How to spot a Phony SEAL

[OldSwabbie]

KaosDad is right.. everything is fair game except the Medal of Honor. That one can land you in the slammer for even posessing it if its not awarded to you or someone in your family thats passed on. I busted that one turd who bought an entire uniform with just about everything on it except the important stuff.

As far as phoney SEALS.. again.. if you guys happen to run into someone thats claiming SEAL status (not Boat guys) and something isnt right .. just send me a PM and Ill get back with you quickly with a Yes or NO. I work with a number of SEAL authenticators. When we all work to expose these frauds - no matter who they are claiming to be it helps ensure the integrity of all the communities.

[Sgt Leprechaun]

Quote:

Originally Posted by KaosDad The only Medal or device that is expressly prohibited from being sold or traded is the MOH or anything that LOOKS like a MOH, the ribbon or rosette. You can go overseas and buy original & reproduction MsOH, but they cannot be legally brought into the US. Now, the SVA is rather cloudy on all other medals and some states & localities take it to the extreme. However, collectors are covered in the SVA. There is a thriving business of medal selling on e-Bay except for the PH, MOH & Bronze Star. All else is fair game. If you try to purchase medals at the top of the order of perecedence (Navy Cross) be prepared to present proof that you are entitled to it (IF the dealer is reputable - want a Navy Cross? I'll get you one at the next gun show.) Insignia can be had from many, many sources and, yes, they sell the same manifacturer they sell at the PX. Uniforms? No problemo! Go to your local GoodWill, thrift store and scour the yard and estate sales. Or, just ask the serviceman yourself. Here is a partial listing of uniforms in a collector's posession: General George Decker, ACS General Bernard Rogers, ACS General Jones, JCS General Colin Powell, CJCS General Weymand, ACS General Earle Wheeler, CJCS Sadly - the Brevet is not immune. I know of a couple in private collector's hands and e-Bay is selling a couple really bad knockoff medals & drapes. Oh, you want a blank certificate you say? We can do that!

Mostly correct! I've been a military collector for over 30 years, and it's not illegal to buy ANY medal nowadays, except the MOH. (Which is stupid as hell IMO, since it can be legally sold overseas to anyone who wants one). It's NOT illegal to buy, sell, trade, or otherwise obtain ANY other decoration, including the Navy Cross, DSC, etc. It IS illegal to wear them (or any other military device, ribbon, badge, etc) if you did not lawfully earn them. It's ALSO illegal to CLAIM to have earned them, even if you are not wearing them.

Ebay, like ebay always does, oversteps in the 'caution' area and has eliminated the Purple Heart from sale (which is stupid as hell). Consequently, named PH's have gone up considerably in value. Un named vintage examples can be had for approximately 50 dollars or so, depending on the era they were issued. (I was lucky enough to get a mint in box 1969 dated PH last week for the whopping sum of 12 dollars at an auction. Un named).