From Wikipedia: In 1958, while he was an airman first class, his commanding officer recommended him for an early honorable discharge. “In summary, this airman, although talented, will not be guided by policy,” chief of information services Colonel William S. Evans wrote to the Eglin personnel office. “Sometimes his rebel and superior attitude seems to rub off on other airmen staff members.”
His books of letters from that time are well worth reading if you’re interested in that time in his life, very interesting.
I will have to find them, thanks.
The book is called The Proud Highway: Saga of a Desperate Southern Gentleman, I should have mentioned that before!
And it’s followed by Fear and Loathing in America: The Brutal Odyssey of an Outlaw Journalist