Wow, there are some SERIOUS scumbags in Australia.

[Frizzle Fry]

Several of my family members have been awarded medals for their service in uniform. Being the only collector of militaria in the family (and only person who cares really) I've received most of the uniforms, weapons, gear, medals and other things left by my deceased relatives. Having been a service member only briefly, and reserve at that, I don't have any of my own.

Today, I was trying to find the vintage of my uncle Walters "Silver Star for Gallantry in Action" (he served in Vietnam and the Gulf) and came across this via Google search:

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/CASED-SET-US-...292110001r5852


For those who didn't read the whole advertisement (yes they advertised this fact, though I personally was aware) has always been illegal to wear "Walt" medals or "Mitties", essentially a medal for service that you didn't earn, but you could lie and say your received them. Since 2006 it has been illegal to do ANYTHING with a medal (yours, or otherwise) including selling, buying, trading, wearing, replicating, mailing, shipping, destroying or otherwise "messing around with" them. Really all you can do is inherit one.

I found this, logged in, and asked politely if they'd ship to the US. They said "yes" and that they ship a lot, but they don't advertise it because it's illegal. It's been reported

[Frizzle Fry]

I really hope our State Department gets involved. I checked on their statement about the "legality" and "genuine nature" of what they're selling, and the story is all full of holes. Now that the Obama administration considers Australia in its "top tier of allies" or whatever, maybe they'll put a stop to this BS. I'm surprised that a nanny government like AU would let this happen.

[Army]

Technically, the law reads you cannot profit in any way from the wearing of, and falsifying the awarding of, medals considered valorous. Otherwise, Hollywood and theatre groups could never perform any military themed production.

You can be a douchebag and wear lots of medals and lie about it, but as soon as you or your orginization makes any sort of financial or physical property gain....the boom gets lowered.

It is, however, illegal to wear an MOH for any reason if you have not been awarded the medal (movies and theatre excepted)

All US military medals and awards are made in America by law.

[Frizzle Fry]

It is, however, illegal to wear an MOH for any reason if you have not been awarded the medal (movies and theatre excepted)

In 2006 the law apparently was not only expanded in regulations, but also expanded to include other medals. I'm not 100% sure what that entails for the Silver Star, but I do know it's a similar restriction and punishment to what was originally offered up for those claiming an MOH that was not theres. Either way, these people disgust me. If they intended them for collectors, why leave them blank?

[CatoRockwell]

Why does a law like this exist? Once it is awarded it is private property. If someone wants to sell their great uncle's MOH to a collector what is wrong with that? He needs the money, the other one wants it as part of his collection.

I'm sorry if I'm missing something, but this seems like a pretty stupid law.

[xero28]

Why does a law like this exist? Once it is awarded it is private property. If someone wants to sell their great uncle's MOH to a collector what is wrong with that? He needs the money, the other one wants it as part of his collection.

I'm sorry if I'm missing something, but this seems like a pretty stupid law.

I'm not in the military, but I respect those who are. Unfortunately, there are people out there who impersonate decorated soldiers for personal gain. Yes, these medals can be collector's items and very valuable, but people who have never been in the military go around wearing these things looking for respect and many looking for freebies. They are preying on the patriotism of many Americans.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/video/fake-war-hero-ignites-anger-9776894

[CatoRockwell]

I'm not in the military, but I respect those who are. Unfortunately, there are people out there who impersonate decorated soldiers for personal gain. Yes, these medals can be collector's items and very valuable, but people who have never been in the military go around wearing these things looking for respect and many looking for freebies. They are preying on the patriotism of many Americans.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/video/fake-...-anger-9776894

So there needs to be a law? I mean if you give someone special treatment because of a medal, you take the chance that they are an impostor. Thats the way it is, people need to learn to use their best judgment.

I mean that is angering, but making a law doesn't fix anything it just adds one more piece of BS for a law abiding citizen who wants to form a collection to deal with.

Why is everyone's solution to a problem: There should be a law about this?

