A judge last month demoted a Marine sergeant major to sergeant for wearing military awards and decorations, such as the Purple Heart, that he never earned.

Then-Sgt. Maj. Charlie Clawson was charged and convicted of wearing nine unauthorized decorations, ribbons, devices or insignia between January 2019 and October 2023, according to charge sheets obtained by Marine Corps Times.

Among the awards and decorations Clawson deceptively wore on his uniform were the Purple Heart, awarded to those killed or wounded in military service; Combat Action Ribbon, awarded to Sailors or Marines who actively participated in ground or surface combat; and the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, authorized for those who have contributed to meritorious achievement for joint activities, the charge sheets state.

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Clawson also wore the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Service Medal, the Kosovo Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (with a silver and bronze device to designate seven awards), the overseas service of the Navy and Marine Corps. , and Navy and Marine Corps paratrooper insignia, the charge sheets show.

For each of these awards, Clawson also faced a charge of violating Article 134 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, a general article covering misconduct such as indecent acts, fraternization, and bigamy.

Clawson was also charged with making a false official statement after he allegedly shared a fake doctorate degree and transcript from Liberty University with Marine Corps Manpower and Reserve Affairs in May 2019.

The statement was “absolutely false and was afterwards known by the said Sergeant Major Clawson to be so false,” the charge sheet states.

Maj. Hector Infante, a spokesman for the Marine Corps Training and Education Command in Quantico, confirmed to Marine Corps Times that a court-martial convicted Clawson on Sept. 13 of all charges against him.

Military.com first reported Clawson’s downgrade.

Clawson, of Virginia, first enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1996 and went on to serve as a motor vehicle operator in the service, according to his service records.

Service records show Clawson is assigned to the Headquarters Battalion at the Training and Education Command in Quantico. Infante confirmed to Marine Corps Times that he is currently administratively assigned to the command.

Clawson’s awards and decorations include a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, presented to personnel who supported counterterrorism operations after 9/11; and two sea service deployment ribbons, authorized for sailors and sailors who have completed a deployment at sea.