[BlessedByLiberty]

I know this isn't a nice theory, but here goes: a politically ambitious man wanted the spotlight desperately.

He needed a credible background to grab that spotlight with both hands. After being denied his requested deferment to study in Europe, he researches the ins and outs of military rules and discovers that 3 Purple Hearts and you're out.

He develops the Purple Hoax (thank you again for that!) and now the hoax is his very undoing. To sustain a hoax one needs support, however, the details are leaking out and the support is breaking down Like termites on old wet wood.

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

I think you've nailed the situation in 30 words or less!

[XBob]

47 - "I know this isn't a nice theory, but here goes: a politically ambitious man wanted the spotlight desperately."

He majored in Political Science at Yale. Fluent in French, excellent yachtsman and had private pilot's lisence - (from his Navy Request for Assignment paperwork) All by the time he graduated from college.