Palm Springs man charged with wearing unauthorized military medals to surrender

A Palm Springs man who has never served in the military is expected to surrender to authorities Thursday to face charges of wearing military medals he did not earn, authorities said today.

Steve Burton, 39, has agreed to surrender at the U.S. District Court in Riverside. He was charged Friday by federal prosecutors in L.A. with the unauthorized wearing of military medals after he was allegedly seen and photographed wearing military uniforms and decorations.

The FBI was contacted by a Navy commander after she attended her high school reunion and saw Burton wearing a Marine Corps uniform displaying several medals, including the Navy Cross, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart and others, according to an affidavit filed in United States District Court.

The Navy Cross is the highest medal the Navy awards and is the second highest award given for valor, second only to the Medal of Honor.

Suspicious, the commander asked to be photographed with Burton. The photo was used in the investigation. The FBI said it also found that Burton had made Internet postings about being a Marine and had written about his “combat experience” as well as his “service” in Afghanistan and Iraq. He also allegedly posted a picture of himself standing on a beach at Coronado wearing a Marine dress uniform with three rows of medals.

The misdemeanor offense of unauthorized wearing of military medals carries a statutory maximum penalty of one year in federal prison.

-- Baxter Holmes

Photo: Steve Burton posing at Coronado beach. Credit: U.S. District Court.

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Comments

[MM stuck in L.A.]

I think this impostor should be put in a room full of real Marines and let him explain himself to them. I guarantee he won't leave the room in one piece.

[sailbyme]

His punishment should be that he be sent to serve and be put in harms way. I'd bet he would take the year in custody.

[masimons]

Ok, the guy is an idiot, convict him, but forget any prison time, not worth the money.

[Sean B]

That's a preposterous ratio of medals (above left pocket) to ribbons (above right pocket).

For punishment, they should turn him loose in a bar in Oceanside just after payday after announcing his transgressions to the assembled Marines. Let them impose a suitable punishment.

[SeanBoy]

I guess everyone wants to be a hero.

[lwps]

Pitiful.

[BruceFromHB]

The absolute worst type of chicken hawk. I sincerely hope that your cellmates will give you a proper education.

[Spence]

Good Story. Good Catch. These cowards need to understand that those medals have meaning, and the uniform has to be earned. Perhaps this idiot will pull his head out during his way too brief stay in the gray bar hotel.

[TheBigPicture]

What an idiot...he needs some jail time...

[Shawn V.]

You can count this coward in war, but not on the battle field.

[WS]

1 year in prison? I say they enlist him and go make him EARN those medals :)

Probably not good enough to qualify as a Marine, but the Army will do :)

[MJ]

C'mon, don't the Feds have better things to do - like go after drug dealers, smugglers, and real scam artists? I don't see anything here that this guy was trying to use the fake credentials to bilk money or things from people. Sounds more like he may be a little "touched" in need of some psych help.

[Peter323]

The only people he was trying to dupe (to get admiration from) were the sort of people who would enjoy seeing him beat up for wearing medals not earned (see comments above), so I don't see what harm he did.

[Donuts2$'s]

I was thinking like the last guy. I think he should be required to pay for 1 yr. psycho-therapy; when we say "put'em in jail", people forget we pay for these idiots. He certainly is a disgrace. I just hope he didn't get laid, because of it. If he did, the woman should be able to sue for infliction of the emotional harm she'll be suffering from the PTS, after seeing all this in the media; that is, if he got laid because of it. That's what we need to find out.

[El Guapo de la cuidad de los angeles]

Hang him.

[kb]

the punishment for these type of crimes should simply be military service, if he's that enthusiastic about the military, then make him serve

[jack webb]

OH MY GOD! WHAT A LOSER!

[pj]

Some guys will do anything to get a date. Loser!

[Giarc66]

I couldn't agree any more than with "MJ" For those others who want to hang him need to chill out on the over dramatic patriotism. You need to be more concerned about our own law enforcement wearing uniforms "legally" that are corrupt and criminal!

