Nov. 11, 2009
(AP) PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (AP) - A Palm Springs man who was never in the military has been charged with wearing the Navy's highest honor.Calif. Man Charged With Wearing Unearned Medals
California Man Charged With Wearing Navy Cross, Other Medals He Didn't Earn
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.
There was no telephone listing for a Steven Burton in Palm Springs.
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