WWE Hall of Famer Sgt. Slaughter will no longer bring up his years of fighting in Vietnam due to the fact that it never actually happened.
Despite never serving, Slaughter has spent years both in and out of wrestling speaking of his time as a U.S. Marine where he was said to be a drill instructor.
WWE has in the past also listed Slaughter among WWE Superstars who actually served in the armed forces including ‘Road Dogg’ Jesse James and Perry Saturn.
During his A&E Biography, Slaughter admitted he did not serve and said that his years of claiming the contrary was to protect the character. He said,
“I was told by Vince McMahon, Sr. that when I became a Marine that I should act like a Marine, be a Marine. That’s the only way that people are gonna believe you… When I did that show in New York City, I wasn’t Bob Remus. That was Sgt. Slaughter talking.”
Road Dogg, a veteran of the Iraq war, said that Slaughter is still an American hero even though he did not serve. He added,
“Look, Sgt. Slaughter came from a different time and a different era. He was so committed to that character.”
Later on, Slaughter apologized to anyone he had offended and said he would no longer bring up his false history. He said,
“If someone got offended by that, I apologize. You’ll never hear it out of my mouth again. I don’t mention Vietnam anymore. I was told that was part of my character so I portrayed that character. I can’t tell you how many men and women come up to me and tell me that they served in the military because of me. Sgt. Slaughter is America. People come up and want my autograph? That’s an honor.”