[Dave]

Dress him up in combat gear, put a gun in his hand and drop him behind the line in Afghanistan

[Ca Commentor]

For this I waste my tax dollars. Amazing.

[hkhamm]

What!? One year in prison for a costume? Why in the world is someone dressing up in a costume against the law? This man hasn't hurt anyone. He is being accused of dressing up and playing pretend? Give him a break. I really don't understand what he did wrong and why everyone is so upset.

[AA]

I agree with MJ. Don't the feds have something better to do?

[Daniel]

where did he get the medals?

[RichBlume]

Understood that this person found a persona to hide under because he thinks his real life isn't as exciting. But put him in jail and make US pay for his room and board? Or worse, make him enlist? That implies that joining the Armed Services is a punitive measure, or worse, the military is a haven for Section 8s like Mr. Wannnabe here. Now that would be a disgrace to the men and women of our Armed Forces. How about we just fine him and/or have him do community work, like picking up litter in Oceanside? Then let's move on to real news, instead of giving losers like this their fifteen minutes of fame.

[Dana]

Probation and a fine will be what he gets. I don't want to pay for some insecure man to sit in a Federal prison for 85% of his sentence. Want to teach him a lesson? Make him go back on Facebook or wherever he is posting and recant ALL his statements and pics. Then fine him!

[Lisa]

I wonder if this is the same guy I witnessed in Arcadia around opening day of Oak Tree starting a fight at a local bar ... The thing is this guy was claiming Air Force and had all kinds of bars on him the fight was broken up by guys in the currently in the military and they thought something was very odd about this guy .

[Oh please]

His classmate has nothing better to do? Just tell him he's a poseur and get on with it. She had the FBI investigating him? This woman needs to get a life.

[capanegra]

Give the guy a break. Why be so uptight people? As it is the guy probably has serious mental issues.

[Kevin]

And to think, he probably paid over $500 to buy 21 medals and have them mounted... Idiot...

[R. Robertson]

There are some posters here that don't seem to think this is a big deal. Please do some research and find out what's involved in EARNING any of these medals. Just like the Medal of Honor, many of the recipients of the Navy Cross lost their lives to save their fellow soldiers/sailors. This type of valor and sacrifice is truly rare.

Wearing the medals and military uniform that he didn't earn is pretty much the same thing as spitting in the faces of the true recipients of the medals who died or were wounded in battle.

[billy bob]

Who cares?

[S]

Why is this a crime, exactly?

[as American as you can get]

Aren't there bigger things in the world to worry about than somebody wearing a uniform and some metals????????
What a waste of taxpayers money!!!!!!

[DS]

Having served in the military myself, I am saddened by the display of unearned recognition of valor, let alone wearing of the uniform. This guy has been dishonored publicly. As much as it turns my stomach to see this fool, someone we called a 'PX Hero', it would piss me off even more to see my tax dollars clothe, feed and shelter him for a year. He's a disgrace, he's been publicly shamed and will face judgement on his dishonor in the next life. Debt paid - let's move on to the serial rapists, child molesters and national security issues at hand.

To the person who commented about the uniform being a 'costume', let's get some respect for the uniform. Serving in the military these days is voluntary, and those men and women are putting themselves in harm's way to make sure you have the right (and more importantly CONTINUE TO HAVE THE RIGHT) to call what they wear each day, with pride mind you, a 'costume' without fear of retaliation and persecution from the government. Your comment has touched a nerve far deeper in me than the subject of this news story! Costume, really? I pray we never need these 'costumed' heros on our home soil...

[sham]

pointless... you people love being bothered by the little things others do in their lives. people are so picky and love controling others and what they do. get a life humans

[Mark]

What about every actor who ever wore a medal in a film or lets say you wear your dads old uniform and medals to a costume party?

Yes the guy is a jerk....rather than put him in prison why not make him clean the diapers of guys at the VA hospital who are in wheel chairs from the last cycle of wars

[Justin]

The guy was trying to get laid.

Being busted with his lame attempt should be his only penalty for this, granted it was stupid but its not like he was dressing up as a cop and pulling people over.

