US & UK Veteran's Day Salute...

[RDRickster]

Today is Veteran's Day in the U.S. A time to give thanks to our service men and women. A time to honor their courage, dedication, and sacrafice. I thought that I would add some interesting facts about some of our Veterans that you may not be aware of...

Captain Kangaroo turned 76 this past summer, which is odd, because he's never looked a day under 76! It reminded me of the following story:

Some people have been a bit offended that the actor, Lee Marvin, is buried in a grave alongside 3 and 4 star generals at Arlington National Cemetery. His marker gives his name, rank (PVT) and service (USMC). Nothing else.

Here's a guy who was only a famous movie star who served his time, why the heck does he rate burial with these guys? Well, following is the amazing answer. I always liked Lee Marvin, but did not know the extent of his Marine Corps experiences...

In a time when many Hollywood stars served their country in the armed forces often in rear echelon posts where they were carefully protected, only to be trotted out to perform for the cameras in war bond promotions, Lee Marvin was a genuine hero. He won the Navy Cross at Iwo Jima. (There is only one higher Naval award... the Medal of Honor).

If that is a surprising comment on the true character of the man, he credits his sergeant with an even greater show of bravery during an interview with Johnny Carson from the Tonight Show. Here is the dialog...

Johnny said, "Lee, I'll bet a lot of people are unaware that you were
a Marine in the initial landing at Iwo Jima...and that during the course of that action you earned the Navy Cross and were severely wounded."

Lee said, "Yeah, yeah... I got shot square in the butt and they gave me the Cross for securing a hot spot about halfway up Suribachi...bad thing about getting shot up on a mountain is guys gettin' shot hauling you down. But, Johnny, at Iwo I served under the bravest man I ever knew. We both got the cross the same day, but what he did for his Cross made mine look cheap in comparison. That brave man actually stood up on Red beach and directed his troops to move forward and get the hell off the beach. Bullets flying by and mortar rounds landing everywhere and he stood there as the main target of gun fire so that he could get his men to safety. He did this on more than one occasion because his men's safety was more important than his own life. That Sergeant and I have been lifelong friends. When they brought me off Suribachi we passed the Sergeant and he lit a smoke and passed it to me, lying on my belly on the litter and said, where'd they get you Lee?' 'Well Bob...if
you make it home before me, tell Mom to sell the outhouse!' Johnny, I'm not lying. Sergeant Keeshan was the bravest man I ever knew. The
Sergeant's name is Bob Keeshan. You and the world know him as Captain
Kangaroo."

HERE ARE A FEW MORE EXAMPLES OF HOLLYWOOD'S TRUE HERO'S...

In contrast to the ideals, opinions and feelings of today's "Hollywonk," the real actors of yester-year loved the United States. They had both class and integrity. With the advent of World War many of our actors went to fight rather than stand and rant against this country we all love. They gave up their wealth, position and fame to become service men & women, many as simple "enlisted men". This page lists but a few, but from this group of only 18 men came over 70 medals in honor of their valor, spanning from Bronze Stars, Silver Stars, Distinguish Service Cross', Purple Hearts and one Congressional Medal of Honor. So remember; while the "Entertainers of 2003" have been in all of the news media lately (for it seems News Paper, Television and Radio has been more than ready to put them and their anti-American, anti-Bush message before the public) I would like to remind the people of what the entertainers of 1943 were doing, (60 years ago). Most of these brave men have since passed on.

http://www.palletmastersworkshop.com/guiness.jpg

Alec Guinness (Star Wars) operated a British Royal Navy landing craft on D-Day.

http://www.palletmastersworkshop.com/doohan.jpg

James Doohan ("Scotty" on Star Trek) landed in Normandy with the U. S. Army on D-Day.

http://www.palletmastersworkshop.com/pleasance.jpg

Donald Pleasance (The Great Escape) really was an R. A. F. pilot who was shot down, held prisoner and tortured by the Germans.

http://www.palletmastersworkshop.com/niven.jpg

David Niven was a Sandhurst graduate and Lt. Colonel of the British Commandos in Normandy.

http://www.palletmastersworkshop.com/stewart.jpg

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 Battle Stars 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.

http://www.palletmastersworkshop.com/gable.jpg

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' Candidate School 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 Polebro! ok where flew operational missions over Europe in 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.

