Neville Goddards Military Records

21 Dec Neville Goddard’s Military Records: Fact-Checking the 1943 Discharge Against His Lectures

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.

A reader of CWB asked, “Wasn’t there a wartime policy for older men?

Answer: In a nutshell, the army discharge manifestation was the reversal of the disapproval of the wartime policy application for older men. He submitted that application and it was disapproved initially. (see Appendix 1)

Neville didn’t say he went around military law. In 1942-1943 there were wartime policies for older men which is correct.

Neville’s story and the historical record actually align perfectly with his own account in the lecture below.

In the lecture, Rearrange the Mind, Neville stated he had submitted a “normal natural application, as you have to do in the world of Caesar.”

Neville’s age was one of the reasons for his discharge from the army. But his application was initially “disapproved” by his commanding officer.

He quoted his Captain, who had said Neville was “almost thirty-eight” (Neville was born in 1905 so he would be 38 in 1943, at the beginning of the year this policy was put into effect).

The “manifestation” part of Neville’s story, was not about if the policy existed, but about getting past his commanding officers’ disapproval. The age discharge policy didn’t just automatically happen. It needed approval. (see Appendix 1).

Neville’s request was rejected, and was stamped “disapproved,” by Colonel Theodore Bilbo Jr.

After Neville said he performed an imaginal act (he said he slept) in his apartment in New York City, Colonel Bilbo called Neville back in nine days later, and reversed the decision, approving Neville’s honorable discharge.

Supporting Materials:

For anyone looking for Neville Goddard’s military records:

Enlistee Information:

Name: Neville L. Goddard

Army Serial Number: 32626732

Place of Enlistment: New York City, New York

Date of Enlistment: November 12, 1942

Residence: New York, New York County, New York State

Nativity: Bahamas or other British West Indies (e.g., Barbados, Bermuda, Jamaica, etc.)

Year of Birth: 1905

Race and Citizenship: White, not yet a U.S. citizen

Education Level: 3 years of high school

Marital Status: Separated, without dependents

Civilian Occupation: Authors, editors, and reporters

Military Details:

Grade Upon Enlistment: Private (PVT)

Branch: Branch Immaterial – Warrant Officers, USA

Term of Enlistment: Enlisted for the duration of the war or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or as per law.

Component of the Army: Selectees (Enlisted Men)

Source of Army Personnel: Civilian life

Reference lecture: Neville Goddard Lectures: “Rearrange the Mind”