A Birthmark In The Records New Traces Of Neville Goddard
26 Aug A Birthmark in the Records: New Traces of Neville Goddard
Research into Neville Goddard’s life keeps uncovering small but significant details that sharpen our understanding of his story.
We now know that in 1930 Neville was living at 146 West 49th Street, a theatrical boarding hotel in Manhattan’s Radio City district, surrounded by actors and dancers. This places him squarely as working artist carving out a living in the years before he turned to teaching.
Later, in 1942–43, Neville was drafted into the Army. He served briefly as a Private in the 4011th Armored Field Artillery Battalion, and was honorably discharged after four months at Camp Polk, Louisiana. Almost immediately afterward, he applied for and received U.S. citizenship. We previously wrote about his military records. See: Neville Goddard’s Military Records
This is just a second confirmation about his military stories he mentions in his lectures.
His petition describes him as 5’10”, 156 pounds, with brown hair, brown eyes, and even notes a small birthmark on his upper lip — a rare personal glimpse of the mystic behind the lectures.
To anchor these discoveries, I’ve added a chronological Appendix of Neville Goddard’s Residences, Events & Documents at the end of my Neville research posts. These timelines give us a clearer map of his life as new records continue to surface.
SPECIAL – MILITARY STATEMENT OF THE MILITARY SERVICE of NEVILLE L. GODDARD
Army Serial Number 32,626,732
The records show that Neville L. Goddard, Army serial number 32,626,732, was inducted into the military service 12 November 1942, at New York, New York, and was honorably discharged, a private, Medical Detachment, 4011th Armored Field Artillery Battalion, 15 March 1943 at Camp Polk, Louisiana, for the convenience of the Government, over 38 years of age and to accept employment in essential war industry.
The soldier stated that he was born at Bridgetown, British West Indies, 19 February 1905, and that he was a declarant alien.
Official statement furnished 26 June 1943, for use in naturalization proceedings under the provisions of Section 701 of the Nationality Act of 1940 as amended, and Title I of the Second War Powers Act, 1942, to the District Director of Immigration and Naturalization, Federal Building – Christopher Street, 641 Washington Street, New York, New York.
By authority of the Secretary of War.
J. V. STARK,
Lt. Col., A.G.D., Chief of Branch.
Certificate of Arrival
U.S. Department of Justice — Immigration and Naturalization Service
Certificate of Arrival No. 13-14-3841
Name: Neville L. Goddard
Port of Entry: New York, N.Y.
Date: Dec. 23, 1925
Manner of Arrival: S.S. America
Issued Mar 4, 1943; signed by E. Salisbury, Chief, Certifications Branch.
Petition for Naturalization (Excerpt — Neville Lancelot Goddard)
To the Honorable the US District ___ Court of ___ Southern District of New York, NY
This petition for naturalization, hereby made and filed, respectfully shows:
(1) My full, true, and correct name is NEVILLE LANCELOT GODDARD
(2) My present place of residence is 32 Washington Square, New York, NY
(3) I was born on February 19, 1905, in Barbados, British West Indies
(4) My personal description is: Age 38 years; sex male; color white; complexion medium; color of eyes brown; color of hair brown; height 5 feet 10 inches; weight 156 pounds; visible distinctive marks birth mark right side upper lip; present nationality Britain
(5) I am ___ married; the name of my wife is Willa
(6) I have 2 children.
(7) I emigrated to the United States, its Territories, or its possessions, from London, England
(8) My lawful admission to the United States, its Territories, or its possessions, was at New York, NY under the name of Neville L. Goddard on December 23, 1925, on the America as shown by the certificate of my arrival attached to this petition.
(9) I entered the US Army on November 12, 1942, under Serial No. 32626732 and was honorably discharged on March 15, 1943.