A little credit where a lot of credit has been overlooked-

[Bad Water Bill]

A friend just sent this list and it includes many folks I never heard mentioned before.

All of these folks put their careers on hold to keep us free.

Yes it was a GREAT GENERATION.:drinks:

Stewart Hayden, US Marines and OSS. Smuggled guns into Yugoslavia and parachuted into Croatia.

James Stewart, US Army Air Corps. Bomber pilot who rose to the rank of General.

Ernest Borgnine, US Navy. Gunners Mate 1c, destroyer USS Lamberton.

Ed McMahon, US Marines. Fighter Pilot. (Flew OE-1 Bird Dogs over Korea as well.)

Telly Savalas, US Army.

Walter Matthau, US Army Air Corps., B-24 Radioman/Gunner and cryptographer.

Steve Forrest, US Army. Wounded, Battle of the Bulge.

Jonathan Winters, USMC. Battleship USS Wisconsin and Carrier USS Bon Homme Richard. Anti-aircraft gunner, Battle of Okinawa.

Paul Newman, US Navy Rear seat gunner/radioman, torpedo bombers of USS Bunker Hill

Kirk Douglas, US Navy. Sub-chaser in the Pacific. Wounded in action and medically discharged.

Robert Mitchum, US Army.

Dale Robertson, US Army. Tank Commander in North Africa under Patton. Wounded twice. Battlefield Commission.

Henry Fonda, US Navy. Destroyer USS Satterlee.

John Carroll, US Army Air Corps. Pilot in North Africa. Broke his back in a crash.

Lee Marvin US Marines. Sniper. Wounded in action on Saipan. Buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Sec. 7A next to Greg Boyington and Joe Louis.

Art Carney, US Army. Wounded on Normandy beach, D-Day. Limped for the rest of his life.

Wayne Morris, US Navy fighter pilot, USS Essex. Downed seven Japanese fighters.

Rod Steiger, US Navy. Was aboard one of the ships that launched the Doolittle Raid.

Tony Curtis, US Navy. Sub tender USS Proteus. In Tokyo Bay for the surrender of Japan.

Larry Storch. US Navy. Sub tender USS Proteus with Tony Curtis.

Forrest Tucker, US Army. Enlisted as a private, rose to Lieutenant.

Robert Montgomery, US Navy.

George Kennedy, US Army. Enlisted after Pearl Harbor, stayed in sixteen years.

Mickey Rooney, US Army under Patton. Bronze Star.

Denver Pyle, US Navy. Wounded in the Battle of Guadalcanal. Medically discharged.

Burgess Meredith, US Army Air Corps.

DeForest Kelley, US Army Air Corps.

Robert Stack, US Navy. Gunnery Officer.

Neville Brand, US Army, Europe. Was awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart.

Tyrone Power, US Marines. Transport pilot in the Pacific Theater.

Charlton Heston, US Army Air Corps. Radio operator and aerial gunner on a B-25, Aleutians.

Danny Aiello, US Army. Lied about his age to enlist at 16. Served three years.

James Arness, US Army. As an infantryman, he was severely wounded at Anzio, Italy.

Efram Zimbalist, Jr., US Army. Purple Heart for a severe wound received at Huertgen Forest.

Mickey Spillane, US Army Air Corps, Fighter Pilot and later Instructor Pilot.

Rod Serling. US Army. 11th Airborne Division in the Pacific. He jumped at Tagaytay in the Philippines and was later wounded in Manila.

Gene Autry, US Army Air Corps. Crewman on transports that ferried supplies over "The Hump" in the China-Burma-India Theater.

Wiliam Holden, US Army Air Corps.

Alan Hale Jr, US Coast Guard.

Russell Johnson, US Army Air Corps. B-24 crewman who was awarded Purple Heart when his aircraft was shot down by the Japanese in the Philippines.

William Conrad, US Army Air Corps. Fighter Pilot.

Jack Klugman, US Army.

Frank Sutton, US Army. Took part in 14 assault landings, including Leyte, Luzon, Bataan and Corregidor.

Jackie Coogan, US Army Air Corps. Volunteered for gliders and flew troops and materials into Burma behind enemy lines.

