Habitat for Humanity recipient lied about being vet, Navy Seal

John Smith, who is acquiring a house through Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity in Oklahoma City, said Monday that he made up a past as a Navy Seal who was imprisoned when his helicopter was shot down during the Vietnam War.

Smith, his wife, Anthanetta, their house at 322 N Allen, and the volunteer work of the Tinker Top-3 organizations at Tinker Air Force Base, were featured Saturday on the cover of The Oklahoman's weekly Real Estate Magazine. Veterans and P.O.W. watchdog organization soon questioned Smith's claims.

Smith told The Oklahoman on Monday afternoon that he didn't know why he made up the story.

"I apologize,” he said.

His confession surprised both Ann Felton, who heads Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity, and Master Sgt. Bernard Anderson, who has led the Tinker volunteers who are building the home.

Felton said that when the Smiths applied to participate in Habitat, John Smith wrote that he served in the U.S. Navy. Sometime later, Smith told Habitat's volunteer coordinator that his service in Vietnam was more lengthy and heroic than it actually was, Felton said.

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