Newsgroups: alt.religion.scientology
From: ldoering@caen.engin.umich.edu (Laurence Doering)
Subject: LRH's achievements (was Some views on Scientology)
Message-ID: <Pqw#Wp_@engin.umich.edu>
Date: Sun, 21 Jul 91 07:22:02 GMT
Organization: University of Michigan Engineering, Ann Arbor
References: <cf7l=3Dwb@rpi.edu> <17115@life.ai.mit.edu> <ql7lrnc@rpi.edu>
Sender: Larry Doering
Lines: 49

In article <ql7lrnc@rpi.edu> jimcat@printroom.its.rpi.edu (Jim Kasprzak) writes:
>In article <17115@life.ai.mit.edu> whatis@wookumz.gnu.ai.mit.edu (....What Is?....) writes:
>>In article <cf7l=3Dwb@rpi.edu> jimcat@operators.its.rpi.edu (Jim Kasprzak) writes:
>>>   By late in his life, Hubbard was even believing some of the
>>>   more fantastic tales he'd told about himself - for example, he sent a
>>>   letter to the US Navy requesting that they send him the medals he 
>>>   claimed to have earned during the Second World War, almost all of which
>>>   he'd never actually been given. (The Navy was not fooled.)
>>
>>LRH did a lot of top secret work and had two files: the real one,
>>kept very safe, and the "sheep dip" one, which was a fake one made
>>to cover up the existence of the real one.  
> 
> Hoo hah! Just the sort of answer LRH himself would have given. Obviously
>the Church of Scientology is carrying on quite well in the spirit of its
>founder. 

I saw a blurb in one of the volumes of L. Ron's science fiction "dekalogy"
that said he was a famous barnstorming pilot in the '20s.
Even stranger, I have a copy of the International Scientology News from 1989
that describes the events held by the Church of Scientology to celebrate 
L. Ron's birthday that year.  It includes a photo of L. Ron smiling at a
large birthday cake that says "Happy Birthday Commodore", and a listing
of the "very special awards" L. Ron received in 1988 and 1989.
Quoting:
"During 1988, LRH received some very special awards.  In August 1988 LRH
was awarded the well known 'El Sol de Oro' award in Mexico for his
literary contributions.  Following this, LRH was given an even more
prestigious award: the 'Palmas de Oro', which was presented at a special
event and which was covered on national television in Mexico.  On the back
of the award, one can read: 'To L. Ron Hubbard, one of the most acclaimed
authors of all time.'
"Another award was given to LRH this last year, called 'The Golden Cross 
of Merit and Devotion' medal.  It is given out once a year in France by a
special committee and just a few weeks ago it was awarded to L. Ron Hubbard
for 'Exceptional service to mankind.'"

One small problem:  wasn't L. Ron *dead* by 1988?  

L. Ron seems to have liked the Navy, whether he served in it in WWII or not.
His birthday photo seems to indicate that he was the "Commodore" of the
Church of Scientology, and the issue of ISN I have shows, among others,
Captain David Miscavige and Commander R.A. Norman Starkey.  Both are
wearing what look like Navy dress uniforms (except they're wearing bow
ties instead of the Navy black necktie).  The "Captain" has four gold stripes
on the sleeves of his jacket, and the "Commander" has three stripes.  These
are the Navy insignia for captain and commander.

Make of it what you will.