POTUS was in the middle of his speech Thursday when  he started to talk about the U.S. Army's success during its storied history. It started okay, as Trump took everyone back to 1775 ... "The continental Army suffered a bitter winter of Valley Forge, found glory across the waters of the Delaware and seized victory from Cornwallis at Yorktown." Then, the huge OOPS.

And, then he re-crafted historical facts and, for sure, technology with this ... "Our Army manned the air, it rammed the ramparts, it took over airports, it did everything it had to do and at Ft. McHenry under the rocket's red glare had nothing but victory."

Here's what's bizarre ... it seems 45 didn't stray from the teleprompter -- is it possible??? Critics pounced with astonishment, maybe mixed with a little secret delight.