Thank you for your service in Vietnam.
What we are discussing here is someone who wears an unauthorized ribbon in order to impress people. They are not claiming to be a war veteran to gain benefits other than to...maybe...pick up a bar floozy.
Does the freedom of speech give people the right to lie? I say yes. That’s reprehensible but protected speech.
Look, if someone wants to lie about his/her service record verbally, so be it. However, if they wish to wear a non-awarded medal, which requires a federal authorization, or claim such on an application of some sort, they should be subject to prosecution. I view this as the same sort of thing as not having a valid drivers license.
I don’t see this as a free speech issue at all.
Thank you.