I do not understand people. What is the point, to show how man you are? HEY IM THE BIGGER MAN BECAUSE I GOT THREE AWARDS IN THE ARMY.. to bad i didnt earn them.. psh

WE USED TO CALL GUYS LIKE THAT "AAFES" SOLDIERS. I KNEW A GUY IN AIT WHO JUST BEFORE WE GRADUATED;CAME IN WEARING A UNIFORM THAT MADE HIM LOOK LIKE HE WAS AN E-4.AIRBORNE!........I RAN IN TO HIM AT FLIEGLHORST KARSERN IN ERLENSEE GERMANY. HEY PVT,SEARGENT..IF YOUR READING THIS.YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE.

so what ....
let the guy go - not a big deal to waste time and tax money over. Guess it was Halloween for him all year long. No harm done - no crime committed.

Yeah,Karl...so what?? If it's no big deal show up at a soldiers funeral wearing a Medal Of Honor and start blowing war stories...you know for laughs.

Those honors are reserved for the men and women of the Armed Forces that earned them, and no other. If it were any other way, they would not be honors. That is why it's illegal to wear a legitimate award when you didn't earn it. It takes a person w/ a certain amount of intestinal fortitude to earn these awards, and for someone to wear them, unearned, is a slap in the face of every hero/heroine that has earned them. I'd slap him w/ impersonating an officer as well. What a rotten, stinking leg.

Reread the article Karl. He did indeed commit a crime and he's going to do some time as a result.

I liked Rush Limbaugh's statement of these kind of people..."Phony soldiers". I guess this one will be added to the list. And Karl, he is impersonating a war hero, which he is not. Yes, harm is done for people that he's lying to.

This guy has what it takes to be a successful conservative talk show host. He would be a perfect fit with those drft dodging sunshine patriots.

Wow Karl...I guess I can walk around in a police uniform with no harm done huh?

Guys like this deserve to be in jail or whatever they decide to do with him. I EARNED every award and medal that I recieved. Likewise for the men that I served with and the few that are still serving. Its a shame that we have Marines, Soldiers, and Sailors earning a living doing the things that this guy is faking.

Too many good men and women have EARNED the right to wear their ribbons and medals through hard work and personal sacrifice. He should get the maximum sentence allowable!

My medals are in the attic. I don't really care anything about them.
We have more pressing issues in America than prosecuting this poor soul with low esteem.

It is interesting to note that he was charged with wearing medals and not impersonating a military officer, which has a much more impressive penalty. He was not a 'draft dodger' as he was injured in basic training and discharged as a result of this. As to being a 'false' war hero, more than just this person has been found guilty of this. And in this day and age we need more 'heros' and less falsehood.

This is just stupid. I bet this would be a crime under UCMJ, but this guy is a civilian. Don't civilians have right to free speech? So, a civilian can legally burn an American flag just for fun, but cannot wear an alluminum medal bought at AAFES, or hand crafted to look alike the real thing. Are we living in America, or Sparta?

Interesting that during the whole Swiftboat episode (starring John Kerry, a distinguished Navy man who earned his medals in combat) there was nary a peep from the soldiers who listen so intently to the drug abusing, drug dealing Rush Limbaugh, or who cheer two draft dodgers galore, George "Champagne" Bush and Dick "I have better things to do" Cheney every time they appear during their carefully stage managed appearances at military bases. I guess honor is a relative thing, and bears no relation to the truth, particularly when it relates to integrity, courage, honesty, or the ability to sacrifice oneself instead of asking others to lay down their lives on the line. Most curious...

By the way, there is a little button on your keyboard called the caps lock button that allows you to type your message in lowercase, as needed. Perhaps it's stuck on the locked position?

Waste of taxpayer resources to prosecute something as lame as this. I'm sure it helped him pick up chicks.

Bush is still mad because he did not think of it first..All these medals would have look impressive on his flight suit..And Laura would have been proud of her soldier...

Aside from the obvious crime of the wearing medals he did not earn, I think everyone is also forgetting that this man got a job based on these "credentials" and that it was a job that could have resulted in injury/death of others because he claimed an expertise that he did not have. This guys deserves every punshment we can throw at thim.

Hey! This is America. You can be anybody you want to be.

