Stolen Valor Legislation Aims for Stricter Penalties for Misrepresented Military Service

PHOENIX—Among the various schemes and deceits that U.S. Air Force veteran Bob Dalpe has encountered, the act of stolen valor stands out as particularly contemptible.

Stolen valor refers to the false claims made by an individual about serving in the military, often involving exaggerated sacrifices in combat, and may include wearing a fraudulent uniform decorated with fake medals.

Dalpe mentioned that some veterans also inflate their rank and military service to secure extra benefits and recognition.

“It’s incredibly frustrating to confront those individuals because it raises questions about their integrity,” he remarked. “It diminishes the value of genuine service and harms everyone around.”

Dalpe, along with fellow veterans, participated in a recent press event in Phoenix for the introduction of a bill aimed at punishing anyone guilty of stolen valor in Arizona.

This legislation targets individuals who exploit stolen valor to obtain benefits reserved for veterans, falsify related documents, or falsely declare themselves as veterans while seeking public office or conducting business.

“This legislation reflects the principles we cherish as veterans. We must convey a firm message to those who wish to usurp our valor,” Blackman, a Republican, stated during the conference.

While acknowledging that stolen valor is not a novel issue, Blackman highlighted its detrimental effects, emphasizing that it undermines the respect afforded to military service.

“Arizona has seen numerous instances of stolen valor that have cost the state over $40 million due to improper veterans benefits, contracts, job placements, and more,” said Blackman.

“This is an effort to ensure accountability. Those who commit such acts will face consequences, including incarceration,” he asserted.

Stolen valor is viewed as “essentially a deception,” according to the Armed Forces Benefit Association (AFBA).

Though it isn’t technically illegal to fabricate stories for social situations, the AFBA explains that “stolen valor is a more complex issue, which is why it is deemed a crime.”

Impersonating military personnel is a related offense, which may involve intentional and wrongful misrepresentation, whether or not there is an intent to deceive, as indicated by the organization on its website.

Several states have already enacted laws that punish stolen valor.

This includes anyone who pretends to be a veteran through spoken or written claims, as well as those who don military decorations to mislead others.

This legislation proposes increasing the maximum penalty for stolen valor from one year to three years of imprisonment, aligning it with the penalty for impersonating a public official.

This report will identify any financial or governmental benefits received through the falsification of military decorations or medals and will also provide recommendations to prevent stolen valor in the future.

“The acknowledgments and honors our veterans have rightfully earned are sacred, and sadly, there have been too many cases of stolen valor leading to the misappropriation of government benefits,” stated Van Duyne.

“The government must ensure that all taxpayer funds designated for our veterans reach those who truly deserve it.

This legislation aims at those who falsely assert military service or accolades to secure employment, government contracts, or veterans benefits.

It also addresses individuals who leverage a fictitious veteran status for electoral gains, campaign donations, or political leverage, as well as those who falsify or modify military documents, combat badges, or awards.

Penalties for such infractions may range from a Class 4 felony to a Class 2 felony, especially in cases involving significant benefits. Furthermore, the bill necessitates the dismissal of any public officials convicted under this statute.

Blackman indicated that the offense would be categorized as a Class 3 felony if the benefit was valued between $5,000 and $10,000 and as a Class 2 felony if the benefit was worth at least $50,000.

“This legislation clearly indicates that Arizona will not stand for stolen valor in any form,” Blackman noted in a statement.

“By holding individuals responsible for misrepresenting their military status for personal, political, or financial gain, we preserve the integrity of our veterans’ accomplishments and the trust of our citizens.”

The federal Stolen Valor Act of 2005 classified it as a misdemeanor to falsely claim the receipt of any military medal or honor.

However, the U.S. Supreme Court deemed the law unconstitutional, asserting it violated the First Amendment right to free speech.

In response, the amended law in 2013 clarified that fraudulent claims of military service aimed at securing benefits, public office, or financial gain do not have First Amendment protections.