He was trying to play the hero card and get some snatch.

it was a failed attempt.

big deal, move on. obviously this guy is either very horny and incapable of getting laid, or just a serious liar. either way. harmless

[Jake]

This person has been outed as an imposter. I think the story hitting the internet is punishment enough. Though I wouldn't mind a few Marines have a "pep" talk with him.

[Dreadnought]

WHAT A TOTAL, UTTER LOSER!

After a 1 year prison sentence, I suggest he then be required to perform 2 years of community service painting barracks and cleaning latrines at Camp Pendleton all the while being required to wear a yellow T-Shirt printed with - "I LIED ABOUT BEING A MARINE" on the front and back.

[malkounis]

Give me a break, what about the real soldier who killed 13 people, He was wearing a uniform and medals. This guy is only hurting himself and the self-righteous who think this is some major crime. I served my country and I can care less what someone else does. The military should have been investigating the ahole who killed our own soldiers while wearing a uniform, not some clown pretending to be a hero. You people need to put your priorities in order. For Christ sake they can burn an american flag and not go to jail.!!

[Ted Stanley]

I've seen this before I'm sure. I just can't remember who... Oh wait wasn't it John Wayne.
He used to wear lots of medals I remember. Did he ever get charged for it?

[ZeroX]

This soldier is disgrace and dishonor. A false hero, he should be dishonorable discharge. Right now!
He did not earn this medals he cheat.

[MJ]

R. Robertson - let's get some perspective here. No one is spitting in anyone's face or diminishing the honor of our heroes. Why get in a tizzy because some nutcase is playing pretend? Would you get upset if the uniform and medals were worn on Halloween? In CA it is not uncommon to see people dressing up on days outside of Halloween, playing out their own Walter Mitty fantasies - and we dismiss them as kooks. Was anyone materially injured by him? It is a terrible waste of taxpayer dollars to prosecute someone that likely just needs some psychiatric attention. Really!

[Han]

Wearing the medals and military uniform that he didn't earn is pretty much the same thing as spitting in the faces of the true recipients of the medals who died or were wounded in battle.

****

No sir, it isn't. Medals, no matter how they are earned, are mere baubles. They mean nothing. If the cause you fought for wasn't worth fighting for without being rewarded with a shiny new button then it wasn't worth fighting for even for an entire wardrobe of brass salad.

After re-introducing various medals, ranks, titles, etc, Napoleon remarked, "By such toys are men ruled." Quit being so shallow.

[maheanuu]

Damn, I am so mad I left out the URL

http://www.nytimes.com/1996/05/18/us/admiral-in-suicide-note-apologized-to-my-sailors.html

[Concerned Parent]

How does Hollywood do it? Is there a 'waiver' for Tom Cruise to wear medals he could never in a million years earn? BTW, one look at this guy and you know he's 5150. He prob tried to join up and was turned down. . .

[Dana]

I served in the United States Marine Corp from 1976 to 1980. For those that call the uniform a "costume" clearly you have no concept of what it takes to become a Marine. If you've seen Full Metal Jacket that's the bootcamp that I went through. For those that say, what's the harm? This person misrepresented himself as having earned the medals which desecrates all who served and showed the courage and valor to actually earn the medals. Veteran's Day is celebrated in remembrance of those that served and those that made the ultimate sacrifice. So once again, it's not a "costume" it's a UNIFORM and one that I wore proudly for 4 years after I earned the priviledge.

[MarineGirlsMom]

My daughter nearly had her feet amputated trying to earn her FIRST ribbon.
Give him to HER. LOL. No need to give him to the men. Imagine how embarrassed he'd be to take a beating by a 20-year-old, 5'4", 125lb. pink glitter Marine! OOH RAH!
The Fewer, The Prouder-- The Female Marines!

[MarineGirlsMom]

Yet another reason it should be illegal to sell, rent, trade or otherwise transfer your uniforms and honors. Like "Oscars", they should revert to the [military branch] from whence they came, who should retain rights over them.

