|
Just in case you need proof that some people have no shame..............
Theft strikes blow to Yorktown
Museum says medals have sentimental value
BY PHILLIP CASTON
Of The Post and Courier Staff
MOUNT PLEASANT--Tourists visiting the Yorktown aircraft carrier at Patriots Point are encouraged to take home a variety of souvenirs to remember their visit.
Sometime between Sunday night and Monday morning, a thief took some collectibles that aren't offered in the gift shop -- seven Medals of Honor.
The Medals of Honor were stolen from the Yorktown's Medal of Honor museum at Patriots Point, and the Mount Pleasant Police Department and FBI are asking for the public's help in finding them. The medals, some of which were donated by widows of the honored servicemen, are thought to have been stolen sometime between 7:30 p.m. Sunday and 7:30 a.m. Monday, according to police.
David Burnette, executive director of Patriots Point, said the theft is a "disgusting action considering what it takes to receive a Medal of Honor. ... Whoever took them doesn't realize how important it is to have them here and on display.
"They are too emotionally and philosophically important."
One of the medals dates back to the Civil War, the first military conflict in which the Medal of Honor was awarded.
About 7:30 a.m. Monday, a custodian noticed the large glass case that held the medals had been broken into and that the medals were missing, according to Burnette. The custodian alerted museum officials who called police.
The museum was closed at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, but police and museum officials aren't ruling out the possibility that the theft occurred during operating hours. The Yorktown receives about 1,500 to 2,000 visitors on Sundays in the summer.
"It's hard to believe no one would have reported them missing, though, during normal hours," Burnette said.
The cover of the display case in the museum was a tacked-down glass lid. Whoever stole the medals managed to jar the lid, breaking off a triangular piece of glass, Burnette said. After that, the thief could reach inside easily and steal the medals.
Although the museum, which highlights the history and recipients of the Medal of Honor, closed at 7:30 p.m., the museum door was not secured by the two security guards on duty, according to police.
Police and the FBI are unsure why the door was left unlocked, according to Lt. Shawn Livingston. Burnette said there is a possibility that a locking mechanism on the door was not secured properly.
There are several layers of security in place at the Yorktown, Burnette said. There were no overnight campers staying on the premises. Burnette doesn't rule out the possibility that someone hid onboard until after closing.
"It's a very big ship," he said.
The FBI is investigating because attempting to sell a Medal of Honor is a federal offense, Livingston said. Because of the sentimental value of the medals, there is a presumption of interstate transportation, according to Agent Steve Grimaldi of the FBI.
So far, officials have no suspects. Police and the FBI are monitoring online auction sites such as eBay and notifying area antique dealers, Livingston said. Police are considering the possibility that the theft was an inside job.
"We haven't ruled anything out internally or externally," Livingston said.
The main focus of the investigation, according to Livingston and Grimaldi, is the recovery of the medals. Officials are appealing to the public to keep their eyes open for the medals.
"Certainly, we would like to appeal to anyone's sense of patriotism," Livingston said. "I'm not sure the medals have a lot of monetary value, but their sentimental value is priceless."
"The men who received these medals were awarded for their sacrifices," Burnette said. "They went into situations where they assumed they were going to die. Those men deserve to be honored here."
_________________
Brad
|
Login
Register
FAQ
Search