If someone would go to these extreme measures to feel important then something is wrong - give the guy a break. Man, it is so easy to pile on when someone is down . If you are in the military and think that "honors" is what it is all about then you missed the mark. Virtue is it's own reward - leave this guy alone.

Let the poor guy go. I threw my medals away and do not see any value in them. They are usually given out to people who don't deserve them. I knew several admins at the company hq who would put themselves in for prestigious awards because they knew how the "system worked". You can always tell Army admin people by the low rank and the large collection of medals on their chests.

The only people who are mad at this guy are those who've never been in the military (sunshine patriots = right-wingers mostly).

We live in a supposedly free society. While it may be a slap in the face to soldiers for him to wear fake medals, it is entirely within his right to do so. We might not approve of it but we don't get to pick and choose which freedoms are allowed; We have to accept them all. Any law that makes it illegal to wear medals without authorization is unconstitutional.

Not too long ago, there was a time when putting on a uniform to earn respect was the last thing anyone would do. Isn't it a good thing that the public perception of the military is a positive one now? Why would you want to discourage this?

Hey Perez don't wrap up everybody in one big bundle and proclaim to be their spokesman. Don't speak for me like all the left wing liberals do by say'en things like, "The American people don't think it is right," and just summarily dismiss the topic because you say so. He is sporting the SF Regimental Crest, SF Tab, numerous Presidential Unit Citations (had to be assigned to the unit when earned to wear them), not to mention the CIB and Jump Wings. If you, Mr Perez, had to go through some of the grueling tasks required to earn some of those medals, badges and awards trust me, you would not be happy. If you want more examples of morons like Louis Lowell McGuinn, check out the SF and Ranger walls of shame on the net. To bad their are many more shining examples like the dirty nasty smelly leg Pvt McGuinn. I'm sorry Mr. Perez but I don't need you or people with an attitude like yours speaking for me. Unlike most support, service support, peace time, leg, REMFs, I kept mine. I'm the only one who looks at them from time to time because they do mean something to me. Regardless of what you think, and people like you, Mr. Perez most of us who have earned them do find great value in them. We would appreciate if you not devalue them farther.

No Story Here, Just How sad that a person felt that's somthing they had too do. I Pitty the Fool.

I was in the military 20 plus years and this is an "insult" to our great fighting Americans. I too have chest full of decorations and I wear them proudly, BECAUSE I EARNED THEM!!!!!

It is not that he wore this uniform, he used this uniform at military events, to gain entrance to military funerals and to use is a ruse for employment for government contracts, that is what he is being punished for.
If he only wore it as a costume, no harm done. Yes, it offends me as a vet, but that is not where the law was broken, the law was broken when he lied about his career to for personnal gain.

Five thousand in fines and a year of unsupervised probation? Gee, all the wanna be soldiers will be out there showing off now. They should of put him back in Boot Camp and made him earn each medal he wore.

An appropriate consequence for those of you who feel that self-esteem can be dispensed by coddling McGuinn and similar poseurs would be to have YOUR identity violated.

So for those of you who think this was not big deal. Is it a big deal if I create a diploma from MIT that states I have a Phd and use it get contract work? In that case I would represent something that I am not and gain an income from my the lie. It is wrong period. None of you liberals can make it sound ok. Get your lips off the crack pipe and wake up.

Of course this is against the law. He used the metals to commit fraud to employers. That is a crime. Offense to veterans, an unobserved protected class, should be punished. Besides, if you use the law to shape your ethics, you've got a big problem.

Military Medals? Big deal. Losers giving trinkets to losers. You can get a medal for keeping your stuff nice and neat. The dumb### is the person who is impressed or uses them in a hiring decision.

Being that he did not earn anything on his chest, it is an injustice for those who endured and sacrificed for that cause. By no means do I say this is a small matter. When you see people die, hear people scream in agony and pain, and see grown men cry from the stress and strain of combat and war; how is it okay for someone to misrepresent himself at the cost of others.

Throw his butt in the stockade and let him work it off.

By these baubles, men are led. - Napoleon.

Stumbled on this thread by accident, but... As someone with some personal knowledge of this case, allow me to explain "why we care."

First, we had someone who lied to us. Most people take a dim view of that. If you are not one of those people, I congratulate you for having a thick skin.

