🏛️ Spring Conference 2026 • Mar 5–7 • Hampton Inn, Lake Havasu City⚓ Hosted by Lake Havasu City Detachment #757📋 Conference Agenda now available — View Events Page🎖️ State Convention: June 2026 • Hosted by Old Breed Detachment📞 Questions? Contact the Department🏛️ Spring Conference 2026 • Mar 5–7 • Hampton Inn, Lake Havasu City⚓ Hosted by Lake Havasu City Detachment #757📋 Conference Agenda now available — View Events Page🎖️ State Convention: June 2026 • Hosted by Old Breed Detachment📞 Questions? Contact the Department
Stolen Valor is the act of falsely claiming military service, awards, or rank — a federal crime and a direct insult to every man and woman who honorably served. The Marine Corps League Department of Arizona is committed to exposing fraud and protecting the integrity of our Corps.
Fraudsters who falsely claim Marine Corps service — or inflate their actual service record with fabricated awards and rank — not only dishonor those who earned those distinctions through sacrifice, but they actively deceive communities, organizations, and in some cases exploit veteran benefits and membership in organizations like the MCL.
Below is a documented case involving a fake Marine SgtMaj operating in Arizona, followed by a summary of the federal law that makes such fraud a criminal offense.
🔎 Documented Case — Arizona
Billy Zinnerman — Fake Sergeant Major
Zinnerman posing in fraudulent SgtMaj dress bluesFraudulent DD-214 submitted for MCL membership
📄Actual Service: Served in the Marines for 3 years, 1977–1980. Discharged as an E-2.
🚫Discharge Status:Under Other Than Honorable Conditions — Narrative Reason: Misconduct — Frequent Involvement
🏢National Personnel Records Center:“There is no record of service after his discharge in 1980.”
⚠False Claims (12+ years): Claimed to be a Retired Marine Sergeant Major having earned the Purple Heart, Bronze Star with Valor Device, and Combat Action Ribbon, among other awards.
H.R. 258 — Public Law No. 113-12 — Enacted June 3, 2013
Amends the federal criminal code to subject to a fine, imprisonment for not more than one year, or both, any individual who — with intent to obtain money, property, or other tangible benefit — fraudulently claims to be a recipient of any of the following awards:
Medal of Honor
Distinguished Service Cross
Navy Cross
Air Force Cross
Silver Star
Purple Heart
Combat Infantryman’s Badge
Combat Action Badge
Combat Medical Badge
Combat Action Ribbon
Combat Action Medal
Any authorized replacement or duplicate medal
If you suspect Stolen Valor within a detachment or at a public event, document what you observe and report it through your chain of command or directly to the Department. Protecting the honor of those who served is everyone’s responsibility.
