Posted on 06/22/2018 8:33:37 PM PDT by 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.
(Excerpt) Read more at usni.org ...
What a great example for the American male. Thank you, Marshall Dillon.
The age mentioned in the link is wrong-—.
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According to IMDB he died June 3, 2011, age 88.
One of the cool folks for sure, true patriot. The monster in ‘The thing from another world.’ He would take lunch and drive around with the make-up on, which was bright green I guess. He must have been shot 60+ times in the right shoulder alone on Gunsmoke. The scar tissue should have been like Kevlar at some point.
Freegards
Who was better Chester or Festus?
Take that up with the US Naval Institute.
Ms. Kitty died of AIDS at age 59.
IIRC, he was "The Thing" in the first version of that movie.
Now, we have runts like Cruise. Damon, and K. Sutherland.
All good things end, but so soon? Runts and metrosexuals now are the norm for male actors. Clint Eastwood is one of the few remaining.
Yes, a famous veteran!
I started posting a few days ago histories of veterans of the best greatest generation, I should have waited till after midnight to post this I guess.
His brother Peter Graves also served in WWII.
It is way close. Festus eventually was made into a clown or caricature, I guess. But that is only because he lasted so much longer and the later Gunsmokes became general garbage. I dig the Killer Shrews, but I dig the heck out of Duel too. I wish the both had more work. Ken Curtis could really sing, I think. I think Weaver was a better pure actor maybe. Never saw that sheriff TV show he was in.
Freegards
I plan on posting many great veterans histories in the future.
“Take that up with the US Naval Institute.”
The age was wrong for being on the beach at Anzio-—upon further research I found out he died SEVEN years ago-——so the article is quite old and the age was correct——in 2011.
.
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Don’t forget George Gobel.
https://youtu.be/efHVcgUajtA
Dude, the focus is famous veterans, yes he has been gone for a while, we know this.
Arness had a supporting role in the 1949 classic “Battleground”.
Her died in 2011, according to Wiki and all other sources I can find.
https://www.google.com/search?client=opera&q=James+Arness&sourceid=opera&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8
I will get him and many others, just started this.
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