During a commencement speech at the Military Academy at West Point, New York, President Joe Biden made a statement that has sparked confusion and raised questions about its accuracy. Addressing graduating cadets, Biden claimed he had been appointed to the Naval Academy at the age of 29, an assertion that seems implausible given his age and the context.
Biden stated, “I was appointed by a fella I ran against when I was 29 years old to the Naval Academy. I was one of ten, I wanted to play football.” He continued, describing how a classmate who was also appointed came to pick him up for an interview. Biden recounted discovering that the Academy already had a star quarterback, Roger Staubach, and a talented halfback, Joe Bellino, (calling him, Joe Molina who played soccer) which influenced his decision not to pursue the appointment and instead attend the University of Delaware.
The President’s story is problematic for several reasons. First, Biden would have been 29 in 1972, an age significantly older than typical college freshmen. Additionally, Biden’s reference to Staubach and Bellino, both celebrated Naval Academy athletes, does not align with the timeline since Staubach graduated in 1965 and Bellino in 1961, long before Biden would have considered attending.
Biden has previously made similar claims, including in a speech to U.S. Naval Academy graduates in 2022. He mentioned that Delaware Senator J. Caleb Boggs, whom he ran against in 1972, had tried to secure his appointment to the Naval Academy seven years prior. This would place the supposed appointment around 1965, when Staubach was still at the Academy, yet it remains unclear how this aligns with Biden’s personal and political timeline.
These repeated assertions have led to growing scrutiny and calls for clarity. Critics argue that such statements raise concerns about the President’s memory and the accuracy of his recollections. Meanwhile, supporters suggest the anecdotes are meant to emphasize his long-standing connection to the military and the importance of service, rather than to be taken as literal accounts.
The Biden Administration has not yet addressed these discrepancies directly, leaving many questions unanswered. As the President continues to share his experiences and life stories, the public and media will undoubtedly remain attentive, seeking consistency and accuracy in his narratives.
