know someone who purchased a purple heart and he never earned it. Cant he get in trouble for that?

Question

Are there legal consequences for buying a purple heart on ebay when that person never earned it?

ex husband bought it on ebay and told a social worker working on our custody case that he was in Iraq and Afganisitan that he was shot by a sniper but survived because of his bullet proof vest...And I know for a fact that he was at diego garcia

ex husband bought it on ebay and told a social worker working on our custody case that he was in Iraq and Afganisitan that he was shot by a sniper but survived because of his bullet proof vest...And I know for a fact that he was at diego garcia...but he is no longer in the air force.

Answer 1

Any claim that he earned it (written, verbal, etc.) is a federal felony that would get him a year in jail or up to a $10,000 fine. I can't seem to find if the fact that he bought it at all is a criminal offense or not. Just encourage him/her to keep it quiet.

UPDATE: "The Stolen Valor Act makes claiming unearned decorations - either verbally or in writing - a federal crime punishable by up to six months in prison and a $5,000 fine. The penalties double for false claims involving military decorations specifically awarded for combat valor."

I wanted exact wording for you. Since a purple heart is a combat valor decoration, that would be 1 year in prison and/or $10,000.

Answer 2

Under the new "Stolen Valor Act" doing what your ex-claims is now illegal and can lead to a prosecution.

The buying and selling of certain high awards has also been classified as a crime, including I believe the purple heart, but due to the ill-thought out and complex nature of the new law, a soldier who posts his own medals home can be arrested and charged under the new act!!!

It also puts a halt to genuine military medal collectors in the USA from pursuing their hobby.

Answer 3

Not only is it immoral but it is illegal. I have a purple heart that was presented to me by a Marine General at the Charlie med Naval hospital in Aug of 1966. I have never worn it and am not really entitled to it. My loss of limb was due to more of an industrial accident and not hostile action. So, it sits in it's box in the back of a drawer gathering dust.

Answer 4

It's not illegal to purchase a military decoration, except for the Medal of Honor.

But it is illegal to falsely claim to have been awarded one.

Any false verbal, written or physical claim to the Purple Heart Medal, by an individual to whom it has not been awarded, is a federal felony offence punishable by up to a year in jail and up to a $10,000 fine.

Answer 5

According to the article below, "Owning medals and displaying them is legal, even if the owner misrepresents that he earned the medal. However, it is illegal to wear an unearned medal, a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail and a fine. "

In addition, I think you should present evidence that he bought the purple heart off eBay and was not owed one if you think it's relevant to your case.

Answer 6

Y E S, it is a Federal Offense to wear any US Military Medal without earning it.

Answer 7

help him along tell him that you no someone who did the same thing and showed the purple heart to social worker said it his, and won the case then burry him ?

Answer 8

That would be covered under the "Stolen Valor Act of 2005": http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=s109-1998

Answer 9

if not your lying to yourself...and who has the purple heart to sell??My Uncle earned one WWII and the Korean war.He was very disappointed when he lost it a few years ago in a flood around San Antonio.He said he could replace everything he lost,except his medals.

Answer 10

It is illegal if he wears it or claims to have earned it.

And anyone who claims to have earned any medal, especially that one, they didn't earn is low-life scum.