Sgt. Slaughter, a WWE Hall of Famer, is one of the most popular wrestlers in company history. However, in recent years, there have been questions raised about Slaughter’s ability to maintain his Marine persona despite the fact that he has no military service record.
Slaughter remained in character outside of the ring, including in an interview with Sam Roberts and Jim Norton a few years back. Slaughter claimed in the interview that he served two tours in Vietnam.
During his A&E Biography, Slaughter stated that he did not serve and that the reason he did not break character outside of the ring was due to what he was told during his early days in the WWF.
“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,” Slaughter said. Slaugher continued, “When I did that show in New York City, I wasn’t Bob Remus. That was Sgt. Slaughter talking.”
Bruce Prichard appeared in the documentary and stated that the talent who emerged during the same era as Slaughter will protect their gimmick and “never ever let on anything else other than what was portrayed on TV.”
Hacksaw Jim Duggan was also interviewed and stated, “Ok, he didn’t have a military background. He probably raised more awareness for the military than all the military posters you see.”
Road Dogg, an Iraq War veteran, stated, “Look, Sgt. Slaughter came from a different time and a different era. He was so committed to that character.”
Slaughter apologized to those he had offended. “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.”
Road Dogg stated that even though Slaughter did not serve, he remains an American hero.
(h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription)
