Do you think being able to purchase medals online increases the likelihood of Stolen Valor?

2015-07-13T14:02:49-04:00

Well! Now if a person wants to imitate being in the Military, they can, and unless they use it to get monetary gain, it's not illegal.

Nearly every single award that American soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines fight, bleed and sometimes die to receive can be bought by everyone else on the Internet — even from the same company that makes them for the U.S. military.
With the lone exception of the Congressional Medal of Honor, it’s all perfectly legal.

It’s even legal to wear them now, unless the person is using his fraudulent medals to gain something of value.

Yet to many, it is a deadly serious matter.

George Washington’s general order of Aug. 7, 1782, established the first American military awards. Ever since, U.S. service members, veterans and many civilians have reviled those who wear them fraudulently and sadly expected it to happen.

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

The job of punishing those who fraudulently wear military awards became much more complicated when the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the Stolen Valor Act of 2005, citing free-speech concerns.
Under the 2005 act, it was illegal to wear an unearned medal of valor at all.

Bronze Star -- $22.00 Northwest Territorial Mint. It provides about 40 % of the U.S. military's medals, according to Ross Hansen, Mint Master (director of the mint). https://store.nwtmint.com/Military_Awards/ The hierarchy of U.S. Army awards for valor in combat is as follows: 1. Medal of Honor 2. Distinguished Service Cross 3. Silver Star 4. Bronze Star with "V" device

http://jacksonville.com/military/2015-07-11/story/no-need-steal-medals-military-valor-you-can-buy-them

Buy Military Awards, Medals, and Ribbons

In recognition of the exceptional courage and service of America’s men and women in uniform, Northwest Territorial Mint offers the highest quality medals and ribbons on the market, made right here in the United States. We are certified by The Institute of Heraldry as the primary manufacturer of military insignia and decorations, meeting or exceeding the standards of The Institute of Heraldry and the U.S. Government. Your service and...

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Jul 13 at 2015 2:07 PM

2015-07-13T14:07:17-04:00

Well I hope the Congressional Medal of Honor can not be bought without orders SGT Private RallyPoint Member. Same for the Distinguished Service Cross.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 13 at 2015 2:09 PM

2015-07-13T14:09:04-04:00

Hey! It's free enterprise. What can you do? You can still approach someone wearing medals and ask questions. One dead giveaway is most of these medal mongers have them in the wrong place on their fake uniform. Some even have medals on from several branches of the military. Remember, don't touch, just harass.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 13 at 2015 2:15 PM

2015-07-13T14:15:22-04:00

Just go to Gun Show...medals and ribbons galore!!! Really sad to see and realize that those specific items were once presented to members of our military forces.

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Jul 13 at 2015 2:23 PM

2015-07-13T14:23:16-04:00

SGT Private RallyPoint Member Most of us that have earned the medals have put them in a shadow box on the wall or they are buried in a desk along with other "love me” paraphernalia or they’re on my uniforms that are hanging in the closet that I will never wear again (or) maybe I'll pull it out for a military ball someday (if I get invited), and they will be handed down to my daughters when I'm cremated & my ashes are laid to rest in a National Cemetery. They are in my official records jacket that I took home with me when I retired and their listed on my last Biographical Profile when I was a Colonel, other than that I will never wear them on anything else that you aren't allowed to wear them on (no where) from my standpoint. Those are the military veterans or individuals that will never steal medals of military valor - because they are humble and they don't have to show off what they’ve earned. That's how I will know the difference and unfortunately there is nothing we can do based on law to stop those who will continue to do it. Again, just my humble opinion!

Response by A1C Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 22 at 2016 9:47 PM

2016-02-22T21:47:43-05:00

As these places sell to Veterans so they can make shadow boxes etc. you will get those that use them for Stolen Valor, but the funny thing most of them don't know how to present them on a uniform and the real stupid ones buy from different branches because the ribbon is pretty.

Response by SGT Bryon Sergent made Feb 23 at 2016 9:26 AM

2016-02-23T09:26:54-05:00

YES.

Response by CPT Jim Schwebach made Jun 22 at 2016 1:52 PM

2016-06-22T13:52:13-04:00

Preventing the sale of military medals and other insignia in order to prevent stolen valor is akin to destroying the interstate highway system to prevent folks from driving north in the southbound lane.

Response by CAPT Charles Weishar made Jun 24 at 2016 2:49 PM

2016-06-24T14:49:58-04:00

Yet it is the award certificate on the wall that tells the story. No chance of forging that. Furthermore, several of my medals have my name engraved on the reverse side, for example my Defense Superior Service medal.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 25 at 2016 10:14 AM

2016-06-25T10:14:21-04:00

NO, but it might make it easier.

Response by PFC Matt Duncan made Jun 26 at 2016 8:04 PM

2016-06-26T20:04:33-04:00

Lots of folks talking about some kind of ban on selling medals... I'm glad they are available, since my ex-wife lost my wrench-wings and I needed to order a new medal to wear on class-a's for an ROTC dance at college after I was ETS'd.

As Americans, we don't limit Free Enterprise. Period. But also as Americans and proud veterans, we BLISTER with embarrassment any jackass who crosses that line. Count on that!

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 27 at 2016 1:22 AM

2016-06-27T01:22:23-04:00

Yes