Second, Mr. McGuinn presented false claims to gain access to the Board at the Soldiers', Sailors', Marines' & Airmen's Club in Manhattan. As such, he also represented himself to the donors of a 501(c)3 non-profit as person of honor and trust. When we discovered that he was not who we said he was, it became our responsibility to expose him. Had we not done so, our own credibility as an organization would have been tarnished, diminishing our ability to raise funds needed to keep the doors open.

Sadly, we would have welcomed Mr. McGuinn based on his true service in the first place.

Third, the "Stolen Valor Act" is probably only important to those who actually believe that military decorations mean something. If you do not, I invite you to research the criteria for which some of these decorations are awarded. They are not given lightly, and represent a nation's public honoring of deeds that go beyond what we expect of the man on the street. If you do not feel the same way, I only hope that you are not uncomfortable that better men and women than you are serving.

And yes, Napoleon had it right.

--Mark , Manhattan

Mark: Wow... It's good to hear some personal details about this case. This McGuinn is a real piece of work; how embarrassing for him and especially for the people that trusted him and treated him like a comrade and brother when he was really just a fraud.

I also feel bad that he used his unearned medals and faked war stories to get jobs and earn contracts... jobs and contracts that would've gone to someone that was ACTUALLY who they said they were! I'm glad this man is going to be punished, he committed a really rotten, low-down dirty crime.

-Mina

It's amazing how few people have read the U.S. Constitution.Freedom of speech does not entitle you to do anything you want.
It means speech, and it is not all encompassing. The first amendment allows you to criticize the government. It does not allow you to perpetrate fraud, (and for the New York Times, it does not allow you to commit treason by revealing classified programs used to fight terrorism) The U.S. Constitution does not have a separation of church and state clause. It’s not there read it. I dare you. This man is a coward, a cheat and a liberal. He is getting by on the hard work of others. He should be deported, maybe the peoples republic of California

he is a disgrace to people who served in the army over the many years. he should be put away for a very long time.

he used the army uniform and the rank and medals to commit fraud. i think he did more harm to our respected uniform then the medals.bust him.

Seriously now, all you neocons losers claiming only a liberal would let this guy slide....you make me sick. I seem to remember a certain commander-in-chief that strutted across an aircraft carrier while posing in green as though he were a fighter pilot, all on the taxpayers' coin no less. Where were you 'outraged soldiers' then?

But I digress; McGuinn needs to be punished. Liars are liars, thieves are thieves, and neither should be ignored by justice.

Just make this clown go on police call,buff the dayroom,pull c.q. runner and eat mre's for 6 years.That should be his punishment. "the man I marry has got to be, a chairborne ranger with a g.e.d.".

bob-air assault-air cav:

That certain commander-in-chief, was in fact, the commander of the U.S. Military, which was reflected by his uniform. He was a pilot in the Air National Guard as well. Where would the outrage be?

Air Assault? Not my fault. Airborne.

Ya, I had a purple watzit and some big brass thingys, and I threw them out too. Ya, just like you other men here who threw theirs out or keep them in the attic. Ya You believe me right? You are impressed by the fact that I pretend to be above caring about my medals, (which are not fictiously made up by a pathetic loser behind a keyboard.) They really exist. Why would I lie just to impress you? I really had these medals. And Bernie Ward isn't a pedophile.

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..."
To Korinsha: I guess you missed that part of the First Amendment, Huh? Although you are correct, it's not in the Constitution, it's in the Bill of Rights. I have a question for you, though. Why do you assume this dirtbag is a liberal? Do you think they're the only people who commit crimes in this country? Next time, try to stay on point, it would make your arguments much more effective.

What a pathetic moron. Did mommy not give enough love as a child? Go to Canada and insult THEIR war heroes, but not here.

His is not about GWB or anyone other then Louis Lowell McGuinn. The law is that it is illegal to wear a uniform that you have not earned. Yes, if you go dress up in a Marine uniform and pretend you are a Marine (or whatever service) you are breaking the law. If you wear medals you have not earned you are breaking the law. This guy, Louis Lowell McGuinn, used the uniform, the false rank and the unearned medals to gain entrance to events he had no right to be at as well as to use this false information to get jobs and contracts he should not have had. This is fraud. So he could face federal and state charges on this.

Now, for those that say “what does it hurt” I have to guess you have NEVER served your country and have no idea what this person has really done. This man stole others honor and Yes that means something.

He's probably not Black, either.

What a sorry loser...!!!!

