Wouldn’t someone already be aware if one shared the same hometown as someone as hugely famous as John Wayne to begin with? And then to mix the facts up with that horrific homosexual killer is a pretty darned embarrassing gaffe, to put it mildly.
You are right. If John Wayne was born in your town, you'd think they'd have a big statute and teach it in the schools and mention it at public events.
But if John Wayne Gacy was born in your town, I kinda think there wouldn't be any statutes or mentions in public speeches . . . . . .