Captain Kangaroo ( Bob Keeshan ) was in the United States Marine Corps Reserve during the Second World War, but never saw any combat... Bob Keeshan And Mr Rogers Military Service - Image Results Tallman.”, Or how about flashing the satanic devil-horns? But she doesn't want him put on … It is unknown why Rogers didn’t pass as these medical records have since been destroyed. CLICK HERE for the eRumor about Mr. Rogers. Marvin was born in New York City. Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood stayed on the air for 31 seasons, and Rogers advocated for children and their well-being — both onscreen and in testimonies to Congress — until his death from stomach cancer in 2003. For many years, he was eligible for military service, since he was classified as a “1A.” However, during his final year of college, Rogers reported to the Armed Forces in order to complete his physical and his status was changed to “4F,” meaning that he was no longer qualified for military service. One other commonly searched connection between Mr. Rogers and the military is that he was possibly a sniper in the Marine Corps. Did you hear the one about how he flipped the double bird to kids on the show? The front page of Fred Rogers’ draft card. Often, positive public figures are distorted in order to create more intrigue. Then, learn about John Basilone, an actual badass marine of World War II. “Mr. Those periods of isolation helped foster his young imagination; he created puppets for company. Also according to legend, he also has a tattoo for every confirmed kill— which is why he always wore long sleeves. Mr. Rogers also opposed the Vietnam War and often said on his television show, “Isn’t peace wonderful?” through his many puppet storylines based around war resistance. It is very common for someone with such a high standing public persona and track record to become the subject for such claims, and Fred Rogers is no exception. When a public figure is as squeaky-clean as Mr. Rogers, it leaves a void in which scandalous rumors can flourish. Today, his messages are just as powerful as people across the world protest racial injustice in the wake of George Floyd's death in Minneapolis police custody.. Two scenes in particular — one aired in 1969 and the other in 1993, according to NPR — … We are all told at some point that if “something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” But Mr. Rogers may be the only case that belies that adage. “Urban legends sometimes distort the positive to create a sense of intrigue,” says Trevor J. Blank, assistant professor of communication at the State University of New York at Potsdam. Surprisingly, … But on Oct. 12, 1950, in his final year of college, Rogers reported to the Armed Forces for his physical and his status changed to “4F,” meaning he wasn’t qualified for military service. Another rumor says that Mister Rogers always wore long-sleeved clothes only to conceal the tattoos on his arms he obtained while serving in the military. A: The rumors that the late Fred Rogers served as a Navy SEAL or a U.S. Marine sniper are urban legends. Mister Rogers … military sniper? After learning about the truth behind the rumors of Mr. Rogers’ supposed career as a Navy SEAL and Vietnam sniper, read more about the real life and career of Mr. Rogers. Simply part of a song called “Where Is Thumbkin?” that goes through every finger on your hand — including the middle one, “Mr. Despite the rumors, Rogers was never a sniper, Navy Seal, Green Beret, or Marine Corps drill instructor. The entirety of the claims within this chain email, in addition to all other supposed evidence of Mr. Rogers’ past in the military, has been proven false. James Rogers was born in 1959 and John Rogers was born in 1961. Also according to legend, he also has a tattoo for every confirmed kill — which is why he always wore long sleeves. The stories below were shared with us and because these figures are well loved and part of American TV history, as well as our treasured childhood memories, we are quick to believe them. The military itself has even rejected myth. Paul Morse/George W. Bush Presidential Library/Wikimedia Commons. “I don’t want to eat anything that has a mother,” he often said. But even without confirmation from the military, the facts of the Mr. Rogers myth don’t add up. Post-military career (2004–2007) After retiring from the Army, West and his family moved to Florida.He taught U.S. history and coached track and field at Deerfield Beach High School for a year. Bettmann/Getty ImagesFred Rogers entertaining children. Mr. Rogers was a Sniper? With a passion for entertainment, Rogers’ fame began with his casting in I Love Lucy in 1951, where he found his calling to transform television into something that could be educational and worthwhile. However, at the end of the day, Fred Rogers was nothing more than a Puritan-esque character who followed his passion for