Sentence Handed Down in First “Stolen Valor” Case

NEW YORK (AP) _ A Vietnam veteran who acknowledged wearing military medals he never earned has been sentenced to 100 hours of community service.

Louis McGuinn told a Manhattan judge Wednesday that he now realizes what he did was wrong. McGuinn said the result has been "tremendous hardship" for him and his family and friends.

McGuinn admitted in December he wore a Purple Heart, the Silver Star and the Distinguished Service Cross, among other medals he didn't deserve. He also claimed to be a retired lieutenant colonel, though he was discharged from the Army as a private in 1968.

The Queens man was prosecuted under the Stolen Valor Act, which took effect in January 2007.

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