Episode 305: The Great Imposter
Ferdinand Wald Demara didn't like his life, so he decided to live someone else's. Over the next 44 years, he was a Monk, a Soldier, a Sailor, a College Professor, and even a Ship's Surgeon. While pretending to be the Ship's Surgeon, with hardly any medical training, he performed many operations on both crew and prisoners. All of his patients survived. After being discovered as a fraud, he became a Prison Guard, soon being promoted to Assistant Warden. He taught school and set up a college. Later in life, Demara became a Counselor for those in desperate situations. In his final days, he served as a Chaplin. I'll also give a brief account on another imposter, named Frank Abagnale Jr.