It is illegal under federal law to wear an unauthorized military uniform or unearned decorations.

It is a federal misdemeanor offense for the unauthorized wear, manufacture, sale or claim (either written or verbal) of any military decorations and medals. Conviction carries a punishment of imprisonment for not more than 1 year and/or a fine; the scope previously covered only the Medal of Honor. The need for federal law came about because of large numbers of fake military heroes in the United States.

EXAMPLE OF IMPOSTER: "Many faces of 'fake vet' Rick Strandlof exposed"

SOURCE: www.denverpost.com WED 01 JUL 2009
 

The well-told combat tale, delivered by an accomplished liar, has become almost cliche. It has been known to yield any number of perks: a job, a date, a fundraising boost, a political leg up - even a free parking place via Purple Heart license plates. It can conceal character defects or even criminal histories.

"It's a great way to deflect criticism - 'I was a war hero for my country. How can you not like me?' " explained Loren Pankratz, a professor of clinical psychology at the Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, who testifies in court cases involving military imposters or veterans who inflate their records.

The deception was elaborate, cunningly conceived and boldly executed - from his command of military vernacular down to details like the bumper sticker on his car. He said he constructed his military persona based on real and fictional accounts gleaned from reading materials and movies. He also claimed that schizophrenia and bipolar disorder have affected his recollection of events over the past few years.

Though he never finished high school, the boy loved to read and had a "tremendous hunger for knowledge," recalled Robert Strandlof, who served as a Marine and whose brother, Richard - grandfather of Rick - served in the Air Force.

"He had such potential, and he was such a smart kid," said Robert Strandlof. "He went out on his own and never really kept in touch. I understand he lived under all kind of lies. You can't do that because sooner or later your lies always catch up to you."

But it wasn't just those convincing details that won people over. It was his apparent commitment to veterans causes.

TO READ THE FULL STORY GO TO: http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_12537680

Resources:

General Information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stolen_Valor_Act_of_2005

The Stolen Valor Act of 2005:

http://www.house.gov/salazar/docs/Pam%20Sterner%20Policy%20Analysis.pdf

http://www.pownetwork.org/phonies/stolen_valor_media_information_sheet.htm

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s109-1998

http://www.stolenvalor.com/

For more information on this subject, go to the books:
1. STOLEN VALOR -- How the Vietnam Generation was Robbed of its Heroes and its History
by B.G. Burkett and Glenna Whitley
2. FAKE WARRIORS
by Henry Mark Holzer and Erika Holzer

Support for DoD National Database of Military Award Winners

1. http://www.armytimes.com/news/2007/10/military_awards_database_071005w/  

2.
http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2007/09/military_valordatabase_070928w/

Reports of Stolen Valor and Convictions

http://www.collect.com/newsarticle.aspx?id=7242

http://washingtontimes.com/news/2008/feb/03/stolen-valor-revisited/

http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2006/Mar-26-Sun-2006/business/6284275.html

http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_12537680

http://www.moaa.org/todaysofficer/military/fake_heroes.asp

http://www.dba-oracle.com/t_fake_military_heroes_medals_uniforms.htm

http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB111533986173926430-K_XMqM2Fe4Gn2S_wmni1njavo2k_20060505.html?mod=blogs

POW NETWORK - Website to expose imposters of P.O.W.s from the Vietnam War http://www.pownetwork.org/phonies/phonies19.htm
ALL Vietnam POW/MIAs are listed at VIETNAM POW/MIA BIOGRAPHIES.
This website also contains a phony/wannabee information area and list of reported individuals.

U.S. Code Title 18, Section 702

1. http://uscode.house.gov/download/pls/18C33.txt

2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Title_18_of_the_United_States_Code

3. http://vlex.com/vid/uniform-armed-forces-health-service-19190978

4. http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode18/usc_sec_18_00000702----000-notes.html