I have met three men who have been awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor:

[11 Bravo]

Roger Donlon, Bob Foley, and Tom Hudner. Three men, and coincidentally, three different wars. I have heard their stories, (only a small bit from their own mouths, because they don't talk about it much); but also from the mouths of their families or their comrades in arms.
So I find myself on the horns of a dilemma. While always having been something of a 1st Amendment absolutist, I'm forced to seek an exception here. If one falsely claims to have been awarded that which these men risked everything for; and said liar should not face jail time, then at the very least he needs to have his ass kicked.
Just one man's opinion.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. I agree completely. (nt)

[Roon]

2. My grandfather got that medal for fighting in the battle of the bulge

My grandfather said that it was the most coldest, miserable periods of his life. They had to go number 2 in the snow and they would use snow to wipe with.

[HereSince1628]

3. Many fought and died for 'freedom' that comes with a democracy

politicians get elected by lying about what they'll do once elected.

Those politicians soil the honor of the valiant who fought to preserve our nation, and they do it to promote their careers and personal wealth. Would you advocate locking up everyone of the lying ass politicians?


Lying is speech, lying for profit is fraud. It's up to the recipient of speech to be skeptical and up to prosecutors to root for, er ah, I mean root out fraud.

[arbusto_baboso]

4. I met Lew Millett a few years ago at a Special Operations Association convention.

As you say, the 1st Amendment is and must be an absolute.

Doesn't mean there aren't other ways of enforcing honesty about these decorations, though.

[11 Bravo]

5. Yup. I believe we're in agreement here.

[brendan120678]

6. I agree...a good ass-kicking would be well deserved.

Also, a small point: it's just the "Medal of Honor," not the "Congressional Medal of Honor."

[old mark]

7. I did not meet this man, but I saw him when I was in the Army and he was

recovering from his wounds sustained in Vietnam. To lie about getting the Medal may not be illegal, but is is certainly immoral and lower than shit.
Msgt Roy Benevides story is here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roy_Benavidez

and the Vietnam Meday holders are all listed here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Medal_of_Honor_recipients_for_the_Vietnam_War

Read some of the short descriptions of what they did do be awarded the Medal and imagine yourself doing it. I can't.
Imagine someone lieing about having the Medal and see how you feel after you have read a few of these stories.

mark

[11 Bravo]

8. I couldn't agree more.

Tom Hudner crashed his plane on a Korean ridgeline ON PURPOSE in an attempt to rescue a squadron mate who had been shot down. I am in awe of that kind of courage and selflessness.

[old mark]

9. Look how many threw themselves on live grenades to save their friends...

Gives me the chills just thinking about it...


mark

[damntexdem]

10. Maybe such a liar deserves to get the assed kicked.

But not by a government prosecutor.