Tom Bosley, US Navy.

Claude Akins, US Army. Signal Corps., Burma and the Philippines.

Chuck Connors, US Army. Tank-warfare instructor.

Harry Carey Jr., US Navy.

Mel Brooks, US Army. Combat Engineer. Saw action in the Battle of the Bulge.

Robert Altman, US Army Air Corps. B-24 Co-Pilot.

Pat Hingle, US Navy. Destroyer USS Marshall

Fred Gwynne, US Navy. Radioman.

Karl Malden, US Army Air Corps. 8th Air Force, NCO.

Earl Holliman. US Navy. Lied about his age to enlist. Discharged after a year when they Navy found out.

Rock Hudson, US Navy. Aircraft mechanic, the Philippines.

Harvey Korman, US Navy.

Aldo Ray. US Navy. UDT frogman, Okinawa.

Don Knotts, US Army, Pacific Theater.

Don Rickles, US Navy aboard USS Cyrene.

Harry Dean Stanton, US Navy. Served aboard an LST in the Battle of Okinawa.

Robert Stack, US Navy. Gunnery Instructor.

Soupy Sales, US Navy. Served on USS Randall in the South Pacific.

Lee Van Cleef, US Navy. Served aboard a sub chaser then a mine sweeper.

Clifton James, US Army, South Pacific. Was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star, and Purple Heart.

Ted Knight, US Army, Combat Engineers.

Jack Warden, US Navy, 1 938-1942, then US Army, 1 942-1945. 101st Airborne Division.

Don Adams. US Marines. Wounded on Guadalcanal, then served as a Drill Instructor.

James Gregory, US Navy and US Marines.

Brian Keith, US Marines. Radioman/Gunner in Dauntless dive-bombers.

Fess Parker, US Navy and US Marines. Booted from pilot training for being too tall, joined Marines as a radio operator.

Charles Durning. US Army. Landed at Normandy on D-Day. Shot multiple times. Awarded the Silver Star and Bronze Star and three Purple Hearts. Survived Malmedy Massacre.

Raymond Burr, US Navy. Shot in the stomach on Okinawa and medically discharged.

Hugh O'Brian, US Marines.

Robert Ryan, US Marines.

Eddie Albert, US Coast Guard. Bronze Star with Combat V for saving several Marines under heavy fire as pilot of a landing craft during the invasion of Tarawa.

Clark Gable, US Army Air Corps. B-17 gunner over Europe.

Charles Bronson, US Army Air Corps. B-29 gunner, wounded in action.

Peter Graves, US Army Air Corps.

Buddy Hackett, US Army anti-aircraft gunner.

Victor Mature, US Coast Guard.

Jack Palance, US Army Air Corps. Severely injured bailing out of a burning B-24 bomber.

Robert Preston, US Army Air Corps. Intelligence Officer

Cesar Romero, US Coast Guard. Coast Guard. Participated in the invasions of Tinian and Saipan on the assault transport USS Cavalier.

Norman Fell, US Army Air Corps., Tail Gunner, Pacific Theater.

Jason Robards, US Navy. was aboard heavy cruiser USS Northampton when it was sunk off Guadalcanal. Also served on the USS Nashville during the invasion of the Philippines, surviving a kamikaze hit that caused 223 casualties.

Steve Reeves, US Army, Philippines.

Dennis Weaver, US Navy. Pilot.

Robert Taylor, US Navy. Instructor Pilot.


Randolph Scott. Tried to enlist in the Marines but was rejected due to injuries sustained in US Army, World War 1.


Ronald Reagan. US Army. Was a 2nd Lt. in the Cavalry Reserves before the war. His poor eyesight kept him from being sent overseas with his unit when war came so he transferred to the Army Air Corps Public Relations Unit where he served for the duration.

John Wayne. Declared "4F medically unfit" due to pre-existing injuries, he nonetheless attempted to volunteer three times (Army, Navy and Film Corps.) so he gets honorable mention.

And of course we have Audie Murphy, America's most-decorated soldier, who became a Hollywood star as a result of his US Army service that included his being awarded the Medal of Honor.