[Lee Johnson]

How ridiculous. As a veteran (Thailand, 1975-76), it is easy and truthful to state that these medals have ZERO value or merit. All of the heart-swelling pride of service and all... it's unmitigated hogwash. Wounded veterans are poorly treated or untreated, those with mental traumas remain untreated, we have tens of thousands of homeless veterans from VIETNAM, let alone first Gulf war, we have soldiers losing arms and legs being told they have to pay for meals, and they have to return their re-enlistment bonuses. Let this fella wear all the tin crap on his chest that it pleases him to wear. Better you should focus on learning how and why your millionaire Senators and your Representatives have INFINITELY better health care than the men and women who serve with honor. Maybe the jerk who is wasting government money prosecuting this misbegotten moron will be caught in an airport bathroom with a wide stance. How ashamed I am of being American at this time in history.

[Derry Canfield]

There you go, just let Marines break all the bones of someone who is clearly suffering from mental illness. Shall we lobotomize those who suffer autism? I agree that tin medals have no value in a nation that lets the most helpless people suffer and suffer and suffer under the yoke of greed and corruption. On the bright side, no nation has ever lasted a generation beyond the point where all the money began rolling uphill, rather than down. That means our grandchildren will get to build, perhaps, a better country, 'cause this one is no longer the pride and joy of the world. Why do millionaires get free insurance, anyway? Make this idiot gentleman scrub naval latrines or something else that fits the "crime." Crime? Wait a second; it's a federal crime to play pretend with a bunch of useless medals? How about spending the money it cost to prosecute him on feeding and sheltering some homeless veterans, you useless creatures?

[RichBlume]

"Wearing the medals and military uniform that he didn't earn is pretty much the same thing as spitting in the faces of the true recipients of the medals who died or were wounded in battle."
Really? Well,in that case, why don't we take him to the local VFW and have old heroes spit at him?

[D-rail]

I think that in a way it's funny...How could this guy expect people to believe him?..He seems like that kid that got picked on in school. What a dufus!

[Shaun Mason]

He should be made to serve time in a rehab hospital helping veteran amputees, PTSD, and brain injury victims. There are people who left pieces of themselves in Iraq and Afghanistan, mentally and physically, that they will never retrieve. Let him spend some time with those vets, they are the ones he has made a mockery of. I think the people who have posted that they don't see why this is a big deal should also spend some time helping the wounded, or perhaps talking with some service widows. Often medals like the Navy Cross are given posthumously.

[Ronald S. Clark]

I'm a vet who'll attempt to translate this so the more liberal folks get it. Let's say some jerk shows up at a anti-war protest - claiming to be Abbie Hoffman's grandson - and burns a fake draft card. Wouldn't that piss you off?

[Brian Hickman]

This guy deserves the punishment he gets. I can see that majority of the people posting on here have never served in the armed forces at all. They don't know the meaning of these medals. This man is a fake and he should do time behind bars for fraud. He is spiting on the faces of every man and woman who has ever served in the United States Armed Forces. The people who think that this is not a big deal are a bunch of morons who need to shut up.

[vb]

times have indeed changed. so many posters don't see the offense committed by this man playing 'dress up.' if this was 1944 the public response would be different. but the reasons don't change, this guy never served and its a huge insult to our troops putting their lives in daily harm. i assume most of the posters who don't take this seriously have relatives or friends in battle.

[vb]

i assume most of the posters who don't take this seriously DON't have relatives or friends in battle.

[BJ]

I agree the guy is an idiot. He obviously has some issues. But, is this really worth the FBI's time? And if stupidity has become a crime, we'd better start building some more prisons.

[S..]

I think REAL MARINES can spot another REAL MARINE...we do make ourselves so predictable, ya know!!! This guys, what a douche bag....c'mon, he spent so much to make an idiot out of himslef....now we have to pay more for his idiotic decisions...LOSER....i guess those who dont know anything about what it means to earns this uniforms, well guess what maybe you should have joined our beloved MARINE CORPS....Hope he has fun getting when the rest of the fellows in prison....his damage will pay off...lol...my advice to him..."keep it sinched"..lol