Man sent to jail for impersonating Vietnam War hero

HOUSTON -- An ex-Marine who pretended to be a Vietnam War hero was sentenced to eight months in prison for altering military identification documents and wearing a warrant officer's uniform adorned with medals he didn't earn.

Paul Alan White, 47, of Houston was ordered Friday to pay more than $5,000 in fines and spend eight months in prison by U.S. District Judge Sim Lake.

White admitted to have illegally worn a warrant officer uniform adorned with the Navy Cross, the Silver Star and the Purple Heart. Prosecutors say he repeatedly wore the uniform in 2000 and 2001 at various speaking engagements where he would recount combat experiences in Vietnam.

The Navy Cross is second only to the Medal of Honor as the Navy's highest honor for heroism. The Silver Star is awarded for bravery in combat, and the Purple Heart is awarded for wounds received in combat.

White was in the Marines from 1973 to 1976, but prosecutors say his records show he never achieved a rank higher than sergeant and did not serve in Vietnam or in combat. He has a federal conviction for impersonating a CIA agent.