Would someone please remind me again how many of today's Hollywood elite put their careers on hold to enlist in Iraq or Afghanistan?

The only one who even comes close was Pat Tillman, who turned down a contract offer of $3.6 million over three years from the Arizona Cardinals to enlist in the US Army after September, 11, 2001 and serve as a Ranger in Afghanistan, where he died in 2004. But rather than being lauded for his choice and his decision to put his country before his career, he was mocked and derided by many of his peers and the Left.


Ladies and Gentlemen, I submit to you that this is not the America today that it was many years ago. And I, for one, am saddened.

[Dean D.]

I have to agree with you Bill.

I was surprised to see that Jason Robards served on the USS Nashville at the same time as one of my Dad's older brothers.

Truly great citizens who stepped up when called. No "instant gratification" or "What's in it for me?" attitudes.

[Bzcraig]

There has indeed been a "changing of the guard," and not a good change.

[Bad Water Bill]

There was also a young man that served on a torpedo bomber and went swimming 2 times in the pacific.

Check out the name and see his military record as well.

George Herbert Walker Bush.

[uscra112]

Man, I would have loved to have been in a unit with Jonathan Winters. Nobody would have ever stopped laughing no matter what SNAFU was the order of the day!

And while it's not Hollywood, I want to put in a good word for Ted Williams, probably the greatest hitter of all time, except that he took time off at the peak of his career to fly Corsairs in WW2 and again in Korea.

[enfield]

I think Peter Graves and James Arness are brothers if I'm not mistaken.

[shooterg]

I was gonna mention Ted Williams, y'all beat me to it. Five years worth lost to the best hitter to ever pick up a bat, don't think he ever complained about it.
Not many like him and Tillman in this age.

[Garyshome]

Well how many of todays Hollywood stars could say anything like that?

[RED333]

Great post Bill, I have copied it to my local state forum.

[Bad Water Bill]

How many Hollywood clowns could possibly pass a military questionnaire for enlistment?

How many politicians UNDER the age of 60 have signed the big check?

[wv109323]

I don't think any generation had the patriotism that the WW2 generation had. Could you even imagine someone like Big Ears signing up in a national disaster like Pearl Harbor. America has sure changed over the last 70 years.

[smoked turkey]

Bill thanks for posting and listing the names of the great generation. They were truly first class Americans and boy do we need men and women today like those mentioned. I think a lot of the problem is the ones calling the shots today have never been in uniform. They are attempting to lead us militarily without the wisdom gained from being there and doing that.

[HarryT]

Johnny Cash and Chuck Norris were in the Air Force, Elvis was in the Army, Bob Keeshan (Capt Kangaroo) was in the Marines... lots of people left out.

[GaryN]

Thanks for posting that Bill. I was very interested to read about the people on the list. I had no idea. I knew some of them that had served but not all of those.

[Bad Water Bill]

Johnny Cash and Chuck Norris were in the Air Force, Elvis was in the Army, Bob Keeshan (Capt Kangaroo) was in the Marines... lots of people left out.

HarryT

My list is for the folks that actually served during WW2.

I am sure there were many more that answered the call and went into harms way.

Cast Boolits has a loooong list folks that also have stepped up but were not in WW2.

[MtGun44]

Great post, I was aware of many of them, but a lot were new to me.

Some are amazing, given their later characters. Like Bill
Conrad -- "Cannon" as a fighter pilot. :-) Some
folks gain a bit as the years roll by.

All have earned our respect, unlike the majority in Hollyweird today,
most have earned our derision for being worthless skunks.

Bill

[MaryB]

Current hollyweird actors are to busy making movies against the USA and the constitution to actually do something for the country.

[Lloyd Smale]

good post bill. Hard to find someone to help an old lady accross the road anymore let alone put there life on the line.

[w5pv]

Some of our heroes are spinning around in their graves over what some of their children/grandkids are are saying and doing.God bless their souls.

[472x1B/A]

There has indeed been a "changing of the guard," and not a good change.

WOW! You could not have said it any better Bz. Thank you.

[captaint]

Somewhere in recent history we hear the term "the me generation'. Pretty obvious how they got that handle. Oh, for a few real men. Great thread. Mike Great post Bill.