CONTINUED BELOW...

http://www.palletmastersworkshop.com/heston.jpg

Charlton Heston was an Army Air Corps Sergeant in Kodiak.

http://www.palletmastersworkshop.com/borgnine.jpg

Earnest Borgnine was a U. S. Navy Gunners Mate 1935-1945.

http://www.palletmastersworkshop.com/durning.jpg

Charles Durning was a U. S. Army Ranger at Normandy earning a Silver Star and awarded the Purple Heart.

http://www.palletmastersworkshop.com/bronson.jpg

Charles Bronson was a tail gunner in the Army Air Corps, more specifically on B-29s in the 20th Air Force out of Guam, Tinian, and Saipan.

http://www.palletmastersworkshop.com/scott.jpg

George C. Scott was a decorated U. S. Marine.

http://www.palletmastersworkshop.com/albert.jpg

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 island of Tarawa in the Pacific Nov. 1943.

CONTINUED BELOW...

http://www.palletmastersworkshop.com/keith.jpg

Brian Keith served as a U.S. Marine rear gunner in several actions against the Japanese on Rabal in the Pacific.

http://www.palletmastersworkshop.com/marvin.jpg

Lee Marvin was a U.S. Marine on Saipan during the Marianas campaign when he was wounded earning the Purple Heart.

http://www.palletmastersworkshop.com/russell.jpg

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.

http://www.palletmastersworkshop.com/ryan.jpg

Robert Ryan was a U. S. Marine who served with the O. S. S. in Yugoslavia.

http://www.palletmastersworkshop.com/power.jpg

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.

http://www.palletmastersworkshop.com/murphy.jpg

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.

So how do you feel the real heroes of the silver screen acted when compared to the hollywonks today who spray out anti-American drivel as they bite the hand that feeds them? Can you imagine these stars of yester-year saying they hate our flag, making anti-war speeches, marching in anti-American parades and saying they hate our president? I thought not, neither did I!

[Genghis the Engineer]

Nice post RDR

A few weeks ago I happened to meet at a Royal Aeronautical Society meeting an elderly gentleman wearing a lapel badge that I didn't recognise. It consisted of a pair of wings with a small ring of what looked like barbed wire around it. I asked him what it was, the ensuing conversation - all in a very matter-of-fact tone (from his side anyhow) went something like this..

Him: "It's the Royal Air Forces ex-POW's association badge"

Me: "Oh, what happened"

Him: "Well it was like this, before the war I was working on the design of unmanned aircraft, then it started and I joined up before anybody realised I was in a reserved occupation"

Me: "So, you joined to fly"

Him: "Well I tried, but they wouldn't let me because of my radio skills, they made me become a radio specialist"

Me: "So you worked on design work?"

Him: "No, I found myself flying to France quite a lot setting up communications for the resistance".

Me: "So you got caught?"

Him: "Well sort of, the first 25 trips went okay, then we got shot down on the way back from the 26th. The Germans found my personalised parachute, which was a present from the founder of GQ - a friend of mine - and thought it was a bit suspicious" (bares teeth, several gaps in front row) "the Gestapo removed this whilst they were trying to persuade me to explain what I was doing, but they didn't get anything, so got fed up and sent me to a POW camp".

Me: "And you spent the rest of the war there?"

Him: "No, I didn't enjoy it very much so I escaped and crossed the Russian lines. They wouldn't send me home, so I spent a year fighting with the red army"

Me: "And then you came home?"

Him: "No, as the cold war started I got shut in a Russian POW camp, eventually they exchanged me back for some Cossack deserters - I think that they got shot. I got home in 1948, went back into the RAF and stayed in until I was 55"

Me: "So, did you ever make pilot?"

