[Khan Noonian Singh]

<< I suppose if one wanted to do research, a way would be to see when the "Bush failed an order to take a physical" meme popped up first. That angle, about an "order" to do it, seems unique to the CBS memos. >>

The earliest reference to this meme I have found is from 30 June 2004, http://groups.google.com/groups?selm=nuo6e01usbas8kiedqt2oo1ck38gmfh6hr%404ax.com.

It quotes from a web page. Here is an excerpt:

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... Regardless of what actions ARPC contemplated when reviewing Bush’s
records, all options required that Bush be certified as physically fit
to serve, or as unfit to serve.   

ARPC thus had to order Bush to get a physical examination, for which
Bush did not show up.  

ARPC then designated Bush as AWOL and a "non-locatee" (i.e. a
deserter) who had failed to satisfactorily participate in TXANG, and
certified him for immediate induction through his local draft board....

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The web page this is from is http://www.glcq.com/bush_at_arpc1.htm, but this newsgroup post nicely dates it at least to 30 June 2004 & may-be earlier.

[Cboldt]

That discussion is "looking for" the order. It does not say that an order existed.

Others have pointed out that most of the holes in the "Bush was AWOL" story were conveniently filled in by the CBS forgeries. Every person that studied the issue knew which holes needed to be filled.

[Khan Noonian Singh]

Here's an earlier one. From 30 December 2003, http://groups.google.com/groups?selm=lEmIb.189045%24PD3.5896144%40nnrp1.uunet.ca:

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In the fall of 1973, as an automatic disciplinary action, Bush was
reassigned to the Obligated Reserve Section in Denver, because he disobeyed
orders to show up for a mandatory flight physical and therefore was unable
to fulfill the last two years of his six-year obligation as an Air National
Guard jet fighter pilot.

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