[Bret4207]

Sterling Hayden, not Stewart Hayden. Read up on him. He was the type of man John Waynes characters were modeled after.

Jack Palances faces looked like it did because that's the best they could do with reconstructive surgery back then.

I recently read that Ted Knight, (Ted Baxter on Mary Tyler Moore show) had 5 Bronze Stars.....FIVE! Supposedly that makes him one of the most decorated FOR VALOR men ever. Hard to say if its true or not. Anyone who's been int he military knows that a lot of the salad on a uniform is "I didn't get in trouble" awards. Some branches seem to give out a lot more of that than others. Actual awards for valor like Silver and Bronze Stars, Navy Crosses, stuff like that usually get earned the hard way.

[dragonrider]

A great list of good people. How many of you know who Alan Hale jr. was?

[Moonie]

My grandfather was a professional football player and a sparing partner for Joe Lewis, he and half his team quit the team and signed up. He gave up his dream and career to serve. None of you know him, but he was my hero, I am the man I am today thanks to him.

[MtGun44]

The Skipper, on Gilligan's Island, of course. His Dad was Doug Fairbanks, Jr's sidekick in many of his movies.

Alan Hale Jr looked EXACTLY like his father, so it is weird to see "The Skipper" in old 1920s & 1930s B&W
adventure movies looking exactly like he did in the 1960s TV series!

Bill

[EDG]

Look up Dan Rowan of Laugh In.
He shot down two enemy planes and was seriously injured in the crash of his own P-40

[bruce drake]

This current generation of veterans should be given some credence as well. Less than 1% of the United States' current overall population have volunteered to serve their nation in keeping Islamic Militants from destroying everything we have worked to maintain for our country. Many of their have done multiple tours overseas in nasty places to ensure others have the ability to drive to Starbucks and complain about the cost of the Venti Mocha Latte...
As we move into our 13th year of war, we have young men and women who remember the attacks on 9/11 but still step forward to defend our nation.

That said, When I was awarded my Last Bronze Star in Afghanistan, I was personally chewed out by my Division Commander because I originally refused to sign off on what I did to protect our convoy during a complex ambush attack. I considered it just doing my duty as an officer. He considered it a reason to be used to pass the message along the troops that he would recognize efforts above an beyond. He (the DC)had our Division Command Sergeant Major talk to all surviving patrol members without my noticing and then wrote the award and had it approved in 24 hours. I got pinned with the Bronze Star Medal with "V" device for Valor a week later when I came in from out in the field with my ANA counterparts...
I told MGen Terry that this award I would accept on behalf of my soldiers. He smiled and said he expected me to say that.

Bruce

[Col4570]

The list of Stars brings back many memories of men who where truly qualified to play parts that closely reflected their real life experiences.Look at for example Lee Marvin or Robert Ryan,they where so natural as if acting was just an extension of their former existence.Long may they all live in our thoughts.

[Bret4207]

This current generation of veterans should be given some credence as well. Less than 1% of the United States' current overall population have volunteered to serve their nation in keeping Islamic Militants from destroying everything we have worked to maintain for our country. Many of their have done multiple tours overseas in nasty places to ensure others have the ability to drive to Starbucks and complain about the cost of the Venti Mocha Latte...
As we move into our 13th year of war, we have young men and women who remember the attacks on 9/11 but still step forward to defend our nation.

That said, When I was awarded my Last Bronze Star in Afghanistan, I was personally chewed out by my Division Commander because I originally refused to sign off on what I did to protect our convoy during a complex ambush attack. I considered it just doing my duty as an officer. He considered it a reason to be used to pass the message along the troops that he would recognize efforts above an beyond. He (the DC)had our Division Command Sergeant Major talk to all surviving patrol members without my noticing and then wrote the award and had it approved in 24 hours. I got pinned with the Bronze Star Medal with "V" device for Valor a week later when I came in from out in the field with my ANA counterparts...
I told MGen Terry that this award I would accept on behalf of my soldiers. He smiled and said he expected me to say that.

Bruce

Bruce, I would say congratulations, but I don't think that word conveys what I mean. So I'll leave it at, "I'm honored to have had the opportunity to have known you a little and am proud of you and your troops."

