After Being Snookered, Press Helps Bring Down Fake General

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1001012160

Published: August 10, 2005 10:35 AM ET

SHREVEPORT, La. (AP) William Lawson looked every bit the retired Marine general this summer as he stood before a crowd of 200 people, demanding that a cemetery properly dispose of the American flags placed at the graves of veterans.

He had on khakis, the Marines' summer service uniform, complete with a general's stars and row after row of medals, including the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Good Conduct Medal. He even wore an eye patch.

It turns out, however, that Lawson wasn't a general at all -- or even a World War II combat veteran. His 19 months in the Marines were all spent stateside -- he ended boot camp after Iwo Jima -- and he never rose above the rank of private first class.

Lawson, 78, admitted the charade after being confronted with his records in interviews with The Marine Corps Times and The (Shreveport, Louisiana) Times. The media checks occurred after Lawson appeared at the flag rally in late June.

[seemslikeadream]

1. Now when will they do that to georgie?

[BikeWriter]

2. Well said!