Dr. Pangloss:

He was there, he went on patrol, but did he partake in battle? Did he/see/witness/engage in battle first hand. I think the article compliments his realistic description in spite of not partaking in battle. Libel though? Sounds like a bored ambulance-chaser is a fan of Norman.

Hence my use of the word "clarification," rather than "retraction" or "apology." Readers of the VOA article who don't know better (as I didn't until I looked it up elsewhere) may come away with the false impression that Mailer was never even in the military. I agree with you about the charge of libel, but I would sum it up this way: He (dcurrieus) has more of a point than you (or Pooty Pants) think he does, but less of one than he thinks he does.