POSTED: 04:33 p.m. EST, Nov 11, 2009

PALM SPRINGS, Calif.: A Palm Springs man who was never in the military has been charged with wearing the Navy's highest honor.

Federal prosecutors in Los Angeles say 39-year-old Steven Burton was photographed wearing the Navy Cross along with the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart and other medals.

The U.S. attorney's office said Wednesday that a Navy commander attending her high school reunion noticed Burton wearing a Marine uniform with the medals and contacted the FBI.

Authorities say Burton claimed in Internet postings that he'd served in Afghanistan and Iraq. He's expected to surrender Thursday to face a charge of unauthorized wearing of military medals and could face up to a year in federal prison if convicted.

And

By Sandra Jontz,
Stars and Stripes European Edition (2004)

STAFFORD, Va. — A U.S. Navy captain with 34 years of service was found guilty late Friday night of wearing service ribbons and medals for which he did not rate, including the Silver Star and Distinguished Flying Cross, officials said.

Capt. Roger D. Edwards was found guilty during a court-martial held at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., and sentenced to 115 days in the brig, forfeiture of $2,500 pay a month for three months, and a letter of reprimand to be put in his personnel file, said base spokesman Capt. Jeffrey Landis.

The presiding judge, Navy Capt. Henry Lazzaro, did not dismiss him for service, which means Edwards will be entitled to full retirement benefits, Landis said.

Edwards began serving his jail time when the proceeding ended Friday around 10:30 p.m. Edwards was found guilty on 11 specifications of Article 134, wearing ribbons the judge ruled that he had not earned, including the prestigious Silver Star — the third-highest honor for valor — the Distinguished Flying Cross, four Purple Hearts, a gold star on a Defense Meritorious Award, a gold star on a Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, and Basic Parachutists Wings, Landis said.

There are a LOT of wannabees out there. Currently, the VA has more POWs listed than the Dept. of Defense lists.