DALLAS R. RICKER
U.S. Department of Justice

Alice H. Martin
United States Attorney
Northern District of Alabama
1801 Fourth Avenue North
Birmingham, Alabama 35203
Telephone (205) 244-2001
Fax (205) 244-2171
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 25, 2004
www.usdoj.gov/usao/aln

 

CRIMINAL INFORMATION FILED AGAINST MARINE CORPS VETERAN FOR WEARING AN UNAUTHORIZED DECORATION FOR VALOR

BIRMINGHAM, AL - Alice H. Martin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama and Carmen S. Adams, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, announce that a criminal information was filed today against DALLAS R. RICKER, 69, of Hoover, Alabama. Filed concurrent with the information is an agreement wherein RICKER has agreed to enter a plea of guilty at a later date.

According to U.S. Attorney Alice H. Martin, the information charges that RICKER, a retired Marine, wore a Navy Cross medal that he had not been awarded, a violation of federal law. The Navy Cross is the nation's second highest award for valor. RICKER was chairman of the Marine Honor Society, a non-profit organization that recognizes military leaders and heroes. An investigation was initiated by the FBI when RICKER wore the medal at a function attended by legitimate recipients of military decorations.

U.S. Attorney Alice H. Martin stated, "Part of honoring our military heroes is protecting the integrity of the award system that recognizes them. In these times, thousands of service members are engaged in missions which expose them to continuous danger and we are particularly mindful of their sacrifice. Those who violate the law by wearing decorations which they have not earned may expect to be prosecuted."

The guilty plea to the charges contained in the information will be scheduled for a later date. The Class B misdemeanor offense carries a maximum sentence of six (6) months and a fine of up to $10,000.

This case is being investigated by Special Agents Brian J. Hayes and Harold S. Keeler of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Assistant United States Attorney Matt Hart is prosecuting the case.



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Boston Herald 
26, March 2004.
 
Boston Herald
GFbyline

By TOM FARMER   

 An Alabama man who was exposed by former Marines from Boston as a fraudulent recipient of the nation's second-highest  decoration for military heroism agreed to plead guilty yesterday and faces up to six months in federal prison.

Dallas Ricker, 69, a retired Marine Corps sergeant who claimed to be  a recipient of the Navy Cross, was outed as a fraud by the former Boston Marines and several Medal of Honor recipients following an event in Washington, D.C., last summer to honor two high-ranking Marine generals.

``People would like to see him go to jail,'' said Daniel Sullivan, a  retired Boston cop and Navy Cross recipient who helped expose Ricker. ``For anybody who thinks this is a victimless crime, take a walk in Arlington National Cemtery and there are the victims.''
Ricker, who chaired a non-profit organization called the Marine Honors Society, raised the suspicion of the MOH recipients who he invited to the event when he reneged on promises he had made to the nation's most revered military heroes. 

Several Boston Marines, including Sullivan, looked into Ricker's background and forwarded their suspicions to the FBI.  A federal criminal information was filed against  Ricker in Alabama along with his agreement to plead guilty at a later date. He also faces a $10,000 fine. 

 

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