Today I learned that Harland Sanders was never a military colonel. He never actually served in the military. Instead, Kentucky Governer Ruby Laffoon gave Harland Sanders the title of “Kentucky Colonel” in order to boost his political support. The whole “Colonel Sanders” branding is a sham designed to promote the state of Kentucky.


Disclaimer: I knew nothing about him until this moment other than his image at KFC restaurants.
A short wiki search comes up with Kentucky Colonel which is an order of merit given by the state of Kentucky. This is a real award given by Kentucky, and Sanders legitimately received it.