Posted on 05/04/2006 2:59:23 AM PDT by R. Scott
Phony Medals of Honor Increase
The organization reports that there are 113 living recipients of the nation's highest military award, but an FBI agent who tracks the fakes said impostors outnumber the true heroes."There are more and more of these impostors, and they are literally stealing the valor and acts of valor of the real guys," said Agent Tom Cottone, who also works on an FBI violent crime squad in West Paterson, N.J.
Some fakers merely brag about receiving the award - and that's not illegal - but some impostors wear military uniforms and bogus medals. The FBI has about 25 pending investigations of such phony heroes, said Cottone.
Anyone convicted of fraudulently wearing the Medal of Honor faces up to a year in prison and a $100,000 fine. But there's no such penalty for other medals.
Continued at Source
While I think the phonies are lower than a Congresscritter (and THAT's low!!), phony MOH awardees have been around since the medal was initially awarded.
I can't say the rest for the same reason as R. Scott.
I read the title of this post and thought
it was another JF'nK article.
Even Hanoi John doesn’t have that kind of cajones.
The Medal of Honor Society will soon have a searchable database for verifying stories.
Another Medal of Honor site, medalofhonor.com has a listing by conflict of the honorees.
Congressman John Salazar has introduced an act (HR 3352) with the following text:
" `(b) False Claims About Receipt of Military Medals- Whoever falsely represents himself or herself, verbally or in writing, to have been awarded any decoration or medal authorized by Congress for the armed forces of the United States, or any of the service medals or badges awarded to the members of such forces, or the ribbon, button, or rosette of any such badge, decoration or medal, or any colorable imitation thereof shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than six months, or both.'; and
(5) by adding at the end the following:
`(d) Other Medals- If a decoration or medal involved in an offense under subsection (a) or (b) is a Distinguished Service Cross awarded under Section 3742 of title 10, an Air Force Cross awarded under section 8742 of section 10, a Navy cross awarded under section 6242 of title 10, a silver star awarded under section 3746, 6244, or 8746 of title 10, or a Purple Heart awarded under section 1129 of title 10, or any replacement or duplicate medal as authorized by statute, in lieu of the punishment provided in that subsection, the offender shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 1 year, or both.'."
It covers more than just the Medal of Honor. It's just sitting in Committee....what's with the members of congress?
A 'displayed' certificate should be your first tip off that you are probably dealing with a wannabe. I don't know of anyone with the genuine article who 'displays' it.
But I will say this, get rid of the fine, put the convicted person into a 6 week boot camp (Army or Marine), then place him in a unit in Iraq or Afghanistan for 6 years mandatory to 'give him a chance' to earn a MOH. Maybe then they can at least earn a PH posthumously.
Anyone that would lie about receiving a MOH is nuttin' but puke slime!!!
Dad's silver star and two bronze stars are both hidden away in the closet in his office. He received the silver and the first bronze in Korea, the second bronze he got in Vietnam.
Close to my thoughts - but a bit gentle.
....what's with the members of congress?
I’d like to see some displayed. I like to talk about “The Good Old Days” – and phonies are pretty easy to spot.
Sounds like a plan. Just make sure everyone in the unit knows why he is there.
My Dad was awarded a Silver Star for his actions during the North Africa campaign in 1943. He didn't mention to anyone for 50 years.
Most never do.......
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