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Man Probed for Unearned Medal of Honor
What is wrong with these people?CASEVILLE, Mich. - A World War II veteran photographed wearing a Medal of Honor at a Memorial Day event could face federal charges because it was a fake that he bought for $500, authorities said. William Kovick, 76, surrendered the medal and four other military honors last week. FBI investigators say Kovick acknowledged that he bought the Medal of Honor â the nation's highest military honor â in 1977 for $500. He also said he also mail-ordered a Navy Cross, Silver Star, Bronze Star and Purple Heart. No DSC? Why not collect them all? Ordering and owning unearned medals is legal, but wearing or selling them is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in prison and a $100,000 fine. "The intent of the federal law ... is to maintain the integrity of all the military awards and medals," said FBI Agent Thomas Cottone Jr. The Justice Department will decide whether to bring charges. They'll "decide"? Kovick came under investigation after his photo appeared May 31 on the front page of the Huron Daily Tribune of Bad Axe, showing him wearing the Medal of Honor at a Memorial Day event. Vietnam veteran Doug Sterner of Pueblo, Colo., who operates a Web site dedicated to Medal of Honor recipients, contacted Cottone. Kovick told the newspaper that he served in the Navy in 1944-46 and 1950-53. He said the only medals he earned were ones for service in the Asiatic-Pacific campaign in World War II and the Korean War. The Medal of Honor is given "for conspicuous gallantry" in combat. There are fewer than 125 living recipients. They've people out there that make it their lifes work to nail guys like this. Don't they realize that? Posted by: tu3031 2005-06-27 |
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