Whether we like it or not, JB is canon, he was serving in the army at about that time. How long he survives once PCs get involved...that's another matter.
Can't remember if this is a tale about him or if it's me amalgamating stories but I'm sure he once claimed that he'd stopped World War Three because of something he did in Bosnia. Maybe he's been altering canon too.
Found it, just to prove I'm not delusional:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-11753050