Stolen valor cases

1stCavRVN11B sent me a .pdf from the Department of Justice in which they announced some of the Stolen Valor cases they are prosecuting;

According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Rodriguez, who is prosecuting the PIOTROWSKI case, PIOTROWSKI claimed that he was awarded a Silver Star for “gallantry in action during combat operations against hostile forces” in Operation Desert Storm. Specifically, PIOTROWSKI falsely claimed that in 1991 during an Iraqi counterattack, he “exposed himself to direct enemy fire while providing suppressive fires to cover an antitank team, which was maneuvering to destroy an Iraqi T-62 tank.” In fact, as he admitted in his plea of guilty, PIOTROWSKI did not see military action in Operation Desert Storm; he purchased the Silver Star Citation and medal via the Internet. Under false pretenses, PIOTROWSKI was formally recognized for the Silver Star by the Undersecretary for the California Department of Veterans Affairs in a ceremony in December 2007. Sentencing in the case is scheduled for November 30, 2009 before Judge Hollows.

the indictment alleges that NELSON wore a Silver Star that had not been awarded to him. The indictment also alleges that NELSON, during an investigation by the FBI, falsely claimed to have earned three Purple Hearts in Vietnam. According to the indictment, NELSON falsely stated that he had earned his third Purple Heart after he stepped on a spike and received an ankle wound while carrying an injured fellow soldier on his back for 26 miles. The indictment alleges that NELSON did not serve in any combat role with the U.S. Military in Vietnam or elsewhere and that he did not receive any decorations or medals. NELSON, who is known by many as an unofficial caretaker of the California Vietnam Veterans Memorial, has been featured in local television and newspaper stories in which he was described as a former Marine who served in Vietnam for three years and received medals for valor.

In another case prosecuted under the Stolen Valor Act, MICHAEL ALLAN FRASER, 63, of Oroville, pleaded guilty in May 2008 to violating the Stolen Valor Act, and was sentenced to serve 100 hours of community service and a fine of $500. FRASER had given an interview to the Oroville Mercury Register in which he falsely claimed to have been awarded two Purple Hearts and two Bronze Stars for heroism in Vietnam. He had traveled to Vietnam with real Vietnam veterans, who believed he was helping them to “bury the ghosts” of the past. In fact, FRASER never served in Vietnam or received such medals.

I’d have a bunch more cases for them if the Department of Veterans Affairs would release the list of Gulf War veterans who claim POW status.

Category: Phony soldiers