The Pentagon went live today with a website intended to thwart phony or wannabe heroes by listing recipients of the nation's highest awards for valor.
Starting with Medal of Honor recipients since 9/11, the Military Awards for Valor -- Top 3 site will eventually expand to include the names of those who earned the Distinguished Service Cross -- awarded by the Army -- the Navy Cross and Air Force Cross, and the Silver Star, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta told lawmakers today during a joint session of the House Armed Services and Veterans Affairs committees.
The Pentagon decided to launch the site after the Supreme Court earlier this month struck down the Stolen Valor Act, a law that made it a crime to falsely claim military service or military awards.
"Free speech is one thing, but dishonoring those who were honored for service on the battlefield is another," Panetta said.
![](http://images04.military.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail_large/public/2024-11/1time%20cher%20uss%20missouri%201200.jpg?itok=qi9yyMAM "Cher's more formal look in her 1989 music video, "If I Could Turn Back Time," filmed aboard the battleship USS Missouri. (Criteron Studios)")
