Posted on 04/30/2006 2:26:19 PM PDT by SandRat
These are the years most effected by the fire.
"World War I:
Army
Nov. 1, 1912 – Sept. 7, 1939
World War II:
Army
Dec. 8, 1939 – Dec. 31, 1946
Post World War II:
Army
Dec. 1, 1947 - Dec. 31, 1959
Air Force
Dec. 25, 1947 - Dec. 31, 1963
But in general for most posers claiming heroism in the Army of the late sixties and early seventies, and fake Navy Seals
it doesn't offer cover.
As you point out most of the records have been recovered any way.
Besides in conversation you don't really expect someone to pull out a DD 214, but the way the subject is handled can be revealing.
In 76 there was still confusion surrounding the losses from the fire. (
That one covered me.
My 18th birth day was June 29th, 1963. The A.F. recruitor told me not to bother to register for the draft because my enlistment date was July 8, 1963.
I served 4 years active duty and about 3 months after my discharge I got my draft notice, they told me because I failed to register for the draft that I was being drafted.
Fortunately for me that was before the St. Louis fire and I was still inactive reserve anyway. It was quite a hassle anyway.
I have no sympathy whatsoever for the phony heros.
I'm not a hero but I did stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night.
The Air Force used to rarely play into the phoney vet world, although among professionals I'll bet there were some fake pilots.
I'll bet that the coverage of the Air Force para rescue elites will lead to many fakes claiming that background.
When I was young and spent a lot of time in bars, I really enjoyed exposing the fakers.
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