No, there's plenty to gain from this, fame and fortune. This is the kind of story that leads to TV shows, book deals, movie deals. etc. Plus, of course, the obligatory GoFundMe.
The other thing is using The US Navy in this way could be criminal.
The other thing is using The US Navy in this way could be criminal.
You haven't provided an explanation grounded in stupidity. Simply agreeing that they are morons doesn't explain anything about why they created this situation and told these specific lies. You've postulated no motive, not even a stupid one.
It doesn't matter if they were heroes or not, "stories that make money" aren't always about heroism. "Survival against all odds" is another popular trope. This would fit in the "survival against all odds" category.
People make fools of themselves on reality TV just for the chance of becoming famous.