Him: "no"


I can't honestly think of any fictional character who came close to what I heard from this unassuming elderly hero that evening in a 20 minute conversation.

G

[B Sousa]

RDR Good one for sure. There is also a book out on the famous guys from Hollywood who served in the Marines. We have a copy of it at the Marine Corps league in La$ Vega$. By the way it was a great party, See thread below.

[RDRickster]

The following site is a great tribute to Veteran's everywhere. It takes a few minutes to load, but it is well worth the wait...

http://www.gcsdistributing.com/WeSupportU.htm

As we celebrate the heros of today, we must remember the heros of our past. For the Vietnam Veteran, we will never forget you...

http://www.gcsdistributing.com/ToOurParents.htm


(Edited to correct URL. Also, I have no affiliation w/ GCS Distributing.)

[CyclicRick]

Meeting someone like that can be a most humbling experience.
I met an old chap at my cousins wedding a few years back. We got talking and I mentioned that I was ex-AAC. That started him off praising the Glider Pilots Regiment who flew him into Arnheim in 1944. He was an ex-Para, and had nothing but respect for those men. A wonderful man with an enchanting personality. It was utterly fascinating to talk to someone who actually took part in an operation like that.
These men get my 2 minutes silence and donation to the poppy appeal every year without fail not to mention my admiration and respect.
When we say we remember them, it's nice to actually KNOW a name to remember ( he might even be still with us but nevertheless) and not just an anonymous number of men and women.
My father fought in Korea with the Staffordshire Regiment, never talked about it or mentioned it more than once or twice, I still wonder what he went through.

[NickLappos]

Thanks for starting this great thread, RDRickster!

I am always reminded that the typical American sees John Wayne as a hero, and Wayne never prevented that image from spreading. Few know that he actually wrote his draft board right after Pearl Harbor, asking for an exemption because he was the sole support of his family, and it was granted. It is so disappointing to me to see publicity shots of Wayne with a uniform on, and know that heros like those you so aptly described must have been able to see through the hypocracy. Thanks for reminding us!

I could mention a certain former fighter pilot who couldn't find any target more dangerous than the lounge at Hobby Airport, while a few hundred thousand of his contemporaries were enlisting and fighting in Vietnam, but I won't. Of course, his older mentor and vice-hero also never served a day in uniform, either. Sad that both are the biggest hawks we have.

Oh well.

[RDRickster]

Even though the Duke never served in uniform, he is the only civilian to be awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. It was an Honorary award, but was passed by vote in the Congress and he received all the same benefits that actual CMH recipients get (free on-post housing for life, free medical care for life, an automatic appointment to West Point for the oldest male, etc).

He was awarded this for his volunteer work and for assisting with the military's image in Hollywood. At a time when it was very unpopular, the Duke made movies that told the G.I.'s story and he even funded most of that himself. In many ways, he was probably the best propaganda machine in the U.S. Bob Hope never served in uniform either, but his contributions to G.I.'s over the last century can't be measured.

P.S. The others you mention - I can't disagree there.

[OFBSLF]

Nick:

I have to agree with you about the Duke. Particularly when you have the counter example provided by an actor who co-starred with him on several occasions -- General Jimmy Stewart. Stewart undoubtedly could have gotten himself assigned to do USO tours, bond tours, etc. Instead, he flew bomber raids over Germany. The loss percentage of the bomber crews in WWII was horriffic.

[NickLappos]

OFBSLF,
The story is that Jimmy Stewart could not pass his draft physical, rejected on the spot for being underweight. He got back onto the end of the line after buying a fellow's coat. When he stepped on the scales the second time, the medic told him to take the coat off, and he said he needed it to pass!

While in the 8th AF, he volunteered for all the combat missions he could, just to prove that he was a real airman.


RD, I know about that John Wayne medal, it makes it all even more of a joke. A certain future president wrote his draft board to get out of duty, and conservatives later blased him for it. If you are a conservative, you get a medal, or you get to land on an aircraft carrier after you duck the call. Neat rules, made up as you go along.