Database on medals sought to catch frauds

[unhappycamper]

Database on medals sought to catch frauds
By Leo Shane III, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Thursday, October 4, 2007

WASHINGTON — A pair of congressmen want to establish the first database for military awards to help law enforcement officials catch and prosecute military frauds.

The measure, to be introduced in the House this week, would collect the names of all current and former servicemembers who have earned military medals including the Medal of Honor, Silver Star and Purple Heart. Certain Coast Guard and Merchant Marine medals also would be included.

That database would be made available to law enforcement and certain researchers to help them determine rightful heroes from clever frauds.

Last year, Congress approved the Stolen Valor Act, making false possession and display of certain high-level military medals punishable by up to six months in jail.

But sponsor Rep. John Salazar, R-Colo., said many of the cases proved difficult to prosecute because investigators had no way to prove or disprove whether a suspect actually earned any medals.

“These honors are reserved for those who willingly risked their lives for our country,” he said in a statement. “It is our job to protect the honor and integrity of our veterans, to make sure the memory of their heroism is not tarnished.”


Rest of article at: http://stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=49252



uhc comment: A quick look over at thomas.loc.gov does not show anything yet for Rep. John T. Salazar D-CO-3.

I agree that there's a lot of fraud to go with the occupation, but I'm more concerned about another database with my information being hacked into.