Semper Fi!

[Bad Water Bill]

Bruce

I did not mean to say that those folks were the ONLY folks we should say THANK YOU to.

Each and every person that has signed the big check should never be forgotten.

I was sent this list by a D A V so i thought some of us older folks might be interested.

Thank you for your service sir.

[MaryB]

out of 13 nieces and nephews 6 are in the military so a few in my family are doing their part.

[TXGunNut]

Thanks for the post, Bill. Time will tell if our current crop of veterans have the stomach for Hollywierd or politics but I'll understand if they don't. The Vietnam vets I know are/were grateful to come home and try to resume their lives.
Times have changed, indeed.

[Thumbcocker]

IIRC Bob Keeshan and Lee Marvin crossed paths on Iwo Jima. When I think about "Captain Kangaroo" I am reminded of the line from the Emmylou Harris song "Spanish Johnny" "the hands so gentle to a child had killed so many men".

[shdwlkr]

Bill
How many of today's Hollywood types even enlisted when Vietnam was looking for individuals. When my number came up in the lottery I enlisted.

Oh that's right the New Demorat want to be in 2016 Husband did run to Canada and she has continued the act of cowardice she learned from him to this very day.

[Bad Water Bill]

Bill
How many of today's Hollywood types even enlisted when Vietnam was looking for individuals. When my number came up in the lottery I enlisted.

Oh that's right the New Demorat want to be in 2016 Husband did run to Canada and she has continued the act of cowardice she learned from him to this very day.

When I was growing up I lived,fished and hunted with a ton of that generation.

When I was active 1/2 of the squadron had been there including the coreman that landed on several islands with the Marines.

In the reserves My pilots flew bombers over Europe and the Pacific.

My plane captain was a tail gunner flying off of a carrier in the pacific.

Our Chaplain was torpedoed 3 times on the run to Russia.

One Marine relative has 11 holes in his body,speaks several oriental languages and was in Nam for many years but do NOT ask.

The brave folks from there I do or had known is a very long list.

I will never forget what any AND all who have served have done to keep us free and not having to learn another language.

I meant no disrespect to ANYONE that has ever stepped up.

Nor will I EVER do so.

When I saw that list it brought back a ton of memories that I thought older members here would enjoy and definitely meant no disrespect to you or any other vet.

[shdwlkr]

Bill
thanks for the list and the ability to see just why they were the greatest generation.
I am supposed to be related to one of those interesting people, his last name and my first name are the same and the reason I have the first name I do is to keep it going, my son shares my first name his is only in a different language as I didn't want him to be known as junior.

I worked with guys from WWII and Korea and even Vietnam and they all had one thing in common, they did what their country did when asked just like I did. Never saw it as a big deal more doing what was required to be in a free country. Now I wonder if we are still really free anymore.

[Moonie]

As I've mentioned before I do have a son that is one of Uncle Sams Misguided Children, serving a tour in Afghanistan now. He decided to become a Marine on 09/11/2001, he was 11. A far cry from the 6'4" man he is today.

[marlin39a]

Now that homosexual behavior is endorsed by current military regs you think all of Hollywood would enlist. Can you imagine Justin Bieber USMC?

[crazy mark]

I graduated from high school when I was 17. Me and another 17 year old joined the CG. a 20 year old also joined the CG. one of the 18 year old went into the Navy. None of us had low draft numbers or didn't have to sign up for the draft. This was out of 38 students in our class. Now they are lucky if one signs up for the military. I can't understand peoples attitudes any more. I also say thank you to the ones who served. My dad was Army in WW2 and my great uncles were Army air corp and Merchant Marine.

[shdwlkr]

My dad was a pilot and an Ag teacher when WWII broke out he went to enlist in the Army Air Corp but was turned down as he was and Ag teacher and they told him he was needed more here. Knowing my dad's personality and what being the military does for one I am glad they didn't let him go. Now me I wish I had gone to helicopter school and got me an Apache, would I be here now more than likely not, see if I had a bird, fuel and ammo and help was asked for it would have been delivered period. Yes I have talked to some that fly those birds and yes they agreed I would have been H*ll to deal with as long as I had a way to fight.

