Posted on Mar 22, 2015
Stolen Valor: How do we punish the phony "Hero"?
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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.
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.
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Stolen Valor
Stolen Valor
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 43
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Looks like 3yr olds decorating a christmas tree. Looks like he was hit by a horse-shit grenade.
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1SG (Join to see)
You got me, PO1 Cleve Ikaika Waiwaiole.
I am pretty jaded, But you got me to laugh out loud.
I am pretty jaded, But you got me to laugh out loud.
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PO1 Cleve Ikaika Waiwaiole
It's probably my biggest peeve. I can't stand when people don't wear their uniform properly. And especially since this douche isnt even a service member...
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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
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
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1SG (Join to see)
Mr Gritz was once very well known for his repeated attempts at running for President of the United States.
From the picture, I think he should broaden his search and look to run for President somewhere in Central America.
From the picture, I think he should broaden his search and look to run for President somewhere in Central America.
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1LT Joe Schmuccatelli
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...
Read it and weep...
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.
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PO3 (Join to see)
Wow! never thought I'd see Schmuccatelli live and in the internet flesh! I mean your name is used for every object lesson I was ever given in the Navy. And to see that you were actually an Army Infantry Officer rather than the Seaman Recruit I was told you were is kind of depressing.
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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.
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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.
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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.
And from a medical standpoint, that CAN'T be good for one's back.
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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
Unlike many others he wasn't afraid to actually go out and earn some
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SGT (Join to see)
Shot himself eh? Wish I would not hear that so often. Wish I would not know so many that have lost have their mind and struggle everyday with not putting that note to the end of their life or have done so. I just pray that, especially today, many can understand that the country they (and I) fought for no longer exists, and they must go forward and take care of themselves despite the blood crying from the ground. Each and every life that served is precious. I think the time when we really have to die on the hill is still upon us, hang in there and make your life count!
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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.
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.
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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.
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SSgt Terry P.
SFC Russell Campbell Another point--We shouldn't make assumptions---this is Bo Gritz and earned everything on the uniform.
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It depends on their state of mind and how serious the transgression... and if they are receiving any compensation because of their lie.
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