NC man charged with posing as Marine officer

WILMINGTON, N.C. — A man who pleaded guilty last year to altering an identification card after he was spotted in the uniform of a three-star Marine general has been charged again with posing as a highly decorated Marine officer.

Sixty-seven-year-old Michael Hamilton of Richlands was charged last week with wearing a Marine colonel’s uniform and three counts of wearing medals, including two Navy Crosses, the second highest award for valor.

Hamilton was photographed wearing the uniform and medals at Jacksonville’s Vietnam Memorial during a military recognition day ceremony last month.

It is a federal offense to claim or wear military decorations and carries punishment of up to one year in prison and a fine.

Hamilton is to appear in federal court next month. It’s not immediately clear if he has a lawyer.

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