§ 498
Military or naval discharge certificates
Official text prohibited actmental stateif conditionpenaltylegal term
Whoever forges, counterfeits, or falsely alters any certificate of discharge from the military or naval service of the United States, or uses, unlawfully possesses or exhibits any such certificate, knowing the same to be forged, counterfeited, or falsely altered, shall be [1] or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.
History: (June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 712 (PDF, 39 MB); Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, §330016(1)(K), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147 (PDF, 52 MB).)
1 See 1994 Amendment note below.
Simplified explanation
It is a federal crime to forge or falsely alter a military or naval discharge certificate, or to knowingly use, possess, or show a fake one.