His actions disrespect our military personel who fight, and die, for our freedom. I say he does serious jail time!

People have died earning these medals in order to help keep our country free.
What do you mean they dont mean anything?
I dont care if he is liberal, moderate or conservative.
He is a FRAUD and a LIAR and deserves everything he gets for dishonoring the true heroes and earners of medals.

Unless this guy has a twin brother with the same rank. I want to know how he was able to conduct combat training classes on Federal installations.... not only to me but hundreds of other soldiers for years. I am suprise that other soldiers have not come forth. How did he pass security to give classes in Land Navagation,PLDC,Weapons,Ranger Challange and more. Something is not right!

To use a false identity or cerdentials and lies to gain the confidence and trust of others or to obtain financial gain is a serious crime and certainly speaks to the low character and morality of the perpetrator!
Apparently, McGuinn had access to and conducted activities on military bases; apparently, McGuinn fooled military personnel and used their prestige and reputations to obtain lucrative contracts with private companies; apparently, McGuinn was able to move comfortably in circles that he would otherwise not be a part of bacause of his lies and deception.
Of course, there should be outrage.
He compromised military security; he jeopardized careers of personnel that trusted him; and he gained financially from all of his years of deception.
Who is this man? What is his educational background? In this post 911 time, we should be alarmed that our armed services can be so infiltrated and that this man was able to obtain contracts that demanded an expertise that he did not have.

I have been following this now for a couple of months and confused as all hell!
By no means do I condone what McGuinn has done, but this still does not explain how he was able to develop his own training lesson plans and able to conduct, instruct and implement everything in a classroom forum to actual field exercises on such complex subjects as Air Assualt, Pre-Airborne Training, Land Navagation,Demolition, Survial,PLDC,Urban Combat and more. Not to mention live fire exercise of every light and heavy weapon imaginable. May I also add that all was done by the book (AM & FM) This training took over a year for each class in 3-4 day week increments. My point, who trained him? Where and whom did he recieve his training from? No one gets this type of access on a pass or a relationship. I am sure there are hundreds that would attest to this but to afraid to come forth.

I myself after serving several tours in the Mid East feel that I have personaly benifited. I also know of several other officers whose military careers were saved becaused of his intervention.

I and many other were able to go to Airborne Air Assualt School when slots where not available. When the military was failing its reserve and national guard troops in the late eighties and ninities, retention was at an all time low. this man did something about it! There has to be hundreds if not thousands that have benifited from his leadership and training. My point, whatever he did or did not do, someone trained this guy and he performed the task!

The shame of it all is that instead of getting a medal, he is busted for wearing unauthorized medals.

There seems to be so much missing from this story it's almost unbelievable. As they say there are always two sides to every story and somewhere in the middle is the truth.

I have been in the intelligence community for over forty years. This scenario seems right out of the handbook (101). Here is a gentleman who has been dealing with the military for twenty-five years. All of a sudden he has been spotted wearing unauthorized medals. Is this a big deal? Probably just an honest mistake.

I don't personally know the man but have been hearing good things about him from others for years.

Here is the most probable story: rumor has it that he had the goods on a handful of companies that have Government contracts. He was about to blow the whistle. They had to find a way to stop him, destroy his credibility, get friends in the media to fan the flames so no one would listen to him. The intelligence community has been doing this for many years.

...some incredible comments here...to the fellow who lived this lie, all the folks who think this isn't a big deal, I feel some compassion for you...you'll never understand what this is all about;
" That he which hath no stomach to this fight,
Let him depart; his passport shall be made,
And crowns for convoy put into his purse;
We would not die in that man's company"

From what i have heard ad i find very odd is that no one has ever mentioned in his court case that Mcguinn was providing combat training to soldiers for years. And quite effective, from what I hear. I have also heard that he has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for many veteran organazations without any financial gain for himself. Don't believe? Ask around! Most will not talk to outsiders for fear of getting blackballed from the military and vet orgs. Unlike the other SVA cases, there seems to be a unique twist that we are not privy to. Something, just does not add up!

He got off too easy in my opinion. I haven't been in that long, but I still have earned every badge/medal that's been given to me.

-PV2 West

This guy is a looser. I knew him.
When I met him, I think it was 91 or 92
he was a Maj and 3 months latter he was a LTC. BS all the way with his Nam stories, he was never there.