Robert F. Dorr: It’s time to pass Stolen Valor Act — and honor the real heroes - Army Community - Army Discussions - Army Times

Robert F. Dorr: It’s time to pass Stolen Valor Act — and honor the real heroes

It looks like the outgoing Congress will adjourn without passing the Stolen Valor Act, a bill to stiffen penalties for imposters who pretend to be military heroes.

Phony war heroes are everywhere. Claiming to have received awards they never were given for acts of valor they never performed, they’re posturing at community meetings, church groups and public events. Often, these fraudulent “heroes” are paid for giving speeches. They benefit themselves by gaining undeserved publicity and citing phony awards on resumés and employment applications.

Among recent fakers:

å An Illinois judge displayed two Medals of Honor in his office, causing others to venerate him as a combat hero.

å A Missouri man gave speeches to veterans claiming he had been awarded the Navy Cross, the second-highest award for valor.

å A Nevada man posed as a retired Air Force colonel and recipient of the Air Force Cross and gave numerous talks to schoolchildren.

All were fakes — discovered, eventually, after fooling friends, colleagues and the public.

None has been punished. Under current law, it’s illegal to wear a decoration you haven’t earned. But there’s no law against claiming to have received an award you didn’t actually get.

It’s against the law to manufacture, wear, buy, sell or trade the Medal of Honor. But other medals are routinely bought and sold — legally.

In conversations with active-duty troops and veterans, I found almost universal outrage that there’s no law to punish someone falsely claiming to have received an award for valor.

“This takes something away from everybody who served,” said former Army 1st Lt. Andrew F. Antippas, who was an infantryman during the Korean War.

The Stolen Valor Act would make untrue claims punishable by a fine and a jail term of six to 12 months.

In my unscientific poll of several dozen veterans, only one wondered if the bill amounts to “too much government.”

What shouldn’t be in the legislation is a ban on buying and selling all decorations. Thousands of Americans collect, trade, buy and sell medals and should be allowed to continue. A veteran’s family should be able to sell his awards if they choose. Experts who’ve studied the Stolen Valor Act say the bill’s language needs to be tweaked to avoid any misunderstanding on this point.

“This is a national epidemic,” said former Sgt. C. Douglas Sterner, who maintains a Web site about military valor, www.homeofheros.com. “If Congress doesn’t pass this, you might as well forget about integrity of military awards and say people can do anything they want.”

According to Sterner, when Gen. George Washington created the Badge for Military Merit in 1782 that became today’s Purple Heart, he issued this order:

“Should any who are not entitled to these honors have the insolence to assume the badges of them, they shall be severely punished.”

Lawmakers should pass the Stolen Valor Act — minus any penalties against legitimate collectors — so Gen. Washington’s call for punishment will finally be heeded.

Robert F. Dorr, an Air Force veteran, lives in Oakton, Va. He is the author of several books, including “Air Combat,” a history of fighter pilots. His e-mail address is robert.f.dorr@cox.net.