SAN FRANCISCO — The Ninth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals — which held last year that lying verbally or in writing about military honors is protected speech — heard arguments today on whether wearing an unearned service decoration is similarly shielded by the First Amendment.
In a new challenge to the Stolen Valor Act, an Air Force veteran is asking the court to junk the provision that makes it a crime to wear a medal without “authorization.” David Perelman was convicted of breaking the law for wearing a Purple Heart he did not earn.
