Posted on 04/03/2008 9:35:22 AM PDT by DCBryan1
I have an co-worker who is older, and completely full of crap. His birthday is May 02, 1937, making him 14-17 at the time of the Korean War.
He has told stories that are unbelievable to clients who, if they find out, could hurt our business. My boss approached me since I am military and asked me to find out how I can get documentation that we can print up in the coffee room to "out him" as a "stolen valor" type of guy.
The latest news is that he won the Navy Cross in 1952 (when he was 15-16) when flying missions over Korea.
My questions are:
Isn't there a "stolen valor" law? And does it only pertain to wearing the uniform, or does it encompass verbal attestations?
Is there an unclassified way to look up someones war records or a datatbase with Navy Cross recipients as there is with the CMOH?
How would you handle the situation? (My first reaction, as a veteran, is an ass stomping of an old man, but I think humility and shunning would be much more appropriate IMHO).
My boss, myself, and co-workers are simply sick of his BS and would like to enlist your sources on the subject.
Good thing you guys didn’t set him up to work on a live line eh?!
I think the actual crimes are: (1) wearing honors one did not earn (except in plays/movies) and (2) applying for VA benefits.
Being a blow-hard is not actionable. (I think.)
If he’s lying, I hope you nail him.....
bump
..and if he is telling the truth, buy him a case of beer.
:->
When released from active duty, you're given your form DD-214 and told to guard it with your life. Ask to see it.
I agree. He’s nearly seventy-one. He’s probably just demented.
In any case, I’d say that siccing the FBI on him would be a waste of time and money.
Our idiot liar had given him 14-gauge wire and a 15-amp single pole breaker when he actually needed 6-gauge wire and a 50-amp double pole breaker. If something had gone wrong and that customer's house had burned down or he was electrocuted, that would have been our fault because we didn't check his certification before turning him loose. And I'm pretty sure I speak for all of the other managers when I say that we really don't want a death on our consciouses.
I’d sic them on him anyway, but I’m just mean like that.
http://dailynightly.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/08/17/320639.aspx
this article says the youngest recipient of the MOH was 17 at the time
Years ago in another life, we had a guy like (my boss) that who, according to his tall tales, made rambo look like a sissy. We outed him by asking detailed questions that eventually exposed him for a fraud. His mouth was writing checks his knowledge and experience couldn’t cash, it became apparent to all involved (we brought in some third parties to listen to his crap and feed his ego in fake hero worship), he eventually neutered himself and got fired.
I wouldn't normally play devil's advocate for a valor thief, but the guy is 71 years old. I deal with a lot of elderly folks every day, and I have learned to take nearly everything I hear with a grain of salt. Even if I know that someone of advanced age is lying through their teeth about something, I would never humiliate them. That's unnecessarily harsh. Your primary concern appears to be business related, so find out what you can and deal with the man in a professional manner. Then pray to God that all of your marbles are spherical and intact when you're 71 years old.
Flame away!
“and if he is telling the truth, buy him a case of beer.”
Yeap...and an apology for doubting his word.
.
You think wrong.
(b) False Claims About Receipt of Military Decorations or 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, any of the service medals or badges awarded to the members of such forces, the ribbon, button, or rosette of any such badge, decoration, or medal, or any colorable imitation of such item shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than six months, or both.'; and
snippet......
(d) Enhanced Penalty for Offenses Involving Certain Other Medals- If a decoration or medal involved in an offense described in subsection (a) or (b) is a distinguished-service cross awarded under section 3742 of title 10, a Navy cross awarded under section 6242 of title 10, an Air Force cross awarded under section 8742 of section 10, a silver star awarded under section 3746, 6244, or 8746 of title 10, a Purple Heart awarded under section 1129 of title 10, or any replacement or duplicate medal for such medal as authorized by law, in lieu of the punishment provided in the applicable subsection, the offender shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 1 year, or both.'.
Well, you don’t know me personally, but I have several copies of my last DD-214. There are a LOT of servicemen who remember the “keep every scrap of official paper” rule regarding the military.
Bookmark
For yourself or someone else?
I have mine, for example.
Yeah, I know that.
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