Accused Military Fake Steven Burton Charged: Man Allegedly Wore Unearned medals To Class Reunion

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. — A Palm Springs man who was never in the military has been charged with wearing the Navy's highest honor.

Federal prosecutors in Los Angeles say 39-year-old Steven Burton was photographed wearing the Navy Cross along with the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart and other medals.

The U.S. attorney's office said Wednesday that a Navy commander attending her high school reunion noticed Burton wearing a Marine uniform with the medals and contacted the FBI.

Authorities say Burton claimed in Internet postings that he'd served in Afghanistan and Iraq. He's expected to surrender Thursday to face a charge of unauthorized wearing of military medals and could face up to a year in federal prison if convicted.

There was no telephone listing for a Steven Burton in Palm Springs.