[Frizzle Fry]

http://www.amazon.com/Stolen-Valor-Vietnam-Generation-History/dp/096670360X

A good read (no I didn't write it and I'm not selling it).



Here are some other fakers, some more serious and others more obscene.

http://www.vawatchdog.org/09/nf09/nfdec09/nf122409-1.htm

http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/10/12/fake.veteran/index.html

http://blog.employeescreen.com/2008/12/11/vietnam-veteran-charged-with-violation-of-the-stolen-valor-act-of-2005/

http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=63172

How many bums on the street do you see panhandling with signs that say they served overseas? How many of them are too young for the first Gulf War but clearly didn't serve in the second? How many people, forget the famous ones, try to capitalize on the actions of others? Servicemen and women are serving our country and protecting our way of life. If they're awarded for their valor, they're not being awarded for anything self-serving like the writing of a song or directing of a movie. These people are being awarded for risking their life to preserve the lives of people back home.

Many of my grandfathers squadron-mates (5 AF) have been had by these jokers... Elderly WWII vets are, unfortunately, reaching the end of their lives. Those who survive still are watching their former comrades (those who survived) die of old age and feel increasingly isolated. Many are of an age where they do not have full mental facilities, and are ripe targets for younger "wannabe" vets who take advantage financially.

These guys don't just hog attention; they eat up VA funds, gain support (financial and otherwise) by what essentially amounts to grifting, and generally cause trouble.

I personally think these guys are just as low as fake Katrina victims and fake 9/11 victims, if not more so.

[xero28]

So there needs to be a law? I mean if you give someone special treatment because of a medal, you take the chance that they are an impostor. Thats the way it is, people need to learn to use their best judgment.

I mean that is angering, but making a law doesn't fix anything it just adds one more piece of BS for a law abiding citizen who wants to form a collection to deal with.

Why is everyone's solution to a problem: There should be a law about this?

I agree, but I'm just playing devil's advocate here. Taking it to more of an extreme level, that's also why there are laws that you can't dress up as a law enforcement officers.

I think it also goes to security issues at places like military bases and other secure locations. Someone dresses up like a 5 star general (or whatever) and someone who doesn't know better and is intimidated by them allows them access to places they shouldn't be.

[Ando]

So there needs to be a law? I mean if you give someone special treatment because of a medal, you take the chance that they are an impostor. Thats the way it is, people need to learn to use their best judgment.

I mean that is angering, but making a law doesn't fix anything it just adds one more piece of BS for a law abiding citizen who wants to form a collection to deal with.

Why is everyone's solution to a problem: There should be a law about this?

WTH!!!

You do not question someone wearing a Bronze Star, Distinguished Service Cross...especially a Medal of F'en Valor (aka honor)...You buy that person his drinks for the night, talk war stories till closing (if in a VFW...we call them "War Lies" ) and kiss his *** to no end. To question someone with any of the top 10 medals is like slapping them in the face. 99% of the time, they went through hell and back to get it and usually come out missing something (fingers, limbs, sight or mind).

If you had been in the military, you wouldn't be asking a question like that and would know why we need laws such as this one on the books. Without laws like these, you might as well spit on ever person who received them. Point and case the A-Hole in the link Xero posted.

[CatoRockwell]

WTH!!!

You do not question someone wearing a Bronze Star, Distinguished Service Cross...especially a Medal of F'en Valor (aka honor)...You buy that person his drinks for the night, talk war stories till closing (if in a VFW...we call them "War Lies" ) and kiss his *** to no end. To question someone with any of the top 10 medals is like slapping them in the face. 99% of the time, they went through hell and back to get it and usually come out missing something (fingers, limbs, sight or mind).

If you had been in the military, you wouldn't be asking a question like that and would know why we need laws such as this one on the books. Without laws like these, you might as well spit on ever person who received them. Point and case the A-Hole in the link Xero posted.

Well i wont stoop to calling you names, i agree its disrespectful but any idiot stupid enough to allow someone into a secure location just because they have a medal deserves what they get. I agree there should be laws to prevent impersonation of government officials. But as far as i can tell you dont get into secure facilities just because you earned a MOH.

