The E-Sylum:  Volume 9, Number 19, May 7, 2006, Article 19

LEGISLATION TO PUNISH FRAUDULENT MEDAL OF HONOR CLAIMS

Arthur Shippee noted the following Associated Press story from
Monday's New York Times regarding stepped-up efforts to protect
the integrity of the Medal of Honor and other U.S. military medals.

"A proliferation of people who falsely claim to have won military
medals is prompting calls for tougher laws to punish the impostors.

The Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation reports that there are
113 living recipients of the award, the nation's highest military
honor, but an F.B.I. agent who tracks the fakes says impostors
outnumber the real winners."

"Anyone convicted of fraudulently wearing the Medal of Honor could
face up to a year in prison and a $100,000 fine. But there is no
similar penalty for wearing other medals.

The Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation and other veterans
groups are looking to change that, enlisting the help of Representative
John Salazar, Democrat of Colorado. Mr. Salazar is sponsoring legislation
that would penalize distributors of phony medals and those who pretend
to be decorated veterans."

"Mr. Cottone said he recovered two fake Medals of Honor at a New Jersey
gun show. Both were made by HLI Lordship Industries, a former government
contractor for the medal.

The company, based in Hauppauge, N.Y., was fined $80,000 in 1996 and
placed on probation after admitting that 300 fakes were sold in the
early 1990's for $75 each."

To read the complete story, see: Full Story

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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