sanford also said, as McClain looked on, "he's lived his dream, which is to be a cowboy and a fighter pilot."

McClain never corrected Sanford, or reporters who repeatedly referred to him as a pilot, fighter pilot or aviator in newspapers and on television stations around the state.

State Sen. Mike Fair, R-Greenville, chairs the Penology and Corrections Committee that interviewed McClain and recommended his confirmation to the full Senate. Fair said Friday he's disappointed.

"He really didn't need to pad his resume," Fair said. "He was a great candidate, and I think he was doing a great job."

House Minority Leader James Smith, D-Richland, is in the National Guard. "It's such a gross action to take and highly offensive for those who have served," he said.

It's unfortunate, Smith said, because becoming a Marine is accomplishment enough.

"It's difficult to see why someone would go to such lengths to lie on their resume when it seems so unnecessary for what he's accomplished," Smith said.

Folks would not answer other questions regarding McClain, the background vetting process originally conducted or the more recent internal investigation into McClain's resume.

Columbia attorney Steve Benjamin was the agency's director under former Gov. Jim Hodges from 1999 to 2002. He resigned to run for attorney general, a race he lost to Republican Henry McMaster.

Benjamin said the background process he went through for the job was extensive. The State Law Enforcement Division did a criminal background check and submitted extensive financial and credit information. All his professional references were checked, Benjamin said.

Among the references on his resume, McClain lists several generals, as well as television broadcaster Tom Brokaw.

Sanford's office said agency chief of staff Stephen Birnie would lead Probation, Parole and Pardon until an interim appointment is made.

Reach Gould Sheinin at (803) 771-8658 or asheinin@thestate.com.