Film Stars in Military History
Alec Guinness (Star Wars) operated
A British Royal Navy landing craft on D-Day.
James Doohan ("Scotty" on Star Trek)
Landed in Normandy with the U S.Army on D-Day.
Donald Pleasance (The Great Escape) really was an R. A. F. Pilot who was shot down, held prisoner and tortured by the Germans.
David Niven was a Sandhurst graduate and
Lt. Colonel of the British Commandos in Normandy ..
James Stewart Entered the Army Air Force
As a private and worked his way to the rank of Colonel.
During World War II, Stewart served as a bomber
Pilot, his service record crediting him with leading
More than 20 missions over Germany , and
Taking part in hundreds of air strikes during his tour of duty.
Stewart earned the Air Medal, the Distinguished Flying
Cross, France's Croix de Guerre,and 7 BattleStars during World War II.
In peace time, Stewart continued to be an active
Member of the Air Force as a reservist, reaching
The rank of Brigadier General before retiring in the late 1950s
Clark Gable (Mega-Movie Star when war broke out)
Although he was beyond the draft age at the time the
U.S. Entered WW II, Clark Gable enlisted as
A private in the AAF on Aug. 12, 1942 at Los Angeles.
He attended the Officers' CandidateSchool at
Miami Beach , Fla.and graduated as a second lieutenant on Oct. 28, 1942 .
He then attended aerial gunnery school and in Feb. 1943
He was assigned to the 351st Bomb Group at Polebrook
Where he flew operational missions over Europein B-17s.
Capt. Gable returned to the U.S. In Oct. 1943 and was relieved
From active duty as a major on Jun. 12, 1944 at his
Own request, since he was over-age for combat.
Charlton Heston was an Army
Air Corps Sergeant in Kodiak.
Ernest Borgnine was a U. S.
Navy Gunners Mate 1935-1945.
Charles Durning was a U. S.
Army Ranger at Normandy
Earning a Silver Star and awarded the Purple Heart.
Charles Bronson was a tail gunner
In the Army Air Corps, more specifically on B-29's in the 20th Air Force out of Guam, Tinian, and Saipan
George C. Scott was
A decorated U. S.Marine.
Eddie Albert (Green Acres TV)
Was awarded a Bronze Star for his heroic action as a U. S.Naval officer aiding Marines at the horrific battle on the
Islandof Tarawain the Pacific Nov. 1943.
Brian Keith served as a U.S. Marine rear gunner in several actions against the
Japanese on Rabal in the Pacific.
Lee Marvin was a U.S. Marine on Saipan during the Marianas campaign when he was
Wounded earning the Purple Heart.
John Russell: In 1942, he
Enlisted in the Marine Corps where he received a battlefield commission and was wounded and highly decorated for valor at Guadalcanal ..
Robert Ryan was a U. S. Marine
Who served with the O. S. S. In Yugoslavia .
Tyrone Power (an established
Movie star when Pearl Harbor was bombed) joined the U.S. Marines, was a pilot flying supplies into, and wounded Marines out of, Iwo Jima and Okinawa.
Audie Murphy, little 5'5" tall 110 pound
Guy from Texas who played cowboy parts :
Most Decorated serviceman of WWII and earned: Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, 2 Silver Star Medals, Legion of Merit, 2 Bronze Star Medals with "V", 2 Purple Hearts, U.S. Army Outstanding Civilian Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, 2 Distinguished Unit Emblems, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with One Silver Star, Four Bronze Service Stars (representing nine campaigns) and one Bronze Arrowhead (representing assault landing at Sicily and Southern France) World War II Victory Medal Army of Occupation Medal with Germany Clasp, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Marksman Badge with Rifle Bar, Expert Badge with Bayonet Bar, French Fourragere in Colors of the Croix de Guerre, French Legion of Honor, Grade of Chevalier, French Croix de Guerre With Silver Star, French Croix de Guerre with Palm, Medal of Liberated France, Belgian Croix de Guerre 1940 Palm.