I don't see that much anymore in today's young people, sad the direction our nation is going. Now even at my old age if I could be honored and have a chance to do sea trials on the new PT boats that the navy will have I would jump at the chance to again be part of something so much bigger than I could ever be. A member of the United States Military, even once removed would be close enough and what a way to end one's life knowing that you helped to give the best to those that followed on those "devil boats" so named by those that had to deal with them in the south pacific.

[GLL]

Thank you !

Well done !

Jerry

[joesig]

How about Bob Hope who is the only honorary veteran?

[Col4570]

I went to Sea 12 years after WW2.Some of the guys I sailed with where veterans of the Russian convoys that where so vital to that theatre of war.One particular bloke had been sunk three times and fished out almost frozen.One trick they learned was to dunk their heads under water many times since the water was slightly warmer than the freezing outside air.The B P Tanker Company,who I worked for lost half of their fleet to U Boat action.Those guys rank amongst the most modest of heroes and I was proud to sail with them.

[JBinMN]

An "oldie but goodie" from the past I ran across...

Since it is just a week past Veterans Day 2018, I thought it worthy to post in this topic for others to read & perhaps reflect a bit on the contents.
;)

[woodbutcher]

:D Great post sir.Thank you.Knew of most mentioned but not all.Lee Marvin.All you had to do was observe the salute he gave in any movie.USMC all the way.
Now as for Ernie Borgnine he was sorta"Type cast" in McHales Navy.
Telly Savalas the same in Kellys Heros.He was in Shermans during WW2.Or so I read.
In another thread on another site they talked about aging veterans who they knew from WW2.I had the great honor to know two veterans who were veterans of WW2,Korea and Viet Nam.And I gotta tell ya,they had some heart breaking stories and some very funny ones to tell too when they felt like it.God bless all veterans and their families.Thank you all.
Leo

[shdwlkr]

As age and lasting memories from when I was a soldier slow me down I am left feeling like I should have done more, stayed in longer, let my injuries push me to stay. But it was not to be, today I sometimes get to talk with our new veterans and hear their stories. Many have scars that need help and so many times it isn't there for them. Many times that help is just to listen and let them know it is ok and that it is time to let go of feeling like they failed.
Once a week I sit with some old veterans and we talk. One new one has sometimes joined in he was airborne and because I went through airborne basic and AIT before ending up as a combat engineer instructor we have some common ground. Few will ever know what I did while I wore the uniform, all I will say is I did what my country asked and never did question why, yes it has left memories I would rather not have, but as so many of here know freedom has a high price that must be paid and it doesn't hurt to have a great love for Jesus Christ as when things really get tough he is there when maybe no one else is

[samari46]

A friend recently told me that this isn't the same America he fought for in Viet Nam all those long years ago. And I sadly agreed with him. Our so called movie stars are too bush running down this country and our so called politicians are a national disgrace. Frank

[Walks]

My Family has given all. We have lost MEN in every War since 1861.

I can't list them all. It's too painful. I grew up seeing it in the faces of both my Grandmother's, My Mother, My Aunt's.

The stories of Men I never got to know.

My Wife had 3 Much older sisters, some of their kids served.
None of the Great Nephews & Nieces served, almost all were old enough to serve in the WAR on TERROR.

Just my Boy Served, Lies next to His Grandfather in the L.A. National Cemetery.

Funny, on Holidays, all those fine strong healthy young men, avoid looking me in the Eye.

[Goatwhiskers]

If I may I'd like to add one more to the list: C. V. (Jack) Atkinson, not a movie star, but the greatest man in my life, my dad. Learned to fly early in his college days, then put everything on hold and became a flight instructor in the Air Force. He then served his time as a pilot in the ATC, flying the Hump India to China. He was blessed to come back to where he was raised to spend his life raising 3 kids and carrying the mail on a rural route to the folks he'd known all his life. I retired from the same route. Just a few funny stories, he didn't care to talk about those days. Only chance I've had to honor him, but I'm proud to do so. All that's left is a few pictures. Truly the greatest generation. GW

[lightman]

I knew about some of those guys but not all of them. Thanks for posting that list.