If you think i have any disrespect for our men in uniform you are sorely mistaken. Stating that an individual who has not been allowed the opportunity to serve doesnt have a valid point just because they arent a soldier is a load. I am a citizen that is all that should matter.

I am not disagreeing with you that vets should be held in high esteem, i am disagreeing with a law regarding the purchase of memorobilia. This is supposed to be a free country and if someone wants to start a collection they have the right to purchase whatsoever they choose. Sure there are impostors, but unless someone is attempting to act with the item in an a way that poses a danger to the public or government security, then they arent doing anything that would require a law. Sure they are scum for misleading people with unearned respect, but walki g around wearing a medal does not pose a violation to our liberty.

[Ando]

Well i wont stoop to calling you names, i agree its disrespectful but any idiot stupid enough to allow someone into a secure location just because they have a medal deserves what they get. I agree there should be laws to prevent impersonation of government officials. But as far as i can tell you dont get into secure facilities just because you earned a MOH.

If you think i have any disrespect for our men in uniform you are sorely mistaken. Stating that an individual who has not been allowed the opportunity to serve doesnt have a valid point just because they arent a soldier is a load. I am a citizen that is all that should matter.

I am not disagreeing with you that vets should be held in high esteem, i am disagreeing with a law regarding the purchase of memorobilia. This is supposed to be a free country and if someone wants to start a collection they have the right to purchase whatsoever they choose. Sure there are impostors, but unless someone is attempting to act with the item in an a way that poses a danger to the public or government security, then they arent doing anything that would require a law. Sure they are scum for misleading people with unearned respect, but walki g around wearing a medal does not pose a violation to our liberty.

ROFL...It takes more then a wave of a medal to get into a gov facility and I'll stoop to calling you name cause your an idiot for thinking that and for calling the Medal of Honor "memorabilia". It's not something you pick up at the duty free zone after coming back from some crap hole war torn country. I been in 3 conflicts myself and I tell you what. When I hear people talk about something they have no clue about, it gets my goat to no end. This conversation is way way way over your head.

[CatoRockwell]

ROFL...It take more then a wave of a medal to get into a gov facility and I'll stoop to calling you name cause your an idiot for thinking that and for calling the Medal of Honor "memorabilia". It's not something you pick up at the duty free zone after coming back from some crap hole war torn country. I been in 3 conflicts myself and I tell you what. When I hear people talk about something they have no clue about, it gets my goat to no end. This conversation is way way way over your head.

Sad dude. I am not disagreeing that it is disrespectful, but list one constitutional reason there should be a federal mandate against purchasing medals. If you think it is so wrong, maybe you should be mad at the individual who was willing to sell it in the first place.

Calling me an idiot doesnt make your argument any more valid. I'm sorry that my beliefs on the purpose of Law get you so fired up, but i dont see how someone purchasing a medal violates anyones freedoms. A more logical conclusion would be to create a contract so that those receiving the medal cannot sell them. Rather than punishing the consumer who may have no dishonorable intent, the military should seek to enforce said contract with the awardee.

Writing up such a contract requires no additional laws and therefore doesnt violate any freedoms since both parties signed it willingly.

I appreciate your service and wish that i was allowed the same opportunity, but i was medically disqualified. I intend no disrespect to our servicemen, but only seek to prevent the violation of American freedom.

Hopefully you can see this, i dont think you are an idiot, i respect many of the posts youve made here. I am simply seeking to point out the dangers of the federal gov. overstepping their bounds and that there is a solution that requires no such law.

[SCpoloRicker]

There are several websites chronicling these yahoos. There have been some pretty serious call-outs of folks.

[pillage]

Openly wearing something that was not awarded to you, is a sure sign of being a scumbag. The law against doing it, was meant to prevent someone claiming honors which they had not earned. By falsely claiming honors to which one was not entitled, cheapens those same honors to those that got them the hard way.