Stolen Valor: How do we punish the phony "Hero"?

SFC Russell Campbell — Sun, 22 Mar 2015 05:18:03 -0400

The guy in the picture says it all. WTF?????

Since the "Supreme Court" shot down the Stolen Valor Act, is there any real recourse to punish the sleazebag through our judicial system? I find it strange that you can go to jail for impersonating a police officer, soldier, or government official, but you don't get squat if you are a "PX Hero" sleazebag. Below is an except from Wikipedia--
United States v. Alvarez, 567 U.S. ___ (2012), was a United States Supreme Court case in which the Court struck down the Stolen Valor Act, a federal law that criminalized false statements about having a military medal. The law had been passed as an effort to stem instances where people falsely claimed to have won the medal in an attempt to protect the "valor" of those who really had. While a 6-3 majority of the Supreme Court agreed that the law was unconstitutional under the First Amendment's free speech protections, it could not agree on a single rationale. Four justices concluded that a statement's falsity is not enough, by itself, to exclude speech from First Amendment protection. Another two justices concluded that while false statements were entitled to some protection, the Stolen Valor Act was invalid because it could have achieved its objectives in less restrictive ways.

Reaction from the political community and from veteran organizations were negative. Several months after the decision, both chambers of Congress passed new versions of the Stolen Valor Act based on the suggestions in the Court's opinion. Despite the Supreme Court having struck down the conviction under the Act, Alvarez remained in prison for fraud on other matters.--- You notice he didn't get squat for the phony awards.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 22 at 2015 5:48 AM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 22 Mar 2015 05:48:40 -0400

Unfortunately we're treading a fine line between violation of the 'Stolen Valor' and 1st Amendment. As long as this idiot doesn't get ANY monetary profits from wearing this mess (including free drinks), there's nothing we can really do.

Impersonating a police officer would violate a public trust issue of him acting in a role of 'emergency responder', so it would definitely be a no-no.

I feel your pain. Other than 'street justice' this wacko by publicly insulting him, recording and uploading a photo of him, there's not much more we can do here, sorry :-(

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Mar 22 at 2015 10:13 AM

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Sun, 22 Mar 2015 10:13:33 -0400

I understand this might be considered a freedom of speech however, I believe we have fought for and have truly earned the same freedom of speech.....we can use that freedom of speech to call out these non-hacker wanna-be's that are imposters.

There was a bill passed in 2013:

http://www.military.com/daily-news/2013/06/03/obama-signs-new-stolen-valor-act.html

Obama Signs New Stolen Valor Act

President Obama on Monday signed into law the latest version of the Stolen Valor Act.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 22 at 2015 2:31 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 22 Mar 2015 14:31:51 -0400

This guy is my hero. Look at all that shiny stuff on that uniform. I gotta hit the clothing and sales to get me some more bling soon, so I can look more bad ass.

Response by SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA made Mar 22 at 2015 2:50 PM

SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA — Sun, 22 Mar 2015 14:50:18 -0400

SFC Russell Campbell, the gentleman you picture is LTC Bo Gritz, and he is not a poser; nor is this likely a case of stolen valor, at least not in the conventional sense. It's difficult to see all of his medals, but I am sure that he was awarded each and every one of them, even though he displays them so sloppily.

The awarding of the various medals was, however, most unusual, with LTC Gritz actively following the progress of each recommendation, and perhaps suggesting or even writing the recommendations himself. You can read about it here: http://www.miafacts.org/gritz.htm

I'm attaching a photo of him in a neater presentation of his uniform.

His wikipedia article is here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bo_Gritz

Response by SPC Donald Tribble made Mar 29 at 2015 1:10 AM

SPC Donald Tribble — Sun, 29 Mar 2015 01:10:24 -0400

In Basic Training we use to throw blanket parties...but I'm assuming that would be offensive to someone out there...

Response by CPT Chris Loomis made Mar 29 at 2015 1:11 AM

CPT Chris Loomis — Sun, 29 Mar 2015 01:11:08 -0400

Holy Mole!! How does that douche bag even walk upright with all that metal misplaced on his chest!!!!

