This “story” has been floating around for years, (really picking up steam around 9/11 and the start of Dubya’s Iraq War, due to Rather’s anti-war stance), and has never been proven one way or the other, mostly due to the fact that a living service member’s record is kept private unless the service member authorizes its release, which Dan has never done. It’s been kept alive (and slowly gaining a little more traction recently in the polarized liberal vs. conservative environment) by conservative conspiracy theorists, and given extra weight by confirmation from military sources of dubious credentials (which, in the majority of cases, are also heavily biased toward the conservative side).
The facts, as near as I’ve ever been able to determine, is that Rather did enlist in the Marine Corps in 1954, and at some point during boot camp at Parris Island, SC, he was discharged as “medically unfit.” Beyond that, nothing has ever been definitely confirmed. The specific medical reason for his discharge hasn’t been revealed, although the rumors run the spectrum from the rheumatic fever story to claims that he was a “bed wetter” and similar claims designed to question his masculinity. I have yet to see a single story from anybody who could be considered a reliable source or even anyone who could be reasonably expected to have any first-hand knowledge. In the defense of the conspiracy theorists, as a Marine Corps veteran I will confirm one thing they say correctly: everyone seems to agree that Rather left boot camp before final graduation of his recruit training. No Marine worth his salt would agree that someone has earned the title of “Marine” if he doesn’t make it to, and attend that graduation ceremony on the last day of training. (Sgt.) Doug Fields (USMC) Tampa, FL From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Steve Timko Sent: Wednesday, April 5, 2017 7:38 PM To: TV or Not TV <[email protected]> Subject: [TV orNotTV] Dan Rather may have a Brian Williams issue So far it's only been reported by NewsMax and WorldNetDaily, so this could be fake news. But Dan Rather claims to have enlisted in the Marines and was kicked out because he had rheumatic fever as a child. Now there's reports he got booted before he completed boot camp, so he can claim to have been a Marina. Take it with a grain of salt. http://thisainthell.us/blog/?p=71252 -- -- TV or Not TV .... The Smartest (TV) People! You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "TV or Not TV" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/tvornottv?hl=en --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "TVorNotTV" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. ________________________________ No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com<http://www.avg.com/email-signature> Version: 2016.0.8012 / Virus Database: 4769/14223 - Release Date: 04/01/17 -- -- TV or Not TV .... The Smartest (TV) People! You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "TV or Not TV" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/tvornottv?hl=en --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "TVorNotTV" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
