I'm reading "The U.S. M14 Rifle: The Last Steel Warrior" (2nd Edition), which is an informative treatment of this rifle. On page 119 is a picture with this caption:
"February 14, 1968. 24 year old Ernest J. Wagner of Racine, Wisconsin with a letter from the government, stating that he owes $71.20 for an M14 rifle he lost during his tour in Vietnam. According to Wagner, he placed his weapon on a helicopter but did not board the aircraft. When the helicopter returned, his M14 was gone. An investigating officer charged him with negligence. He was given 30 days to pay or face legal action. Mr. Wagner served a year in Vietnam with the 25th Infantry Division and was honorably discharged. This story appeared in every major newspaper in the US."
I've been researching to try to find out what happened with this claim, but haven't had any luck. My guess would be that all the adverse publicity caused the Army to drop the matter, but who knows?
According to the CPI Inflation Calculator, $71.20 in 1968 would be $567.29 today.
"February 14, 1968. 24 year old Ernest J. Wagner of Racine, Wisconsin with a letter from the government, stating that he owes $71.20 for an M14 rifle he lost during his tour in Vietnam. According to Wagner, he placed his weapon on a helicopter but did not board the aircraft. When the helicopter returned, his M14 was gone. An investigating officer charged him with negligence. He was given 30 days to pay or face legal action. Mr. Wagner served a year in Vietnam with the 25th Infantry Division and was honorably discharged. This story appeared in every major newspaper in the US."
I've been researching to try to find out what happened with this claim, but haven't had any luck. My guess would be that all the adverse publicity caused the Army to drop the matter, but who knows?
According to the CPI Inflation Calculator, $71.20 in 1968 would be $567.29 today.