Response by COL Charles Williams made Mar 29 at 2015 3:40 AM

COL Charles Williams — Sun, 29 Mar 2015 03:40:09 -0400

He looks legit

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made Apr 2 at 2015 9:41 AM

SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 09:41:33 -0400

1) Give him directions to VFW Post 7400, or
2) Tap him on the back .. he will fall over and crush his face.

Response by SrA Marshall Dotson made Apr 2 at 2015 1:06 PM

SrA Marshall Dotson — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 13:06:56 -0400

Hung ...Period ....idiots wth

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 2 at 2015 1:47 PM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 13:47:37 -0400

I knew about Bo Gritz before today but had never bothered to read up on him...wow. There is something to be said for not tooting your own horn.

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Apr 2 at 2015 1:52 PM

SCPO David Lockwood — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 13:52:06 -0400

I've got nothing!

Response by SFC Collin McMillion made Apr 2 at 2015 2:24 PM

SFC Collin McMillion — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 14:24:51 -0400

I can suggest several actions that could be taken,but since everyone else is using amendments, I think I will take the 5th.

Response by PO1 Cleve Ikaika Waiwaiole made Apr 2 at 2015 6:56 PM

PO1 Cleve Ikaika Waiwaiole — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 18:56:04 -0400

Looks like 3yr olds decorating a christmas tree. Looks like he was hit by a horse-shit grenade.

Response by SSG Gerhard S. made Apr 2 at 2015 11:24 PM

SSG Gerhard S. — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 23:24:42 -0400

I think you will find that the man in this photo is LTC Bo Gritz, and IS one of the most decorated Soldiers in American History. Here's a bio page.
http://www.bogritz.com/biography.htm

Response by SSG Gerhard S. made Apr 2 at 2015 11:27 PM

SSG Gerhard S. — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 23:27:25 -0400

This man, though, is not a poser.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 2 at 2015 11:28 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 23:28:56 -0400

It just doesnt look right. It is a mess. I hate to second guess someone but Good Lord. Can he and the Army produce the documentation?

Response by SGT Michael Touchet made Apr 25 at 2015 1:06 PM

SGT Michael Touchet — Sat, 25 Apr 2015 13:06:14 -0400

I say we give him the ultimate Special Operations thrill of his life; take him up on a C-130 on a one way trip, open up the tailgate throw his chute out and them him right after it. If he catches it puts it on and lives then he goes free, if not then so be it, he dies a loser.

Response by SrA John McAuliffe made Aug 2 at 2015 1:56 PM

SrA John McAuliffe — Sun, 02 Aug 2015 13:56:09 -0400

hahaahahahahahahahahaha!!!! He is a hilarious rip off of a character Curly played in a 3 Stooges skit! And I think that's exactly how to handle these pinheads too, just laugh yer ass off at 'em. It's the exact opposite of what they want, which is some respect they didn't earn. Give 'em a huge dose of public humiliation.

Response by SGT Rick Ash made Aug 6 at 2016 12:48 PM

SGT Rick Ash — Sat, 06 Aug 2016 12:48:19 -0400

Easy. Take out an ad in your local paper. Point out the legitimate aspects of his/her service but ask the question. How could any ONE service person really earn that many medals? Or earn them in that many countries? ( I don't even recognize some of the medals in that mess, it looks like a parody of a legitimate, highly decorated soldier!) Take out the ad, embarrass them, you'll feel great!

Response by MSG John Duchesneau made Nov 23 at 2016 10:24 PM

MSG John Duchesneau — Wed, 23 Nov 2016 22:24:12 -0500

Ironically, the photo above is of Lieutenant Colonel Bo Gritz - a legitimate, although controversial Vietnam Veteran. There are probably a few errors in the awards he is wearing but he did earning a significant number during his service - including five Silver Stars. There are any number of photos of fake Vets to be found so maybe you should use one of those.

Response by CW2 Michael Mullikin made Nov 25 at 2016 1:47 AM

CW2 Michael Mullikin — Fri, 25 Nov 2016 01:47:45 -0500

I thought it would be cool if a bunch of us stood around on court house steps wearing black robes and see if anyone has a problem with it.

