Is it still considered stolen valor if the person doesn't gain anything from it?

2020-06-13T23:47:09-04:00

Hey everyone, so I’m not entirely sure how to word this. I’m hoping this makes sense. I don’t give a shit about stolen valor. It doesn’t bother me in the slightest. Atleast that’s till I met a guy we will call John. John is a guy I connected well with when I landed my first job as a Veteran. He claimed to be a combat veteran and really helped me through some hard bumps when I first transitioned. Fast forward about 6 months and we are getting ready to go out and we pregame at his house. He has a shadow box on the wall with CIB and 3/75 ranger scroll as well as some cool guy badges. I noticed it and asked one of my batt boys if he has ever heard the name. He comes back about a week later and says there’s no sign of this guy ever being in the unit. I normally wouldn’t care but this guy helped me a lot and it feels like I got stabbed in the back. Now my question is, is it still considered stolen valor if they aren’t gaining anything from it?

The Stolen Valor Act of 2013 amends the federal criminal code to rewrite provisions relating to fraudulent claims about military service to subject to a fine, imprisonment for not more than one year, or both for an individual who, with intent to obtain money, property, or other tangible benefit, fraudulently holds himself or herself out to be a recipient of:

Medal of Honor
Distinguished Service Cross,
Navy Cross,
Air Force Cross,
Silver Star,
Bronze Star,
Purple Heart,
Combat Action Ribbon,
Combat Infantryman's Badge,
Combat Action Badge,
Combat Medical Badge,
Combat Action Medal, or
any replacement or duplicate medal for such medal as authorized by law.

I’m not planning on calling the cops or anything. I don’t think it’s that serious. I guess this is more so a curiosity question.

Now where are my barracks lawyers at?!

Response by TSgt David L. made Jun 13 at 2020 11:52 PM

2020-06-13T23:52:32-04:00

That's shitty if he is blowing smoke up your ass. Short of looking at a DD-214 its hard to say. Medal of Honor is easy to check. Here's a link for you. Anything else is tough to prove.
https://themedalofhonor.com/medal-of-honor-recipients/

Medal of Honor Recipients | Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation

The Medal of Honor has several free character education programs to teach students important concepts resembled by the Medal of Honor. Explore all the programs on our website.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Jun 14 at 2020 12:00 AM

2020-06-14T00:00:57-04:00

My $0.02...
You say he helped you through some rough times. You really connected. Would you have accepted his help if you had not thought he was a veteran? Even if he is a poseur, did his posing actually HELP you?

So, there is a good chance he is blowing smoke. So what? If he is actually helping more than hurting, charlie mike. Also remember, he may be telling the truth and you friend in the Batt may be wrong. Is it worth destroying a friendship by confronting him?

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Jun 14 at 2020 12:14 AM

2020-06-14T00:14:47-04:00

Some things really don’t matter? If he helped you, be appreciative, say thank you, and cut sling.

It must be important to him, if he is so confused as to lump the CMH with awards from all of the other services, he is confused, but has an inkling of military awards.

SGT Private RallyPoint Member Tough decisions, abound in life. Just so your mentor is not flashing those awards in public,let him smoke his dope!

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Jun 14 at 2020 12:25 AM

2020-06-14T00:25:42-04:00

Like you already mentioned Stolen Valor is limited to specific items within the stolen valor act. Claiming valor medals is one. Other claims of serving that can be connected to financial gain is another flag.

The longer this person has been spinning this web the more people you will have that push back out of reflex.

I’ve had to put a few people on blast over the years over false service claims. It’s an ugly business

Response by SGT Robert Pryor made Jun 14 at 2020 12:28 AM

2020-06-14T00:28:58-04:00

There are two sides to the Stolen Valor issue. One is criminal, of course. The other is how acts of falsely claiming any status steals from those who achieved that award or accomplishment. By fraudulently inflating the number of people to earn an award or status (such as Army Ranger in the case) makes it seem common, when it is not. I read that in a past census, nine million Americans claimed to be Viet Nam veterans -- out of the two and a half million that actually served. I hope all wannabes, not matter how minor their claim, crap the bed and roll over in it.

Response by Capt Gregory Prickett made Jun 14 at 2020 2:19 AM

2020-06-14T02:19:57-04:00

If he's only got a shadow box with a ranger scroll and a CIB, and he doesn't talk about it, he hasn't committed an offense under the Stolen Valor Act. If you really have to know, you can send off for his records. But is it worth it? The guy helped you out, he doesn't seem to be hurting anyone, and he could very well have been a member of 3rd Battalion. I would let it go unless you have something further to go on.

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Jun 14 at 2020 11:32 AM

2020-06-14T11:32:05-04:00

As per the Stolen Valor law, after it was amended, it is only breaking the law if you make some type of monitory gain.

Response by CSM Michael Chavaree made Jun 14 at 2020 2:32 PM

2020-06-14T14:32:52-04:00

Its a small world, I was at 3/75 for a long time, not hard to know everyone.

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 15 at 2020 9:41 PM

2020-06-15T21:41:04-04:00

Lawfully, it's only stolen valor if the person uses it to gain an advantage that they otherwise would not be eligible for (a job, a discount, etc). The Supreme Court ruled that it's all "freedom of speech." So they can only be prosecuted for gaining from it (or depriving someone else through it). Morally, though... they ain't yours, don't wear 'em! Are you certain he didn't earn these? You said you asked around, but you didn't mention that you confronted him. It's worthy of an ask, before you lose your cool.

Response by SSG Kenneth Ponder made Jul 15 at 2020 12:59 PM

2020-07-15T12:59:03-04:00

Pay 'em no f__king attention and get on with your life!