Is my math wrong here?

[scout1067]

I read this admittedly humorous piece about a guy who was supposedly bitten in a sensitive place in jail suing the jail.  That is not what gets me, the article says that a. "In February 2007, Mr Solomon, a Vietnam veteran" and then later b. "Mr Solomon, 54."  Now unless my math is totally wrong this guy would have been 14 in 1970 and at best only 17 in 1973 when major combat operations ended in Vietnam.  I seriously doubt that this guy served in Vietnam, I wonder if he even served in the military.  My question is did the BBC reporter not do the math himself or did he just parrot what he received figuring it had to be right, it was a news piece.  I also wonder if this guy is claiming VA benefits and does not deserve them.  The article says he claims he has been treated for PTSD.  Perhaps this is another case of stolen valor and the guy is trying to claim veteran status in a bid for sympathy?

[Phidippides]

Couldn't he have served until 1975 when Saigon fell?  That would put him at 18 in that year.

[scout1067]

I suppose it is remotely possible he was an embassy guard.  All combat troops except for some SF guys (SOG and the like) were withdrawn in 1973.  That is why I call BS.