Response by CW2 Michael Mullikin made Nov 25 at 2016 1:56 AM

CW2 Michael Mullikin — Fri, 25 Nov 2016 01:56:19 -0500

I seem to recall that back in the '80s, LTC Gritz was invlolved in shaking down MIA families to finance his "missions" into South East Asia to locate the missing. Strangely, he never seemed to find anyone.

Response by LTC Zachary Hubbard made Dec 1 at 2016 2:11 PM

LTC Zachary Hubbard — Thu, 01 Dec 2016 14:11:32 -0500

I'm not convinced he's a phony, but he's certainly a self-promoter. And last time I checked officers weren't authorized to wear full-sized medals on their class A or any other uniform.

Response by Cpl Kevin Partlow made Jun 12 at 2017 3:28 PM

Cpl Kevin Partlow — Mon, 12 Jun 2017 15:28:52 -0400

Don Shipley tends to make phony SEALS famous but doesn't do much with fakes from other branches. I'd like to see more accountability for those who disgrace the uniform.

Response by 1LT Joe Schmuccatelli made Jan 26 at 2018 9:01 PM

1LT Joe Schmuccatelli — Fri, 26 Jan 2018 21:01:47 -0500

He's out of uniform. Check out the following web site on this master of embellishment: http://www.miafacts.org/bopics.htm
Read it and weep...

Bo Knows He's a Phony

If you have not read the article about how James "Bo" Gritz, LieutenantColonel (not Colonel), U. S. Army (Retired), obtained all these medals, click here and read the article.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Jan 27 at 2018 12:48 AM

SSG Edward Tilton — Sat, 27 Jan 2018 00:48:10 -0500

It's Major Bo Gritz, he was the Commander of SF Team A-322 at Go Dau Ha Vietnam when I was there. He was the one who got Randy Weaver to surrender at Ruby Ridge. About half of that crap he is wearing he put himself in for. The rest were Genuine. He never made LTC either. just another wacked out Vietnam Vet like me. Shot himself. He was sort of a running joke at Tay Ninh sending through channels for all those things.
Unlike many others he wasn't afraid to actually go out and earn some

Response by William Charles made Mar 22 at 2018 9:15 PM

William Charles — Thu, 22 Mar 2018 21:15:14 -0400

So did anyone here who's complaining ever serve with the colonel? And did anyone who's writing s*** about the colonel ever serve with him at Ruby Ridge? No? Then shut the f*** up!!

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Mar 23 at 2018 5:38 PM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Fri, 23 Mar 2018 17:38:15 -0400

That guy has more metal on his chest than a modern car has in it's whole frame.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Mar 24 at 2018 5:31 AM

SGM Bill Frazer — Sat, 24 Mar 2018 05:31:39 -0400

If they are reaping any benefits or payments, they can be punished by the legal system

Response by GySgt Robert Danford made Aug 8 at 2018 4:16 PM

GySgt Robert Danford — Wed, 08 Aug 2018 16:16:33 -0400

Friends stand by I think what you are looking at is the late Colonel Bo Gritz! He was the real deal Ex Special Forces Green Berets

Response by CW2 Terry Vander Molen made Feb 11 at 2019 8:40 PM

CW2 Terry Vander Molen — Mon, 11 Feb 2019 20:40:53 -0500

Bo Gritz, best soldier according to Westmoreland

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2019 8:57 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 Feb 2019 20:57:07 -0500

It depends on their state of mind and how serious the transgression... and if they are receiving any compensation because of their lie.

Response by Abe Dean made Feb 12 at 2019 1:26 AM

Abe Dean — Tue, 12 Feb 2019 01:26:01 -0500

Holy shit, it looks like somebody who works the backroom at a surplus store loaded up one of those trumpet-ended black powder muskets with a random handful of anything and everything, handed it over, and told his buddy "Hold my beer, and do this really cool thing."

And from a medical standpoint, that CAN'T be good for one's back.

