Famous Veteran :James Arness

https://www.usni.org/news-and-features/gunsmoke-actor-military-vet-james-arness-dies-at-age-88 ^ | archive | usnavalinstitute

[eastforker]

James Arness, a World War II veteran beloved by millions for his iconic portrayal of Marshal Matt Dillon on the long-running Western TV series “Gunsmoke,” died June 3 after a long illness.

At 6 foot 7 inches, Arness was, quite literally, a big star, towering over even the likes of his good friend and Hollywood mentor John Wayne. But it was that same impressive height that prevented Arness from fulfilling his dream of being a naval aviator in World War II—he was simply too tall for cockpit duty. As a soldier in the 7th Regiment of the U.S. Army’s Third Infantry Division, Arness took part in the storming of Anzio in 1944. He was severely wounded in the leg by German machine-gun fire, receiving the Purple Heart and an injury that would plague him for the rest of his days. Arness also was awarded the Bronze Star, the Good Conduct Medal, and the European-Mideast Campaign Medal.

[eastforker]

Please see post 17.

[HANG THE EXPENSE]

Damn, I had no idea.

[tired&retired]

And Miss Kitty never reeled him in.

[chb]

Have you done Don Adams?

[Carriage Hill]

First sentence is badly written and incomplete wo/ 2011 date.

[eastforker]

Adding to my list.

[eastforker]

Sue me!

[Leaning Right]

> Who was better Chester or Festus? <

Chester was, in my opinion, the more interesting and complex character. He had a limp that was evidently due to a Civil War wound. But he refused to talk about it. And Chester was very, very hesitant to use a gun. Again, that was probably due to his Civil War experiences.

But I will give Festus points for one thing. His verbal feuding with Doc was quite entertaining.

[GOPJ]

Hollywood wasn’t always a trash... thanks for the memory...

[Leaning Right]

> I will get him and many others, just started this. <

Just a suggestion, but Bea Arthur would make an interesting post. She was in the United States Marine Corps Women's Reserve during WW II.

[fidelis]

For the record: Marshal (as in “Marshal Matt Dillion” and “Fire Marshal” ) has only one L.

When it is used as a name (like “the Marshall Plan” or “the Marshall Tucker Band”), it has two L’s.

Sincerely,

A Fire Marshal

[eastforker]

Yes, she is and will be included, there are many to be mentioned.

[Hoosier-Daddy]

And an outstanding carrot

[bigbob]

I enjoy listening to “Gunsmoke” on Sirius XM Radio Classics where William Conrad played Matt Dillon. But I always visualize the character as James Arness in my theater of the mind.

[stevem]

I believe he also grew up im my hometown: Minneapolis MN

[BurrOh]

I like very much having posts of our famous veterans. Thank you for doing this. Brings back memories and also information I did not know, Please keep it up.

[Red Steel]

Audie Murphy was 5’5”.

[\/\/ayne]

3rd Division, huh?

1930s – United States Army Band and Chorus – Dog Face Soldier

I Wouldn’t Give A Bean
To Be A Fancy Pants Marine,
I’d Rather Be a Dogface Soldier Like I Am.
I Wouldn’t Trade My Old O.D.’s
For All The Navy’s Dungarees
For I’m The Walking Pride Of Uncle Sam;

On All The Posters That I Read It Says
"The Army Builds Men!"
So They’re Tearing Me Down To Build Me Over Again
I’m Just A Dogface Soldier
With A Rifle On My Shoulder
And I’ll Go From Casablanca to Bombay.

So Feed Me Ammunition,
Keep Me In My Old Division,
Your Dogfaced Soldier Boy's Okay.

[Mark17]

Who was better Chester or Festus?

Festus was a much better singer. 👍

[Federal46]

“The Thing” was the first movie I ever saw in a theater. I went with my aunt and my mother. It scared the fool out of me. It was a long time before I would even go in a dark room.