You must be thinking of Audie Murphy.
He was a terrible actor but his war record made him extremely popular nonetheless.
I am thinking of many actos who were real men. Of Jimmy Stewart, Lee Marvin, Clark Gable, many men who served in the military who were actors.
Many were heroes, medal winners in real life not play actors who wouldnt know right face from To the Rear March.
I cannot think of an actor today that has served his country.
He grew as an actor. Ever see (the first) “The Quiet American?”