Response by SSgt Terry P. made Feb 12 at 2019 9:03 AM

SSgt Terry P. — Tue, 12 Feb 2019 09:03:49 -0500

SFC Russell Campbell Ignore them unless they are receiving some type of compensation.Anyone doing this has a mental or emotion problem and confronting them only adds to it.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Feb 12 at 2019 10:33 AM

CSM Richard StCyr — Tue, 12 Feb 2019 10:33:44 -0500

Wow sir, that's an impressive display, you loose your copy of the 670-1 or what?

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Feb 12 at 2019 11:02 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Tue, 12 Feb 2019 11:02:26 -0500

Where is your MOH? Then snicker and walk away.

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Feb 12 at 2019 11:49 AM

SMSgt Lawrence McCarter — Tue, 12 Feb 2019 11:49:47 -0500

I'm not exactly sure what to think of Bo Gritz, appears he actually was a Lt. Colonel in US Army Special Forces as was a Vietnam Veteran. He actually had spent 22 years in the US Army. He certainly had some valid decorations but it appears perhaps He spent a bit of time trying to decorate the Christmas tree beyond what was believable and had a hand in obtaining some of His own awards and often more than once for the same actions. The display of medals look pretty obscene and messy although even in that mess they appear in the right order for what they are. I'll admit I've never seen a display like that and that isn't a compliment. I've never been impressed by people that seem to have to hang every decoration they possibly could on their uniforms.

I have plenty of hanging medals Myself that I was issued and awarded but they are still in the boxes they came in and a few except for the day they were awarded I've never worn them, only the service ribbon which was also awarded. Nothing real impressive among them anyway, just the usual stuff You get in 22 years. When I die I'll just have them given to My oldest son and He can store them and say they were His Dad's. Got em stored in and old wooden cigar box.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 12 at 2019 12:19 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 Feb 2019 12:19:46 -0500

How can one steal "valor?"
You can't steal courage, you can only display it.
You can commit fraud, though, and that's what people who claim to have earned something they didn't, or to be something they aren't.
Politicians do it for votes and the personal and financial gains elected offices yield. These anger me the most.
Panhandlers do it to increase the money they beg for by appealing to the sympathy of people. These don't anger me, because I'm not stupid or naive enough to believe every heroin addict or professional panhandler begging for money at the stoplight is a Veteran.
Masquerader, whether by wearing a uniform of a service you were never in, an award you never earned, or falsely claiming to have served in a unit, location, capacity, or participated in activities you didn't, are the ones I find most interesting. They offend me, and I find them deplorable, but most of all, I don't respect them because I see them as weak and lacking self esteem. These people are a joke to me, and I don't feel a need to confront or expose them, unless they provoke me.
I have nonmilitary friends who get more offended by them than I. They make it a point to try to introduce them to me when hanging out, and purposely share one of their BS stories with the introduction. When I hear their fraudulent claims, beyond the expected exaggeration any good story deserves, I reply with the most dry "really," coupled with the most sarcastic expression I can muster. Normally, they pick up on it, and move out.
I don't find the need to expose them, unless I'm in a fowl mood, or they persist. I don't get accusatory, or aggressive, and it doesn't take many questions to frustrate their fraud.
With regard to benefits, that is more difficult, and the VA eventually discovers it. Defrauding VA, unless you're an SES or political appointee, will get you locked up.

Response by LTC Gary Earls made Feb 12 at 2019 3:58 PM

LTC Gary Earls — Tue, 12 Feb 2019 15:58:04 -0500

Blanket party??? :-)

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 12 at 2019 6:06 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 Feb 2019 18:06:27 -0500

Turn on an electromagnet?

Response by Edyie Pereyda made Feb 12 at 2019 6:35 PM

Edyie Pereyda — Tue, 12 Feb 2019 18:35:39 -0500

It's not right to impersonate anyone!...... they all should be punished!!.....

Response by Cpl Ed Hines made Aug 14 at 2019 5:09 PM

Cpl Ed Hines — Wed, 14 Aug 2019 17:09:38 -0400

People steal from veterans every day. Hell, the V.A. kills em by the bushel. Why the heck should the Supreme Court give a damn?

Response by SFC Nate Robertson made Apr 29 at 2020 2:35 AM

SFC Nate Robertson — Wed, 29 Apr 2020 02:35:26 -0400

This picture is of LTC Bo Gritz and he is real legit