Silver Star taken from child porn convict

WASHINGTON, July 28 (UPI) -- U.S. authorities say a Silver Star -- given earlier to a Clinton-era Pentagon official now in prison for child pornography -- has been revoked.

A retired Navy captain, Wade Sanders, was awarded the decoration in 1992 for his bravery as a swift-boat captain in Vietnam, the Los Angeles Times reported. He was also a frequent spokesman for Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., during the 2004 presidential campaign.

Sanders served as deputy assistant secretary of the Navy for Reserve Affairs.

The revocation of the medal by Navy Secretary Ray Mabus in August was first reported this week by the Marine Corps Times.

Sanders pleaded guilty in San Diego federal court in December 2008 to possession of child pornography. Now 70, he is set to be released in March, the Los Angeles Times said.

U.S. prosecutors said Sanders kept more than 600 images of child pornography on his computer. Prosecutors said he also kept a 21-minute video showing prepubescent girls having sex with an adult male.

Sanders said he was researching a book on the exploitation of children.