Blackman asserts that the Arizona bill builds significantly upon the 2013 statute by rectifying shortcomings in federal regulations and reinforcing protections at the state level.

“Personal expression, such as wearing military medals or claiming service, is protected under the First Amendment,” Blackman clarified. “We are not infringing upon anyone’s First Amendment rights.”

Furthermore, the bill employs Arizona’s constitutional authority under the 10th Amendment to target fraudulent acts impacting state programs, electoral processes, and state institutions.

“Our goal is to safeguard where the federal government has fallen short,” added Blackman, a 21-year veteran of the U.S. Army and recipient of a Bronze Star for his combat service in Iraq.

A Reflection of Character

Mike Simon, a U.S. Marine veteran from Illinois, believes that stolen valor tarnishes the reputation of veterans and highlights the shortcomings of those who falsely claim military service.

“It’s an embarrassment to veterans across the nation and specifically in Arizona,” Simon, who was present at the Jan. 15 event, shared with The Epoch Times.

“It’s disheartening that individuals feel compelled to inflate their service records for personal gain.”

Dalpe, a military and veterans advocate from Massachusetts, noted that two main motivations drive individuals to commit acts of stolen valor: the desire for financial gain and attention.

“Much of it revolves around the quest for attention—such as receiving free meals or drinks,” Dalpe explained.

“When they repeat a story often enough, it begins to be accepted as truth—it’s a form of propaganda,” he remarked.

“Some individuals get exposed without facing any repercussions, an occurrence that has been frequent since the second Gulf War,” he continued.

Dalpe suggested that many in Arizona might be committing stolen valor.

“Numerous political figures have leveraged organizations like the American Legion, the VFW, or Disabled American Veterans to secure their elections—across both major parties.”

Given the widespread reach of social media, Dalpe noted it has become increasingly simple for individuals to propagate false claims of military service.

“It detracts from the genuine accomplishments we achieved,” he lamented. “It’s a selfish act—granting oneself valor—all about the individual.”

U.S. Air Force veteran Denzel Smalls, from New York City and a participant in Operation Enduring Freedom, observed that incidents of stolen valor are more prevalent among civilians falsifying military documents.

“Falsifying records constitutes a crime of significant magnitude,” Smalls expressed to The Epoch Times.

“The lengths some will go to alter their records to claim they were an officer or received a Purple Heart are substantial.”

When it comes to stolen valor, he noted: “You’re essentially committing theft—it’s a high-level theft.”

Dan West, the adjutant general of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) in Kansas City, Missouri, believes that the “little details” often reveal someone trying to fabricate military service.

“I’ve met individuals who claimed to be Marines. When I probed about their specific unit, they would incorrectly state they were with the ‘101st Airborne Division of the United States Army,’” West recounted.

Some individuals posing as combat veterans may attempt to benefit from veterans’ organizations by donning military uniforms, often improperly displaying medals—either backwards or in unsuitable placements.

West recalled encountering his first case of stolen valor in 2004, when a woman dressed in an Army uniform and wearing a Purple Heart claimed to have recently returned from Iraq.

“She had a compelling story,” West remembered. “However, it turned out she had never even completed boot camp.”

“Once we uncovered the truth, she was expelled,” West told The Epoch Times. “The crux of the stolen valor issue is that when someone joins a veterans’ service organization, they are surrounded by individuals who can discern dishonesty.

“Usually, it’s the minor inconsistencies that lead to their exposure.”

Currently, there are over 957,000 members across approximately 5,700 VFW posts worldwide. West mentioned that he receives at least two complaints related to stolen valor each month.

While West acknowledges he might not fully grasp the psychological motivations pushing someone to fake military service, he shares a theory.

“There’s an old saying: ‘Every man thinks less of himself for not having been a soldier.’ They may feel like they are lacking because of it,” he explained.

“While I can’t pinpoint the reasons, I do recognize that crossing into financial gain marks a serious violation of ethics.”