Marine Wrongly Identified as Powerball Winner Makes Awkward Return to Unit

Camp Pendleton, CA - An Oceanside, California, based Marine is trying to make amends with fellow platoon members after a less than desirable exit last week.

Lance Corporal Johnson incorrectly believed that he had won the Powerball lottery after a night of hard drinking and "reading the numbers upside down."

Most people would have taken the time in the morning to confirm their suspicions, but Johnson was convinced that he had won the overall prize, worth over a billion dollars.

"I remember him knocking on my hatch that night telling me to go 'fuck myself,'" a fellow squad member stated.

"He was out of control. Frankly we were all hoping he really had won so he would leave us alone."

The Marine's Platoon commander is less than thrilled with the departure; "I called LCpl Johnson the next morning to see if it was true, that he had won the lottery," Second Lieutenant Smith stated.

"All he had to say was, 'Fuck you. I'm rich. I don't have to listen you any more, jackass.'"

It wasn't until later in the week when Johnson got around to visiting the lottery office that he discovered the numbers didn't quite match up.

"Sadly this happens all the time. People see the numbers and just want to believe they match so badly," a state lottery representative stated.

"I remember the young man coming in with what he thought was a winning ticket, only to realize he was going to have to go back empty handed."

A last minute leave request was denied following the outburst.

"I wasn't about to reward this guy after that kind of fallout. He really needs to come back in and face the Marines," Johnson's Platoon Sergeant said.

Ultimately, the command hopes that this can be a learning experience for the junior Marines in the unit. "Hip pocket classes" on the lottery and professional behaviour are planned in conjunction with weekend safety briefs this Friday.