President Barack Obama announced during his speech to the VFW in Reno that the Pentagon will launch its online database of military medal winners on Wednesday.
ABC News quotes the president as saying:
"It may no longer be a crime for con artists to pass themselves off as heroes. But one thing is certain: It is contemptible.
"So this week we will launch a new Web site, a living memorial, so the American people can see who's been awarded our nation's highest honors. Because no American hero should ever have their valor stolen."
An Obama administration official told the Stars and Stripes:
[R]ecord keepers from each military branch have been compiling awards records since the Supreme Court last month struck down the federal Stolen Valor Act, arguing that the punishments for those lying about military medals infringed on free speech.
The web address for the new site will be valor.defense.gov .
