Ex-Pfc. Accused of Impersonating General
The FBI charged 44-year-old Michael P. McManus with five federal misdemeanors, accusing him of unlawfully wearing an unauthorized uniform embellished with some of the U.S. military's most distinguished combat medals.
"The kicker was the Soldier's Medal; Patton didn't have it," said Doug Sterner, a historian who tracks military honors and "poser" cases. "There's no comparison. This guy isn't worthy to lick the dust off George Patton's boots."
Real Army rank was PFC
Federal officials said McManus was photographed at a Dec. 12 public gathering at the George R. Brown Convention celebrating Annise Parker's mayoral victory.
Authorities said McManus was wearing the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, Bronze Star and a Purple Heart, as well as celebrated insignia for pilots and two British military medals.
Officials would not say whether McManus had ever claimed to be a highly decorated U.S. Army general, or if he simply wore the embellished uniform.
McManus, a former private first class who served in the U.S. Army from 1984 to 1987, faces a maximum punishment of three years in federal prison and a fine of up to $120,000.
He is one of about 50 people charged under the 2006 Stolen Valor Act, which makes it a federal crime to falsely claim to have received a medal from the military, regardless of whether the accused does not try to profit from the deception.
Sterner, however, estimates that "tens and tens of thousands" of military imposters are spread about the country. Authentic medals can be legally purchased at military surplus stores.
Web site lists real heroes
Some do it for attention, while others use their claimed status to defraud others, said Sterner, who maintains a Web site that features a searchable database listing names of recipients of high honors.
One man bilked a Veterans Affairs program out of huge sums of money, while a woman received some $40,000 in tuition after telling employees at her university that she was an Air Force pilot flying in Iraq on weekends.
"The vast majority are never even charged or even reported in media," Sterner said. "Those that are usually get suspended sentences."
Sterner recalled only one case where the defendant served time.
One man who was sentenced to community service subsequently forged the document showing he completed his community service.
McManus' case comes at a time when federal courts currently hearing similar cases are trying to decide whether the First Amendment protects people who lie about being famous military heroes.
