Medal of Honor Fakers Are Proliferating - The Orange Mane

Bronx33 · 05-02-2006, 12:46 AM

And another reason people suck, just wow.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=1907188

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. Apr 30, 2006 (AP)— A proliferation of phony heroes is prompting such groups as The Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation to lobby for tougher laws to punish the impostors.

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.

The Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation and other veterans groups are looking to change that. They've enlisted the help of U.S. Rep. John T. Salazar, D-Colo., who is sponsoring the Stolen Valor Act to penalize distributors of phony medals and those who pretend to be decorated veterans.

Salazar's legislation would make it illegal to make a false public claim to be a recipient of any military valor award, such as the Medal of Honor, a Silver Star or Purple Heart.

"It is about more than punishing people," said Salazar. "It's about preserving the history and honor of those medals."

World War II Medal of Honor recipient Charles Coolidge of Signal Mountain, Tenn., got flimflammed out of his medal at a military reunion of all places when someone offered to help recondition it and gave him back a fake version of the award.

Cottone tracked down Coolidge's real Medal of Honor from a man who was selling and trading medals in Ohio.

"It was a big surprise to me to get it back," said Coolidge, 84.

Coolidge received the Medal of Honor for leading an outnumbered section of heavy machine guns during four days of fighting against German infantry and tanks in France in 1944.

TexanBob · 05-02-2006, 02:19 AM

Whatever gets you laid. Imagine all the guys out there who tell women "Yeah, I used to play for the Denver Broncos..."

24champ · 05-02-2006, 02:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TexanBob

Whatever gets you laid. Imagine all the guys out there who tell women "Yeah, I used to play for the Denver Broncos..."

I think recently someone tried to impersonate Ben Roethesburger and didnt even come close to looking like Ben.

Garcia Bronco · 05-02-2006, 06:33 AM

No offense to the real heros...but I can't believe we're wasting resources on something like this. If you earned that award, then earning it and living to see another day is all the satisfaction you'll ever really have.

-Slap- · 05-02-2006, 06:41 AM

Ever been in a bar? Its literally amazing how many guys are former college football players. Also, a lot of former Navy SEALs have really big guts. That's always surprising to me.

Willynowei · 05-02-2006, 06:54 AM

this is disturbing.

61Vikefan · 05-02-2006, 08:12 AM

My Dad is 84 years old-he is a veterin of the 3rd Marine Division. He was in at the Phillipines, Iwo Jima & Guadacanal. He was also in the very first occupation force of the main Japanese islands after the surrender. He's got 2 purple hearts and I know he has other medals (can't remember what they are) but I can't imagine anything that would upset him more than a fake hero from that war.

Dukes · 05-02-2006, 08:31 AM

This really donsn't suprise me at all. Actually I hear a lot of this kinda talk, even from guys who are still in service. The cool thing for Marines to say is "I'm recon", when actually they are a pencil pusher. It's a shame that people have to lie in order for someone to like them , or to lie to make themselves feel better. It's a sad, sad little world we live in.

05-02-2006, 12:46 AM	#1
Bronx33 lets go partner Rumpson Rocks Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Lakewood,Colo Posts: 41,221 Adopt-a-Bronco: Woodyard	Medal of Honor Fakers Are Proliferating And another reason people suck, just wow. http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=1907188 CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. Apr 30, 2006 (AP)— A proliferation of phony heroes is prompting such groups as The Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation to lobby for tougher laws to punish the impostors. 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. The Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation and other veterans groups are looking to change that. They've enlisted the help of U.S. Rep. John T. Salazar, D-Colo., who is sponsoring the Stolen Valor Act to penalize distributors of phony medals and those who pretend to be decorated veterans. Salazar's legislation would make it illegal to make a false public claim to be a recipient of any military valor award, such as the Medal of Honor, a Silver Star or Purple Heart. "It is about more than punishing people," said Salazar. "It's about preserving the history and honor of those medals." World War II Medal of Honor recipient Charles Coolidge of Signal Mountain, Tenn., got flimflammed out of his medal at a military reunion of all places when someone offered to help recondition it and gave him back a fake version of the award. Cottone tracked down Coolidge's real Medal of Honor from a man who was selling and trading medals in Ohio. "It was a big surprise to me to get it back," said Coolidge, 84. Coolidge received the Medal of Honor for leading an outnumbered section of heavy machine guns during four days of fighting against German infantry and tanks in France in 1944.

05-02-2006, 08:12 AM	#7
61Vikefan Solid Starter Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 150	My Dad is 84 years old-he is a veterin of the 3rd Marine Division. He was in at the Phillipines, Iwo Jima & Guadacanal. He was also in the very first occupation force of the main Japanese islands after the surrender. He's got 2 purple hearts and I know he has other medals (can't remember what they are) but I can't imagine anything that would upset him more than a fake hero from that war. Last edited by 61Vikefan; 05-02-2006 at 08:21 AM..

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05-02-2006, 02:19 AM	#2
TexanBob Don't Argue With Me You Know I'm Right Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 5,023 Adopt-a-Bronco: Darris Nash	Whatever gets you laid. Imagine all the guys out there who tell women "Yeah, I used to play for the Denver Broncos..."

05-02-2006, 06:33 AM	#4
Garcia Bronco Hokie since 1993 Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 45,987 Adopt-a-Bronco: Tom Jackson	No offense to the real heros...but I can't believe we're wasting resources on something like this. If you earned that award, then earning it and living to see another day is all the satisfaction you'll ever really have.

05-02-2006, 06:41 AM	#5
-Slap- Ring of Famer Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 31,895	Ever been in a bar? Its literally amazing how many guys are former college football players. Also, a lot of former Navy SEALs have really big guts. That's always surprising to me.

05-02-2006, 06:54 AM	#6
Willynowei Some dude Football is a wonderful thing. Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: NJ Posts: 2,798 Adopt-a-Bronco: Eddie Royal	this is disturbing.

05-02-2006, 08:31 AM	#8
Dukes Ring of Famer Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 6,317	This really donsn't suprise me at all. Actually I hear a lot of this kinda talk, even from guys who are still in service. The cool thing for Marines to say is "I'm recon", when actually they are a pencil pusher. It's a shame that people have to lie in order for someone to like them , or to lie to make themselves feel better. It's a sad, sad little world we live in.