'War Hero' Accused of Stolen Valor Bought Medals Online: Feds

On Memorial Day, the nation honors those who served in our country's military, often with special honors for the wounded or with

medals

for bravery, so it's sickening to think that someone who claims to have been a brave member of our army was not Lisa. Guerrero reports on a woman suspected of doing just that. My name is Sarah Cavanaugh and I served in the United States Marine Corps from 2007 to 2016. As Corporal Sarah Jane Kavanagh tells it, she earned a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star with a V for Valor. I received her Purple Heart for her actions in Afghanistan, from presenting awards to acting as mistress of ceremonies.

It is truly an honor to be a part of this. She certainly looks like a real war

hero

. She was even honored at a dedication ceremony to commemorate the Opening of a Purple Heart Trail in Rhode Island when you are awarded a Purple Heart that day will change your life forever. The purple heart she wears is only presented to service members who have been wounded in combat or awarded posthumously to those who have achieved success. final sacrifice, but there is one small problem, the marines tell us that there is no record of her ever serving in the military let alone earning all those

medals

, it was absolutely incredulous, it was incredible, these veterans are the real deal, we were all really surprised, it is also heartbreaking.

They say they first met her at the local vfw in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, where she once served as post commander. I am the commander of post 152 in the city. Did you believe her story? She knew and said things that only Maureen should know period, it was really a catch me if you can write a scenario where she fooled everyone in her life for over five years, so woman to woman how does that make you feel? this? It's like the honor of your service has been taken away from you and it almost feels like people are saying "fine" to me.

It's

stolen

value, it's even a big problem. I said I don't know if her spouse intended to have another whole family and you just found out that would be a big problem. It's like living a complete lie and David Ainsley is a true purple heart recipient. winning him over the wounds she suffered in Iraq there was a sense of betrayal on a personal level he says she told them she was part of an elite female engagement team like this informed me about various aspects of her service that she was in Afghanistan that she was part of a fat or female combat team who was wounded in combat, he says she told him that her courage under fire also earned her a bronze star with a special V-shaped insignia for trying to save the life of a fellow sailor killed in action.

The star with a V is not something to be taken lightly, it is the fourth highest military decoration awarded for meritorious acts of

hero

ism in combat, and on top of that, he claimed he had cancer, that's right, they say he told them he developed breast cancer. lung in stage four from inhaling harmful substances. particles when her car hit a bomb like this one in Afghanistan, making her eligible to receive thousands of dollars in charitable donations that prosecutors say she used to pay for her mortgage groceries and even a gym membership, so, How did your fantasy world as a war hero emerge? she finally broke down i think she's a terrible person army veteran chelsea simoni is a registered nurse who works with veterans with cancer says she got suspicious and reported her after hearing kavanaugh was collecting donations many donations let me ask for help without feeling bad for needing them , federal investigators say that to further the elaborate ruse, she even stole and forged official documents she obtained here while working at the VA from real veterans and then passed them off as her own today Chelsea breaks down in tears, says greed of Kavanaugh had no limits.

Calling what he did beyond horrible I'm very angry about it I'm just very frustrated you can see by my hands I'm very frustrated our producer charlie mcleravey tried to talk to his miss kavanagh vets we talked to we call you a phony and a fraud you got something to say about that, did you really earn a purple heart? The pseudo-soldier who once posed proudly and now hides her face from her. You

bought

that purple heart

online

. It isn't true? She left. Tracy Brown Green spent more than 20 years in the military. She served in Iraq and Afghanistan and is among a small group of female veterans who received a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star.

I got a purple heart because I was injured, but guess what I have people who didn't come back. They are in Arlington Cemetery and Cemeteries, so for you to say you receive this, you have no idea what it takes to receive the purple heart. What would you say to Sarah Cavanaugh today? I hope she gets the help she needs, but I hope she pays and is. prosecuted with the full weight of the law, how can this shame be done? Honestly, it's the biggest form of disrespect I can think of. Kavanaugh has pleaded not guilty to four felonies, including identity theft.