Posted on 06/23/2006 1:49:55 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin
FOND DU LAC, Wis. (AP) -- A 60-year-old man faces a federal trial for wearing military medals or decorations that prosecutors say he did not earn.
William James Richardson, of North Fond du Lac, is charged with a misdemeanor of knowingly wearing a badge authorized by Congress for the country's armed forces without authorization, the federal court in Milwaukee said.
Trial was set for Aug. 3 by Judge Aaron E. Goodstein at a hearing on Tuesday.
No plea has been entered yet.
Richardson said that former members of the Fond du Lac American Legion, of which he is a member, have been harassing him. He said they're making a bigger deal out of his case than is necessary.
"They're trying to make a federal case out of a misdemeanor case," he said.
He would not say whether he wore medals he did not earn.
John Stateson, a World War II veteran, served on the Fond du Lac American Legion firing squad with Richardson. He said he reported Richardson to the Federal Bureau of Investigation after Richardson tried to join the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
"He wasn't a veteran of foreign wars," Stateson said.
He said he believed Richardson served in the U.S. Army for two months in Germany but was not eligible to be a member of the VFW.
Bud Ruckman, a former member of the Fond du Lac American Legion, said he had spoken with Richardson several times because he felt Richardson was wearing medals that he had not earned for years.
"I confronted him and said, 'Bill, you're wrong,'" he said.
Stateson said Richardson continued to wear the medals in public, including a Distinguished Service Cross, the second highest award for valor.
Ruckman said that Richardson was still a member of the Fond du Lac American Legion. He said he and five other members left the group or transferred because they did not agree with a decision to allow Richardson to stay on as a member.
Stateson and Ruckman said wearing medals that have not been earned is a disgrace to veterans of war and people who have lost loved ones in wars.
"That's a mockery. That's a slap in the face," said Ruckman, a World War II and Korean War veteran. "He's a disgrace to the families who lost family members."
http://www.fdlreporter.com
Fond du Lac?
They lie about the size of the fish they catch upn there too.
Bingo!
Semper Fi
This is the way I look at it -
There are people who spent years from home, have malaria, lost limbs, eyesight or even their life. They are decorated with awards for their actions, participation or just the hardship and sacrifice they endured or gave for the cause. People who want lie about this and pretend to be something they are not, that's just not cool in my book.
I'm not saying to lock this guy up. But exposing frauds is OK.
Well, it's older than 67 (my age)...I keep trying it and my kids won't let me get away with it, darn!
Overkill? I mean, maybe the old guy is just a tad mentally ill or something. An FBI case over this? Come on.
During a war, I don't think people should be getting "war hero" treatment that they don't deserve. Maybe FBI is a bit much, but maybe this will stop people from lying.
I'm 67 and extremely physically fit. I would bet more fit than you at any age.
What is this old guy crap but ageism?
You may want to check your aim. I wasn't the one who made the "old guy" comment. I responded to it.
My brother-in-law (First Inf. 7th Cav. 66-68) would be a case in point. Three wounds: Pun-gee through foot (no infection), grenade fragments (cuts, no stitches) and a bullet crease on forehead (stitches required). When he was being stitched up for the bullet crease he asked about a purple heart and was told:
"No, not this one. Now if it had been a couple of inches deeper..."
He also said there is no way he could accept a PH after seeing what other guys went through to get ones for far more serious wounds.
Mandelbaum.
Army surplus stores. They are easy to get.
But they have good beer, Ya Hey! ;)
You can order medals on-line, actually. And anyone that lives near a military base and can access the PX could easily get them.
It's not that unusual for military members to need to replace ribbons from time to time. Stuff wears out, and if you're going before an important board (say, your Courts Martial in this case, LOL!) you want to look sharp with bright ribbons and shiney medals. ;)
You can get a DSC medal in a Army surplus store,wow,
My daddy earned a PH in the D-Day invasion,I mean really earned it
96% disability from VA. Had a scar from below his left butt to his right
shoulder,enough shrapnel to set off metal detectors.
Phoney medal wearers are a disgrace
There are collectors for medals. Back in my younger days I collected shoulder sleeve insignias (I gave my collection away years ago), but I would haunt Army Surplus stores, the Goodwill, yard sales and so on. Usually anyone selling military stuff would also have decorations and medals.
I also used to receive catalogs where I could order insignias which also had decorations and medals. They are not hard to get if you want to buy yourself a medal.
Regarding the medals awarded to officer's another story my B-i-L tells is one that occurred towards the end of his tour. He was asked to join in on a reception where an officer was being awarded a silver star for something that occurred at a fire fight that my B-i-L was at (he lost several of his buddies in that fight).
He did not recognize the officer and found out that the officer had been only moderately involved (flying a recon assignment overhead or something?). B-i-L got PO'd and worked his way up close to this officer and got in his face in a rather loud tone.
The officer turned every shade of crimson and walked away quickly, as others there grabbed B-i-L and escorted him out. He got an insincere reprimand for his comments and a pat on the back from his buddies for saying what was true.
Hooorah!
I'm nearing 70 faster that I want to acknowledge, shrunk down to 6'1", sadly bulked up to over 200 lbs, do at least 100 miles a week through the hills on my bike, and am certain I could STILL kick the ass off most of the dumbshits I see walking around the mall with their damned trousers falling off their skinny dumb asses..
Have often had the rude smart asses back down from a confrontation - with only a few direct and sharp comments spoken clearly and softly into their stunned stupid ass faces.
Hoorah....
What we lack in speed and strength, we make up for with our aggression, experience and deception.
Hang in there partner.
Semper Fi
This Marine salutes you, Sir! Well done.
A friend of mine bought a horn with a digitally recorded "Taps" that not many realize is a recording. After each ceremony he performs, 2 people or more will compliment his talent and offer kudos for his musical range. And being the pickelhead that he is, he thanks them for the compliment, but never tells them its a recording. Most don't care, but ultimately, he does it with dignity.
Semper Fi
Make that Silver Star with the "V".
:-)
http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=14743
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