Stolen Valor Act of 2005

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The Stolen Valor Act of 2005 (the Act), signed into law by President George W. Bush on December 20, 2006,[1] is a U.S. law that broadens the provisions of previous U.S. law addressing the unauthorized wearing, manufacture or selling of military decorations and medals. It is a federal offense which carries a punishment of prison time and/or a fine; the scope previously covered only the Medal of Honor.

The Act was first introduced into the United States Congress's House of Representatives on July 19, 2005 by Representative John Salazar, a Democrat from Colorado, as H.R. 3352.[2][3] It was introduced into the Senate by Senator Kent Conrad, a Democrat from North Dakota, on November 10, 2005 as S. 1998.[4][5] The Senate version was passed unanimously on September 7, 2006.[5][6] The Senate version then went to the same House Judiciary Committee that held the House version. The Act briefly stalled, but the House subsequently passed the Senate version, S. 1998, on December 6, 2006.[7]

The purpose of the Act is to strengthen the provisions of 18 U.S.C. § 704 by broadening its scope and strengthening penalties. Specific new provisions in the Act include: granting more authority to Federal law enforcement officers, extending scope beyond the Medal of Honor, broadening the law to cover false claims whereas previously an overt act had to be committed, covering mailing and shipping of medals, and protecting the reputation and meaning of military heroism medals.[3][5]

The need for the Act came about because of large numbers of fake military heroes in the United States. For example, as of June 2, 2006 there were only 120 living Medal of Honor recipients, but there were far more known imposters.[8][9][10] There are also large numbers of fake Navy SEALS[11][12] and Army Special Forces,[13] among others.

The Orders and Medals Society of America (OMSA), an organization of collectors, had opposed the bill in its current form. OMSA is of the opinion that the changes to 18 U.S.C. § 704 included wording that implied that any movement or exchange of medals would be illegal.[14][15]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Anne C. Mulkern. "Rep. Salazar's bill on falsely claiming medals now a law", Denver Post, December 20, 2006. Retrieved on December 22, 2006.
  2. ^ H.R. 3352: Stolen Valor Act of 2005. 109th U.S. Congress (2005-2006). GovTrak.us. Retrieved on December 10, 2006.
  3. ^ a b H.R. 3352 (32KBPDF). 109th U.S. Congress (2005-2006). GovTrak.us. Retrieved on December 10, 2006.
  4. ^ S. 1998: Stolen Valor Act of 2005. 109th U.S. Congress (2005-2006). GovTrak.us. Retrieved on December 10, 2006.
  5. ^ a b c S. 1998 (32KBPDF). 109th U.S. Congress (2005-2006). GovTrak.us. Retrieved on December 10, 2006.
  6. ^ S. 1998 In The House Of Representatives. 109th U.S. Congress (2005-2006). TheOrator.com (Sep 8, 2006). Retrieved on December 10, 2006.
  7. ^ Sterner, C. Douglas (Dec 7, 2006). The Stolen Valor Act of 2005. POWnet.org. Retrieved on December 10, 2006.
  8. ^ Living Recipients. Congressional Medal of Honor Society (Jun 2006). Retrieved on December 10, 2006.
  9. ^ Taylor, Michael (May 1999). Tracking Down False Heroes - Medal of Honor recipients go after impostors. Mishalov.com. Retrieved on December 10, 2006.
  10. ^ Mishalov, Neil (1999). Men Who Falsely Claim to have Received the Medal of Honor. Mishalov.com. Retrieved on December 10, 2006.
  11. ^ Waterman, Steve. Fake SEALs. stevenlwaterman.com. Retrieved on December 10, 2006.
  12. ^ Wannebes Beware!. nightscribe.com. Retrieved on December 10, 2006.
  13. ^ Hunting the Phonies. specialoperations.com. Retrieved on December 10, 2006.
  14. ^ OMSA President's Message on the Stolen Valor Act to all OMSA members and friends. Orders and Medals Society of America. Retrieved on December 13, 2006.
  15. ^ Sample Letter to Congressman. Orders and Medals Society of America. Retrieved on December 13, 2006.

[edit] External links

False Heroes
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