Interestingly enough, Gene Roddenberry, best know for "Star Trek" was involved in writing/directing many of these early series.
Here's a clip from an episode of "West Point Story" with Leonard Nemoy
Many who later on became stars appeared in these series; among them Steve McQueen, Robert Vaughn, Robert Culp
There were many series over the years, some hits, some not so.
Combat! followed an infantry squad battling across Europe. It ran for 6 years ( three times as long as it took to actually defeat Germany) There was another series, it ran about the same time.. that depicted US troops in the Italian campaign..but for the life of me I can't remember the name.
Twelve O'Clock High ran for almost 3 years. It told the story of the 8th USAAF in the war. The problem for me was that it could never even come close to the film on which it was based; which many consider to be among the finest war movies ever made, both for its depiction of combat, and the psychological strains it places on the troops.
And of course, there were the shows that portrayed the lighter side of military life. The Phil Silvers Show gave us many memorable characters, among them Sgt. Bilko, and Pvt. Doberman. All the episodes can be seen on YouTube..but here's a great 3 minute clip featuring Fred Gwynne who went on to stardom in two classic comedies, "The Munsters" and "Car 54, Where Are You?"
I had two favorites, at different stages of my life.
Hennesey was a comedy about a peacetime Navy doctor. It starred Jackie Cooper, but I watched it because it also had the gorgeous Abby Dalton, my first prepubescent fantasy. Happily, many of the episodes are also on YouTube.
The other series that I enjoyed, and significantly impacted my life, was The Lieutenant It ran from 63-64, and portrayed the life of a new minted Marine LT is peacetime. Only problem, it wasn't actually peacetime in 63-64. The show was cancelled after one year, likely a victim of the growing unpopularity of the Vietnam War. Here's a 3 minute clip and it also features Leonard Nemoy. Gene Roddenberry also worked on the series. All the episodes are available on YouTube.
Anyways, the show made an impact on me, so much so that a few years later I was off to Quantico for my first summer of PLC.
Hope y'all have enjoyed this little trip down memory lane. There are so many great series ( I expect to see the "JAG" fans piling on soon.
Please add your own favorites, and please do post links to clips if you have them.
Combat with Vic Morrow. Hands down best!
I always enjoyed “Black Sheep Squadron”.
“The Rat Patrol” was my fave.
F Troop
“The Gallant Men” is also available on dvd. Starred William Reynolds and Robert McQueeney.
I watched The Lieutenant as a kid. Thought it was a great show. Remember most of the others you listed.
Currently The Last Ship isn’t bad. It has some major logic/science flaws here and there, but it seems to be respecting the military so far.
Am I gonna get flamed if I say ‘M*A*S*H’?
I saw the question, thought of "Combat" and then I find that the first two responses include the same.
I was even ready with the LINK.
I would also include "12 o'clock High" and "Black Sheep Squadron."
I remember watching these with my mom.
Noticed that anti-war Vietnam War screed set in the Korean War, “Mash” is not mentioned.
Hogan’s Heroes - what else?
I love Hogan’s Heroes. Yes, it’s farcical. No, it truly isn’t a funny show that makes you laugh. I just really like it. Every now and again it had some surprising historical accuracies and what ifs.
Black Sheep Squadron/Baa Baa Black Sheep pretty crappy show overall. Some historical accuracy but damn, I just love watching Corsairs fly that I have to view it if its on.
MASH will be the ultimate military themed series until the end of time. I can see no other show with the societal impact it had ever again.
Combat!
“A-Team”
Just kidding...
My actual vote...”Combat”.
‘Tour of Duty’ (87-90) was pretty decent. Every time I hear ‘Paint it Black’ I think of the start of that show ..
5.56mm
My dad’s favorite was Victory at Sea. The soundtrack is beautiful. As for me, I’d have to say it is The World at War. It was a 26 episode British production and was a gripping, concise history of World War II. I don’t remember which network aired it but I think it was probably PBS during the seventies. It was life-altering for me. No child should be allowed to graduate without seeing this series.
Right now, “The Last Ship”. Love Adam Baldwin as the XO. “Find me something to shoot!”
Rat Patrol