A homeless Marine veteran who has made national news for using his last $20 to buy gas for a stranded woman did not complete his first enlistment contract and was discharged at the pay grade of E-1, Marine Corps Times has learned.

Johnny S. Bobbitt Jr. served as an ammunition technician from December 2002 until February 2004, according to the Marine Corps’ Manpower and Reserve Affairs office.

Bobbitt left the Marine Corps as a private, the service’s lowest rank. He was assigned to the E-1 pay grade four months before his discharge, according to his official Marine Corps personnel records.

It’s unclear why Bobbitt left the Marine Corps after only 14 months when most enlistment contracts require a four-year service commitment.

Corps officials declined to provide any information about the type of discharge that Bobbitt received. His last duty assignment was with 1st Battalion, 10th Marines at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He received the National Defense Service Medal during his time in the Marines.

His record shows no deployments despite serving at a time when tens of thousands of Marines were deploying to Iraq.

Bobbitt did not respond to requests for comment on Monday.

Johnny Bobbitt Jr. (right) served in the Marine Corps from December 2002 until February 2004. (GoFundMe screenshot)

Kate McClure, the woman for whom Bobbitt bought gas, started a GoFundMe campaign that has raised more than $381,000 so far to help Bobbitt buy a house and a truck.

“I wish that I could do more for this selfless man, who went out of his way just to help me that day,” McClure wrote on the GoFundMe page. “He is such a great guy, and talking to him each time I see him makes me want to help him more and more.”


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