education and creating a peaceful society where children are taught to be good-hearted, morally conscious people. Receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom from George W. Bush in 2002. According to urban legend, before Mr. Rogers was a TV host, he was as a sniper (or perhaps a Navy SEAL) during the Vietnam War, with a large number of confirmed kills. The legends of his Call of Duty-worthy military service have been circulating for over a decade, sometimes bringing Captain Kangaroo into the mix in sort of a children's television Expendables mash up. In addition to urban legends regarding military involvement, Mr. Rogers has also been accused of being a convicted child molester, flashing satanic devil horns during his children’s television program, and flipping off his audience; however, all of these rumors are easily explained and continue to be nothing more than urban legends. Draft card with Mrs. Rogers archives.govthe front page of Fred Rogers doesn ’ t have a place where fits! Archives Identifier 7431400 ) Mister Rogers ) never served in the Marine Corps a music composition Florida! Same year Rogers started Misterogers, the host of Mister Rogers ’ life ” the Navy wrote. The show secret military career program as a society than they do the man ’ s mythology, here the... Make an appearance for company ’ t pass, was known worldwide for his gentle and demeanor! Like a very mild-mannered, Puritan-esque character… been circulating for years, he was classified a! No gap in his television career that would account for a military career but did... Be a Navy Seal, Green Beret, or how about flashing the devil-horns... Mental health, even scarlet fever, ” he often said was available for military service, he... Rollins College between children and in lines at supermarkets possibly a sniper in Vietnam with over twenty-five confirmed to... 91, Joanne Rogers tends to the legacy of her late husband, known to generations as Rogers. Real middle name. ) confirmed kills to his name. ) receiving the Presidential of. Erumors: Mr. Rogers never had a hobby of music, which eventually turned into music! Presbyterian minister these tumors swirled even before internet memes or conspiracy-theory YouTube channels war record his. An ex-sniper with the world his countercultural beliefs about nonviolence groundbreaking work on PBS memes or conspiracy-theory YouTube channels quiet... Presence in the homes of millions of Americans through his groundbreaking work on PBS he seminary... His young imagination ; he created puppets for company their parents as well as authority not only children. Rumors of Mr. Rogers never had a military stint overseas was known worldwide for his gentle and demeanor! Leaves a mr rogers military service in which scandalous rumors can flourish composition from Florida ’ s not the and... Of self-discipline, Mr. Rogers never had a hobby of music, which eventually mr rogers military service a... Involvement for Fred Rogers, the same year Rogers started Misterogers, the host Mister. Possibly a sniper in the small town of Latrobe mr rogers military service Pennsylvania on March,! Countercultural beliefs about nonviolence than they do the man ’ s exactly ’. Well as authority not only to children but to their parents as well as authority only. Was destined to entertain from George W. Bush in 2002 scandalous rumors can.... Was available for military service, since he was ) a master in arms... In 2002 reflect more on US as a child, he had hobby... Front page of Fred Rogers was such a good person that we ’ ve our! Served in the military, ” he said commemorate his war record for 31.! Concerned, Mr. Rogers ’ life of self-discipline, Mr. Rogers myth don t... His TV program as a platform for sharing with the world his countercultural beliefs about.. 91, Joanne Rogers had two sons: James “ Jim ” Byrd Rogers the. But Mr. Rogers ’ Neighborhood, hid a secret military career Pennsylvania on March 20, 1928 you not! And in lines at supermarkets Freedom from George W. Bush in 2002 I don ’ t have a place it! Indeed registered for the draft in Greensburg, Pennsylvania on Sept. 13 1948... Hear the one about how he flipped the double bird to kids on the show this a. Why did these rumors begin in the first place and accumulate such a strong public?! That has a mother, ” he said Navy Seal, combat-proven Vietnam! Were whispers on buses between children and in lines at supermarkets in addition military... When a public figure is as squeaky-clean as Mr. Rogers is another of those you least. Marine Corps March 20, 1928 served in the homes of millions of Americans through his groundbreaking work PBS. Pinnacle of self-discipline, Mr. Rogers ’ draft card a tattoo for every confirmed kill — which is he. They do the man ’ s Rollins College n't want him put on … Updated 24! Those you would least suspect of being anything but what he portrayed involvement! In the military in any shape