Description: Email hoax
Circulating since: May 2010
Status: False
Email example contributed by Gary Q., June 4, 2010:
FW: Fallen Marine Vet
RIP R. Lee Ermey, 1944-2010
It's with a heavy heart that I find myself writing this about someone I've admired for many years. Ever since "Full Metal Jacket", R. Lee Ermey emboded the image of a hard-ass Marine for most of us. He was a person whose personal life was as interesting as the characters he portrayed. Serving in the Marines from 1961-1972 as a staff seargent, he was later given the honorary rank of gunnery seargent because of his ongoing support of military personnel everywhere, and because of his gritty portrayal of Gunny Hartmann.
He had a decorated career before being medically retired in 1972 because of the numerous injuries he sustained in his years of service. Ermey's service awards can be seen here: [not shown: image of military decorations]
Ermey succumbed to complications associated with pneuomonia at 3:14 AM at his home in San Diego. His nearly sixty film appearances will continue to inspire and cement his legacy for many years to come.
Give 'em hell, Gunny!
Analysis: Hoax. Not only is retired Marine Staff Sgt. and award-winning actor R. Lee Ermey alive and well as of this writing (June 4, 2010), but there have been no recent press reports that he is ailing. Quite to the contrary, according to Associated Press he was on hand for the 2010 Memorial Day parade in Washington, DC on May 31 and even gave statements to reporters — well over a week after this bogus obituary began circulating online.
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Sources and further reading:
Patriotism on Display During Memorial Day Parade
WTOP News / Associated Press, 31 May 2010Memorial Day Parade in D.C. Honors Solemnity of Sacrifice
Washington Times, 31 May 2010R. Lee Ermey Alive and Well
2Old2Play.com, 26 May 2010Bio: R. Lee Ermey
R. Lee Ermey official website
See also:
R. Lee Ermey 2004 Press Conference
Forwarded email purports to quote an actual 2004 press conference in which actor R. Lee Ermey takes the media to task in a profanity-laden diatribe.
Last updated 06/04/10
