Paul H. Dunn

[Paul H. Dunn told a] tale about his best friend, 'who died in his arms during a World War II battle, while imploring Dunn to teach America's youth about patriotism.' Then there was the riveting account of how God protected him as enemy machine‑gun bullets ripped away his clothing, gear and helmet without ever touching his skin.' Another inspirational yarn explained 'how perseverance and Mormon values led him to play major‑league baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals.' Unfortunately, none of these stories were true. Dunn's 'dead' friend was still alive; only the heel of his boot was ever touched by a bullet; and he never played for the Cardinals.

[I was] the sole survivor among 11 infantrymen in a 100‑yard race against death, during which one burst of machine‑gun fire ripped [my] right boot off, another tore off [my] ammunition and canteen belt and yet another split [my] helmet in half ‑ all without wounding [me].

I kept a Japanese prisoner from being butchered by GIs bent on revenge for the torture slayings of American soldiers.

I wrestled a dynamite pack off a child kamikaze infiltrator, saving myself and the child.

I survived being run over by an enemy tank, while others were crushed.

[I was] one of only six individuals in my 1,000‑man combat group who survived a major battle, and was the only one of those six not wounded.

I confess that I have not always been accurate in my public talks and writings.