Misuse of military medals, penalty
This law is called the 'Stolen Valor Act of 2007.' It makes it illegal to pretend to be a military veteran or to fake having won military medals or awards. Someone who wears, buys, sells, or trades fake or real military medals while pretending to be a recipient, or who lies about winning military awards, or who falsely calls themselves a veteran to get personal benefits, is breaking this law. A first offense is a misdemeanor. Repeat offenses or faking higher honors like the Medal of Honor result in more serious felony charges.
Classifications stated in the statute. Actual outcomes vary.
570.350. Misuse of military medals, — of awarding of military medals, penalty — use of the of veteran, penalty. — 1. This section shall be known and may be cited as the "Stolen Valor Act of 2007".
2. Any person who, with the intent to himself or herself as a veteran or medal recipient, wears, purchases, attempts to purchase, for purchase, mails, ships, imports, exports, produces blank certificates of receipt for, , sells, attempts to sell, advertises for sale, trades, barters, or exchanges for anything of value any decoration or medal under chapter 41, or by the Congress for the , or any of the medals or badges awarded to the members of such forces, or the ribbon, button, or of any such badge, decoration, or medal, or any thereof, except when authorized under regulations under law, is guilty of a . Any second or of this is a .
3. Any person who misrepresents himself or herself, verbally or in writing, to have been awarded any decoration or medal authorized under chapter 41, or by Congress for the Armed Forces of the United States, any of the service medals or badges awarded to the members of such forces, the ribbon, button, or rosette of any such badge, decoration, or medal, or any colorable imitation of such item is guilty of a class A misdemeanor. Any second or subsequent violation of this subsection is a class E felony.
4. Any person who uses the title of "veteran", as defined by the United States of Veterans Affairs or its agency, in to obtain personal , monetary or otherwise, and such person does not have verifiable of his or her status as a veteran is guilty of a class A misdemeanor. Any second or subsequent violation of this subsection is a class E felony.
5. If a decoration or medal involved in an described in subsections 2 to 4 of this section is a distinguished-service cross awarded under Section 3742 of Title 10 of the United States Code, a Navy Cross awarded under Section 6242 of Title 10 of the United States Code, an Air Force Cross awarded under Section 8742 of Section 10 of the United States Code, a Silver Star awarded under Section 3742, 6244, or 8746 of Title 10 of the United States Code, a Purple Heart awarded under Section 1129 of Title 10 of the United States Code, or any replacement or duplicate medal for such medal as authorized by law, the penalty provided in subsection 2, 3, or 4 of this section, the is guilty of a class E felony.
6. If a decoration or medal involved in an offense described in subsections 2 to 4 of this section is the Medal of Honor awarded under Section 1560 of Title 38 of the United States Code, the offender is guilty of a .
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Source & history notes
(L. 2007 H.B. 654 & 938, A.L. 2014 S.B. 491) Transferred 2014; formerly 578.510; Effective 1-01-17
Legal information, not legal advice. Always confirm with the official source at revisor.mo.gov.