The article in question (edition 13 November 2007) concerned a local identity "veteran" ex Colonel John HOSKIN who was quoted as "serving in the army reserve for 40 years and spent six weeks fighting in Vietnam as an officer (Colonel) leading 130 men, bullets missing him by centimetres.....

The Vietnam Veterans who made contact with ANZMI were outraged at the statements made by HOSKIN and two in particular were adamant that HOSKIN was blowing smoke about his time in South Vietnam.  A cursory check of the Department of Veterans' Affairs Vietnam Veterans Nominal Roll shows HOSKIN went to Vietnam on a 11 day CMF (reservist) Officers Visit from10 December 1967 to 20 December 1967 - a total of 11 days in-country!!

It is common knowledge among Vietnam veterans that CMF Officer visits were a basic nuisance and their presence was a hindrance to normal unit operations, to a man, no ANZMI members can recall a visitor of this category being exposed to any enemy action - the truth be known most visitors were kept in the rear and allotted basic tasks (if any) and all concerned were glad to see them return to Australia.

 HOSKIN was contacted by ANZMI by mail on 1 December 2007 giving him until 21 December to disprove allegations of making up war stories or prove them correct - at the same time he was advised to reply to ANZMI with his intentions and given the opportunity to provide an apology to all Vietnam Veterans - he did neither.  Our investigations show he made communications with the newspaper and attempted retractions over two matters - he wanted the time in-country amended to read two weeks, and his rank to read Major - from information the newspaper provided he made no requests to alter the "combat action" details of his story.  There was no apology/retraction made by the Journal as time and printing space disallowed such action. 

During the "waiting period" more evidence came to hand in the form of HOSKIN at one stage supposedly being a commentator on ABC television for ANZAC Day marches, his constant refusal to become a member of any Returned and Services League because of bad history of treatment of Vietnam veterans, and his voluntary role in addressing local schools on his operational service in Vietnam.  In 2004 a local school gave its students a task of interviewing HOSKIN and reporting on his service in the school magazine - the reader can view two of these interviews below.........

Schools and parents should be cautious of 'veterans' offering to speak to children about wartime experiences.  Please check the veterans' bona fides carefully because there are numerous wannabes listed in our Cases pages who have sought situations that give them the opportunity to regale children with lies and inappropriate tales of killing people, purely for their own self aggrandisement

There can be no doubt that HOSKIN has walked the path of Walter MITTY here, he is a veteran in his own right, albeit a "short timer" - but has seen the need to gild the lily for self aggrandisement.

 ANZMI holds more information on this pretender and will present such information should the need arise.

 John HOSKIN is a disgrace to the Officer Corps, and can accompany others of this ilk on our website.