Honors Database

DAILY DOT COM (WALA) - The Pentagon has launched a comprehensive database containing the names of combat valor award recipients since September 11, 2001.  The database is an effort to allow the public to officially see if a person received a specific award for valor in combat.

Recently, there have been several reports of people claiming to be the recipient of prestigious awards they did not get. 

It is morally wrong but not illegal.  The Supreme Court recently struck down a federal law making it a crime to falsely claim military medals earned --citing freedom of speech.

"You're all aware that free speech allows someone to lie about awards," Defense Secretary Leon Panetta told a House panel at a joint hearing of the House Armed Services Committee and the House Veterans Affairs Committee on Wednesday.

"Free speech is one thing but dishonoring those on the battle field is something else," he said.

The website is one way to decipher the truth.  It will contain the names of recipients of the Medal of Honor through the Silver Star.  The site indicates it is still "under development."  Currently, it only contains listings for Medal of Honor recipients.

Eventually, the Department of Defense expects to have  list of valor medal recipients prior to September 11.