Posted on 02/15/2005 12:36:23 PM PST by TexasTaysor
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE WW II MOVIE STARS - Eye opening
This a far different country today.
In contrast to the ideals, opinions and feelings of today's "Hollywonk" the real actors of yester-year loved the United States.
They had both class and integrity. With the advent of World War II many of our actors went to fight rather than stand and rant against this country we all love.
They gave up their wealth, position and fame to become service men & women, many as simple "enlisted men".
This page lists but a few, but from this group of only 18 men came over 70 medals in honor of their valor, spanning from Bronze Stars, Silver Stars, Distinguish Service Cross', Purple Hearts and one Congressional Medal of Honor.
So remember; while the "Entertainers of 2003" have been in all of the news media lately I would like to remind the people of what the entertainers of 1943 were doing, (60 years ago).
Most of these brave men have since passed on.
Real Hollywood Heroes
Alec Guinness (Star Wars) operated a British Royal Navy landing craft on D-Day.
James Doohan ("Scotty" on Star Trek) landed in Normandy with the U. S. Army on D-Day.
Donald Pleasance (The Great Escape) really was an R. A. F. pilot who was shot down, held prisoner and tortured by the Germans.
David Niven was a Sandhurst graduate and Lt. Colonel of the British Commandos in Normandy.
James Stewart Entered the Army Air Force as a private and worked his way to the rank of Colonel.
During World War II, Stewart served as a bomber pilot, his service record crediting him with leading more than 20 missions over Germany, and taking part in hundreds of air strikes during his tour of duty.
Stewart earned the Air Medal, the Distinguished Flying Cross, France's Croix de Guerre, and 7 Battle Stars during World War II.
In peace time, Stewart continued to be an active member of the Air Force as a reservist, reaching the rank of Brigadier General before retiring in the late 1950s.
Clark Gable (Mega-Movie Star when war broke out) Although he was beyond the draft age at the time the U.S. entered WW II, Clark Gable enlisted as a private in the AAF on Aug. 12, 1942 at Los Angeles.
He attended the Officers' CandidateSchool at Miami Beach, Fla. and graduated as a second lieutenant on Oct. 28, 1942.
He then attended aerial gunnery school and in Feb. 1943 he was assigned to the 351st Bomb Group at Polebrook where flew operational missions over Europe in B-17s.
Capt. Gable returned to the U.S. in Oct. 1943 and was relieved from active duty as a major on Jun. 12, 1944 at his own request, since he was over-age for combat.
Charlton Heston was an Army Air Corps Sergeant in Kodiak.
Earnest Borgnine was a U. S. Navy Gunners Mate 1935-1945.
Charles Durning was a U. S. Army Ranger at Normandy earning a Silver Star and awarded the Purple Heart.
Charles Bronson was a tail gunner in the Army Air Corps, more specifically on B-29s in the 20th Air Force out of Guam, Tinian, and Saipan
George C. Scott was a decorated U. S. Marine.
Eddie Albert (Green Acres TV) was awarded a Bronze Star for his heroic action as a U. S. Naval officer aiding Marines at the horrific battle on the island of Tarawa in the Pacific Nov. 1943.
Brian Keith served as a U.S. Marine rear gunner in several actions against the Japanese on Rabal in the Pacific.
Lee Marvin was a U.S. Marine on Saipan during the Marianas campaign when he was wounded earning the Purple Heart.
John Russell: In 1942, he enlisted in the Marine Corps where he received a battlefield commission and was wounded and highly decorated for valor at Guadalcanal.
Robert Ryan was a U. S. Marine who served with the O. S. S. in Yugoslavia.
Tyrone Power (an established movie star when Pearl Harbor was bombed) joined the U.S. Marines, was a pilot flying supplies into, and wounded Marines out of, Iwo Jima and Okinawa.
Audie Murphy, little 5'5" tall 110 pound guy from Texas who played cowboy parts?
