[Phlyer]

There are actors who were real heroes in World War II like Jimmy Stewart . . . But it is Wayne who is held up as the iconic image of the American who won World War II . . . Why should this be so?

John Wayne was too old to enlist on December 7th, 1941. He applied for direct commission as an officer since the age rule didn't apply, but they wanted him to make war films instead. So, despite being told he was to 'serve' in Hollywood, John Wayne, as Marion Mitchell Morrison, applied to join the OSS in WWII. His desire to serve was a great as any man's.

I learned the last bit - about the OSS - while visiting the National Archives in DC. They have the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution up in the center of the main hall, but there are other documents on display as well. Some of them, like the Congressional Record opened to a resolution introduced by Davy Crockett are records of things the US government has done, but some of them are records the government has that are more for social interest.

One of them that they displayed for a while was John Wayne's application to join the OSS. In the section on special skills, it says, "I can ride and I can shoot." It is typed, and has a whole section with strike throughs because it was in the wrong place. The content is repeated in the right section. It's obviously the genuine article, as was the man.

Even aside from the propaganda or morale value of his wartime films, I think John Wayne was a genuine patriot and as courageous as those who served in other ways. He deserves a place as an American hero.

[piroque]

Even aside from the propaganda or morale value of his wartime films, I think John Wayne was a genuine patriot and as courageous as those who served in other ways. He deserves a place as an American hero.

The propaganda films made during the war went a long way towards the moral support the American people needed , Watched The film Hollywood canteen a few months ago on the TCM channel,it was great to see all the actors showing their support for the troops.

[IronJack]

I think John Wayne’s birth name was Marion MICHAEL Morrison. Although I’ve also seen his middle name given as Robert or Mitchell.

[miss marmelstein]

Despite what you have written, Pappy Ford made Wayne’s life miserable because he didn’t serve. Ford was possibly America’s greatest film director but such a bastard!