Phony soldiers

During the RNC protest parade on day one, I saw several protesters wearing military uniforms. Had it not been for the promise made to Joe Repya to avoid any and all confrontations, I probably would have walked out into the crowd and started ripping their uniforms off. Nothing pisses me off more than people who dishonor the uniform by wearing it to make a political statement.


John at This Ain't Hell has the inside scoop on one such idiot (above), who just happens to be the head of the DC chapter of Iraq Vets Against the War. Apparently, wearing his uniform at political rallies is the least of the guys problems. He is also wearing medals that he may not be entitled to, which is now a crime thanks to the Stolen Valor Act-

False Claims About Receipt of Military Medals- Whoever falsely represents himself or herself, verbally or in writing, to have been awarded any decoration or medal authorized by Congress for the armed forces of the United States, or any of the service medals or badges awarded to the members of such forces, or the ribbon, button, or rosette of any such badge, decoration or medal, or any colorable imitation thereof shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than six months, or both.'

The medal in question is the one on the top left in the picture. It's the MSM, or Meritorious Service Medal, and the bronze oak leaves he has on it means he's claiming to have been awarded 3 MSM's. The MSM is awarded for-

Criteria: Awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who distinguished themselves by outstanding non-combat meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to 16 January 1969. Normally, the acts or services rendered must be comparable to that required for the Legion of Merit but in a duty of lesser though considerable responsibility.

In 16 years in the national Guard, I've seen 3 MSM's awarded, and all went to commissioned officers. This guy is claiming to have been awarded three in less than a year's time in Iraq. You would have to be an exceptional soldier to accomplish this, yet this same guy went AWOL on coming home from Iraq. Not real likely. The good news is that the information had been forwarded to the FBI.