Most Decorated serviceman of WWII and earned: Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, 2 Silver Star Medals, Legion of Merit, 2 Bronze Star Medals with "V", 2 Purple Hearts, U.S. Army Outstanding Civilian Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, 2 Distinguished Unit Emblems, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with One Silver Star, Four Bronze Service Stars (representing nine campaigns) and one Bronze Arrowhead (representing assault landing at Sicily and Southern France) World War II Victory Medal Army of Occupation Medal with Germany Clasp, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Marksman Badge with Rifle Bar, Expert Badge with Bayonet Bar, French Fourragere in Colors of the Croix de Guerre, French Legion of Honor, Grade of Chevalier, French Croix de Guerre With Silver Star, French Croix de Guerre with Palm, Medal of Liberated France, Belgian Croix de Guerre 1940 Palm.
So how do you feel the real heroes of the silver screen acted when compared to the hollywonks today who spray out anti-American drivel as they bite the hand that feeds them? Can you imagine these stars of yester-year saying they hate our flag, making anti-war speeches, marching in anti-American parades and saying they hate our president?
Believe it or not, they were all registered republicans.
Call 1-800-Leave-the-USA
I also think Robert Montgomery was doing something in the Navy; of course Gable's wife Carole Lombard was killed in early forty two selling war bonds, Frank Capra enlisted in the Army Signal Corp to make war time movies, winning an Academy Award for "THE NEGRO SOLDIER" which helped get the military desegregated; many lesser "B" stars also contributed GREATLY to the war cause. 'Twas a different world. Too bad we don't still live in it.
The 'registered Republicans' part sounds unlikely to me. In WWII DemonRats weren't the America-haters they are now.
I'll go with that. The 40's seemed like such a romantic and heroic era,all at once,and a man's word meant something.
When people held hands and kissed,it was a huge deal. I especially loved the nightclubs they had back then,with all the opulence and glamour of Hollywood,and people actually dressed up to go to them....Ahhhh.It had to have been great.
Or was it really like that? I know there was a war on, but I know from mom that the folks state side tried their utmost to keep morale up.
They left out the love of my life Gene Kelly -- he had just finished a film in which he was nominated for best actor (Anchors Aweigh). Louis B. Mayer pulled strings to get him out of the service...Gene pulled back and made sure he got IN and got SHIPPED! When he came back, MGM gave him the WORST rolls to punish him for it (and, of course, he later got even by being enormously wonderful in An American in Paris and Singin' In The Rain). And Gene was far left-leaning...isn't that interesting?
Is there any way to verify that they were all GOP? It would make powerful stuff for e-mails and talking points if it could be verified.
I don't know if there is a way to verify, but you're right it would be most interesting.
Don't forget band leader Glenn Miller...
While you're at it, don't forget that WWII was a unified effort and millions of Americans served. The Iraqi War/War Against Terrorism is not in the same league. I think you're comparing apples and hex bolts.
Don't forget band leader Glenn Miller...
While your at it, don't forget that WWII was a unified effort and millions of Americans served. The Iraqi War/War on Terrorism is not even in the same league. I think you're comparing apples to hex bolts.
I didn't write this, just posted an e-mail I received. I know there were several left out of this list, and I don't know why. I also know there is a big difference in the wars, but I think it's a good to remind people of the unity in the WW's
"I didn't write this..."
I understand that but expecting unity in this current war, as compared to WWII isn't realistic (IMO). So, trashing today's entertainers for their opinions/lack of service is bogus. Back then millions of Americans served. Today millions of Americans have never served and have no intention to.
That is pretty amazing.Sounds like he may have been a democrat,when being a Democrat was cool (if it actually ever was! LOL) But Lordy that man could sure dance! He was one of the greats.
Like many young men, Glenn Ford put aside his career and signed up, serving with the Marine Corps in 1943-45 on both the Pacific and Atlantic fronts. On leave in 1943 he married talented tap dancer and actress Eleanor Powell, with the birth of son Peter coming in 1945.
I can tell you that George C Scoot and Robert Ryan were not Republicans. I don't know about Charles Durning or Eddie Albert. The British obviously don't count. The remainder might very well have been Republicans.
Thanks. I am sure Patton was not!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.