Strabo wrote:

In OT-Hollywierd Fact or fiction? on Sun, 01 May 2005
06:58:21 GMT, by ff, we read:

Strabo wrote:

Other Notables:

Jack Palance
Robert Mitchum
Roy Rogers
Dean Martin

I find it fascinating to watch war films made after WWII
featuring war veteran actors who actually experienced many
of the scenarios depicted.




Strabo,

You did get one right. Jack Palance was a bomber pilot in WWII and
suffered burns in a crash that gave him his famous gaunt looks.

However:

Robert Mitchum was drafted in 1945 after spending most of the war acting
movies and theater. He spent only 8 months in the military, mostly
promoting a war movie he made.

Then that's two. Service: U.S. Army (WWII, PFC, 1945 Apr-Oct)

I couldn't find anything on Google confirming Rogers or Martin
though I read that they served.


Roy Rogers never served. He spent the war years making singing cowboy
movies, filling a vacancy left by western actor Gene Autry who did join up.

Dean Martin was excused from serving due to a hernia.

Just the facts, man, just the facts.

Fred

To make up for my deficiency I found others (confirmed).


Gene Autry - Sgt. Autry was in the U.S. Army Air Force, flying
supplies in the China-India-Burma theater of war, and served for
4+ years.

James Arness (Marshal Matt Dillon of Gunsmoke and brother of
Peter Graves, the "Mission Impossible" guy) was involved in the
landings at Anzio and was wounded there.

Richard Boone served as a tail gunner in Navy Torpedo planes and
saw action during W.W.II.

Trevor Howard served in the British Airborne Division and saw
action in W.W.II. He was medically discharged after he received
the Military Cross for Valour in the field.

Mel Brooks (Yes, Mel Brooks) was in the Combat Engineers and saw
action in the Ardennes in the "Battle of the Bulge" He
deactivated mines and helped to clear mine fields. He used to
answer German propaganda that was broadcast at regular intervals
with a oudspeaker shouting "Toot Toot Tootsie goodbye!" I guess
Mel Brooks was Mel Brooks even back then.

Neville Brand fought in the European theatre of operations in
W.W.II from December 16th 1944 onwards, he fought in the Ardennes
aka "The Battle Of the Bulge," also in the Rhineland and Central
Europe. He received the Silver Star for Gallantry while in
hospital for his actions in combat. Also he was awarded the
Purple Heart, The Good Conduct Medal, the American defense
Ribbon, the European/African/Middle Eastern Theatre Ribbon with
three Battle Stars, one Overseas Service Bar, one Service Stripe,
and the Combat Infantryman's Badge.

Richard Attenborough served for 3 years in the RAF during W.W.II.

Gene Audrey was a pilot in the USAAF.

Pat Brady, Roy Rogers partner, was awarded 2 purple Hearts while
in combat in France.

Raymond Burr served in the US navy.

Robery Clary who played ' Lebeau' in Hogan's Heroes spent 3 years
in a concentration camp and still had the tattoo on his arm.


Jackie Coogan was a glider pilot and served in the Pacific.

Tony Curtis served in Submarines aboard the USS Dragonette.

George Kennedy served under General Patton.

Walter Mathau was a gunner and radio operator over the skies of
Europe and he was awarded 6 battle stars.

Rod Steiger Joined the US Navy and fought in the Pacific Fleet in
W.W.II. Information is a little sketchy about his exploits except
to say that he was a torpedo operator and that he fought in the
Battle of Midway.





Don't forget SFC Sabu Dastigir, AKA Sabu the Elephant boy from Tarzan
movies. SFC Dastigir DFC was a ball turret gunner for a full tour.

BTW, according to an essay in the web page "Tender Tales", Tony Curtis
(real name: Bernard Schwartz) served aboard sub tenders although he
was qualified to serve on subs.

Russ
--
Russ
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