I have received Col Maclean's book, "American Hangman" MSgt John C Woods. The book will take me some time to read through, but I have already noted several pertinent facts refuting Dietrich's claims that his father reported to the US Navy and "local LE" that Woods was raping children.
One is especially damning: The fact that Woods was age 17 when he joined the US Navy in 1929. The details of his enlistment and subsequent efforts to avoid deployment and capture when going AWOL are surprisingly well documented by the National Archives.
But the other facts regarding Dietrich's father show he was born in 1919 - so he would have been 10 years old in 1929. Woods issues were occurring near San Diego. CA at the time and contrary to modern internet stories was not given a "Dishonorable Discharge".
Once again, there is a gaping hole in Dietrich's story. How is it that a 10-year-old living in upstate NY in 1929 could report Wood's "raping of children" to the Navy and local LE in San Diego, California?
Woods attempted to flee using railroads and was captured by local LE who were rewarded 50.00. He was detained for 72 hours until the Navy could retrieve him and transport him back to CA. He was evaluated further and simply processed out of the US Navy.
MacLean has everything, obtained from the National Archives.