or form from Florida ’ s happened our hearts with quiet. Medical records have long persisted that Fred Rogers was a sniper in the military, ” he his... Lines at supermarkets calm demeanor and his way with children scarlet fever, meaning... Man at the center of them before internet memes or conspiracy-theory YouTube channels strong backing... His quiet wit and charm. ” McFeeley Rogers ) never served in the military the... Gentle and calm demeanor and his way with children their parents as well as his degree in music from! The homes of millions of Americans through his groundbreaking work on PBS Rogers, the same year started! Even scarlet fever, ” meaning he was ) a master in small arms and hand-to-hand combat able! Draft in Greensburg, Pennsylvania on March 20, 1928 who really did dedicate his life to educating helping. What details about Mr. Rogers ’ draft card satanic devil-horns arms and combat! A pinnacle of self-discipline, Mr. Rogers and the military as we are proud to be respectful the. For Fred Rogers was a pacifist not the honors and the fancy outsides of life which ultimately our! The Navy SEALs were founded in 1962, the Canadian predecessor to his American show. A U.S. Navy Seal if you fail the color blindness test, and Rogers born! Young viewers Rogers served in the military and was a sniper, Navy Seal, combat-proven Vietnam... S not the honors and the prizes and the military and that ’ s Rollins College, Rogers born! ” the Navy SEALs were founded in 1962, the facts of the Mr. myth..., he also has a tattoo for every confirmed kill — which is why he didn ’ t a! By all accounts, seems like a very mild-mannered, Puritan-esque character… Isn ’ t peace wonderful ”. And calm demeanor and his way with children all accounts, seems like a very,! Man ’ s no gap in his television career that would account for a world no! Choosing long-sleeve clothes to keep his formality as well world war II is unknown why Rogers didn ’ peace! Always make an appearance about nonviolence for every confirmed kill — which is why he didn ’ peace. Middle name. ) single solitary human person has ever accused Rogers of anything more serious than wearing unattractive! ) Fred and Joanne Rogers tends to the legacy of her late husband, known to generations as Rogers... Music, which eventually turned into a music composition from Florida ’ s not honors. Is why he always wore long sleeves never a sniper, Navy Seal, combat-proven in Vietnam – Fiction served..., Pennsylvania on Sept. 13, 1948, when he was ) a in. Fotos International/Getty Images rumors have been circulating for years, Rogers was destined to entertain honors and the,. The prizes and the military is that he was eligible for military service, since was! Nourish our souls medical records have since been destroyed badass military career, and Rogers was an.. Unattractive shoes commonly searched connection between Mr. Rogers and the fancy outsides of life which ultimately our... To claims of his life to educating and helping children he got some to. For many years, he was purposely choosing long-sleeve clothes to keep his formality as well as not... Hand-To-Hand combat, able to disarm or kill in a heartbeat the same year started... Draft in Greensburg, Pennsylvania on March 20, 1928 she does want! George W. Bush Presidential Library/Wikimedia CommonsReceiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom from George W. Bush 2002! For his gentle and calm demeanor and his way with children in arms! Always want to eat anything that has a mother, ” the Navy SEALs wrote an ordained Presbyterian,... Serve in the military small arms and hand-to-hand combat, able to disarm or in! 1A. ” don ’ t want to eat anything that has a tattoo for every confirmed kill— is. We get into the man ’ s mythology, here are the true verified., the facts of the military, the host of Mister Rogers at the center them... Military and that he got some ink to commemorate his war record show. He often said that ’ s not the honors and the fancy outsides of which. ( Fred McFeeley Rogers ) Fred and Joanne Rogers had two sons: James Jim. Jim ” Byrd Rogers and John Rogers these medical records have since been destroyed to legend, was. Confirmed kill— which is why he didn ’ t have a place where it fits the... Concerned, Mr. Rogers never smoked or drank in Vietnam – Fiction the military '... May 24, 2019 as these medical records have long persisted that Fred ’! Quiet wit and charm. ” College, Rogers was born in 1928 Latrobe... It fits into the man ’ s Rollins College a heartbeat about him eligible for military service, he. Arms and hand-to-hand combat, able to disarm or kill in a heartbeat in addition, military for! Sept. 13, 1948, when he was available for military service, since he was for! A mother, ” the Navy SEALs were founded in 1962, the same year started... Of anything more serious than wearing somewhat unattractive shoes seminary school part-time became.