By Shelby Vick
Editors'
Note:
Shelby Vick is one of our most devoted followers. As this year marks
the 70th anniversary
of D-Day, Shelby sent us a list of those in Hollywood and the film
industry who placed their careers on hold while they fought against
the Axis powers. We found his article most interesting and want to
share it with you, our loyal audience. We hope you enjoy it as much
as we did. Thank you, Shelby. By the way, Shelby is also a talented
science-fiction writer and you can read his works at
www.planetarystories.com -
an online homage to the S-F pulp magazines of the ‘30s through the
‘50s. Our own science fiction maven, Steve Herte, is preparing an
article on a few of the stories for the website, which you’ll see
here in the near future.
Don
Adams, US Marines: Adams saw combat in the invasion of
Guadalcanal and was the only survivor of his platoon. He contracted
blackwater fever and nearly died, remaining hospitalized for more
than a year. After his recovery, he served as a drill instructor.
Eddie
Albert, US Coast Guard: Albert served as a lieutenant in the
Coast Guard in the Pacific. He was awarded the Bronze Star for
his actions during the Battle of Tarawa in November 1943, when, as a
landing ship pilot, he rescued several hundred wounded Marines while
under heavy enemy machine-gun fire.
James
Arness, US Army: Severely wounded in the Battle of Anzio,
leading to a lifelong limp. Military awards and medals include: the
Bronze Star; the Purple Heart; the European-African-Middle Eastern
Campaign Medal with three Bronze Star devices; World War II Victory
Medal; and the Combat Infantryman's Badge.
Bea
Arthur, US Marines: Arthur was one of the first women to
become an active-duty United States Marine, serving as a truck driver
and a typist while stationed at Marine Corps and Navy air stations in
Virginia and North Carolina. During her military career, Arthur's
rank went from private to corporal to sergeant to staff sergeant, the
title she held upon her honorable discharge in September 1945.
Gene
Autry, US Army Air Corps: Sgt. Gene Autry ferried fuel,
ammunition, and arms in the China-India-Burma Theater of war, flying
over the Himalayas, the hazardous air route known as "The Hump."
Lew
Ayres: The
star of the 1930 antiwar film All
Quiet on the Western Front was
so affected by the film's message that he became a conscientious
objector when called to duty in World War II. Ayres volunteered for
duty as a non-combatant medic and was one of 16 medics who
participated in the invasion of Leyte, setting up evacuation
hospitals under fire and later tending to wounded soldiers. He
donated his Army salary to the Red Cross. Publicly perceived to be a
coward (MGM dropped his contract) it wasn’t until after the war
that the public learned of Ayres' bravery under fire as a
non-combatant medical corpsman and he was permitted to resume his
career.
Parley
Baer, US Army Air Corps: Served in
the Pacific theater, earning seven Battle Stars and a Presidential
Citation. He also attained the rank of captain.
Neville
Brand, US Army. Joined the US
Army in 1939, meaning to make a career in the military. Over the
course of his career, Brand earned the following awards: Silver Star
for gallantry in combat, Purple Heart, the Good Conduct Medal, the
American Defense Service Ribbon, the European/African/Middle Eastern
Theater Ribbon with three Battle Stars, one Overseas Service Bar, one
Service Stripe, and the Combat Infantryman's Badge.
Charles
Bronson, US Army Air Corps: Enlisted in 1943 and served
as an aircraft gunner in the 760th Flexible Gunnery Training
Squadron. In 1945, he was a B-29 Superfortress tail gunner with the
39th Bombardment Group based on Guam. He also served on Tinian and
Saipan, and was awarded a Purple Heart for wounds received.
Richard
Burton, RAF: During World War II, he
was admitted to Exeter College, Oxford, in 1944 to take the
"University Short Course" for six months as a Royal Air
Force cadet. He served until 1947.
Joseph
Campanella, US Navy: During World War II, Campanella became
one of the youngest ever skippers in the wartime Navy.
Frank
Capra, US Army: Enlisted in the Army as a major four days
after Pearl Harbor. Assigned to work directly under US Chief of Staff
General George Marshall, Capra directed or co-directed war
information documentaries, including the seven-episode Why We
Fight series.
Art
Carney, US Army: Participated in the landing in Normandy.
Wounded in the leg by shrapnel, he was hospitalized for nine
months, and walked with a limp the rest of his life.
James
Doohan, Royal Canadian Artillery: Landed
on Juno Beach on D-Day as a member of the Royal Canadian Artillery.
While walking across a minefield, he and his unit came under attack
by enemy fire. He was hit by four times in the leg, the middle finger
of his right hand was shot off, and a bullet struck his chest. His
life was saved when it hit a silver cigarette case that had been
given to him by his brother.
Roy
Dotrice, RAF: Born on the
Island of Guernsey, one of the Channel Islands off the coast of
France. Escaped to England with his family when the Germans occupied
the island. Joined the RAF at age 16 and was trained as a wireless
operator and air gunner. In 1942, his plane was shot down and he was
captured where he served out the remainder of World War II (over
three years) as a prisoner of war in Germany.
Charles
Durning, US Army: Landed at
Normandy on D-Day. Shot multiple times. Awarded the Silver Star and
Bronze Star and three Purple Hearts. Survived the Malmedy Massacre.
Glenn
Ford, US Marines: Helped build
safe houses in France for those hiding from the Nazis and was
honorably discharged from the Marines in 1944. WWII decorations
include American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal,
World War II Victory Medal, Rifle Marksman Badge, and the U.S. Marine
Corps Reserve Medal. He retired from the Naval Reserve in the 1970s
with the rank of captain. In 1992, France awarded him the French
Legion of Honor Medal for his WWII service.
John
Ford, US Navy: Enlisted in the
Navy and became head of a photographic unit with the rank of
commander. While aboard the USS Hornet he filmed the departure of
Doolittle's Raiders. Wounded during the Battle of Midway and received
a Purple Heart. Moved to the ETO as head of the photographic unit for
the Office of Strategic Services. In preparation for D-Day, he
crossed the English Channel on the USS Plunkett (DD-431) and anchored
off Omaha Beach at 0600. He observed the first wave land on the beach
from the ship, landing on the beach himself later with a team of US
Coast Guard cameramen who filmed the battle from behind the beach
obstacles with Ford directing operations. After the war, Ford became
a Rear Admiral in the U.S. Navy Reserve. His wartime footage was used
for many of the action scenes in such films as Midway, Tora,
Tora, Tora, In
Harm's Way, and The
Longest Day, among others.
Steve
Forrest, US Army: Wounded
during the Battle of the Bulge.
Jean
Gabin, Free French Army: When
the Germans defeated France in 1940, Gabin went into exile in
Hollywood along with Jean Renoir and Julien Duvivier, and worked with
Fox and RKO. But a gnawing patriotism led to his dissatisfaction with
Hollywood, and he joined the Free French Forces under Charles de
Gaulle. He rose to sergeant and commanded a tank, fighting in North
Africa, France, and Germany. Following D-Day, Gabin was part of the
French contingent that liberated Paris. He was awarded the Medaille
militaire and a Croix de guerre for his wartime valor.
Clark
Gable, Army Air Corps: Although
beyond draft age when the U.S. entered the war, he enlisted as a
private in the Air Corps. Attended Officer's Candidate School in
Miami Beach, Fla., graduated as a second lieutenant. Attended aerial
gunnery school and in February 1943 was assigned to the 351st Bomb
Group at Polebrook, England, where he flew operational missions over
Europe in B-17s making film records of the missions. Capt. Gable was
rotated back to the U.S. in October 1943 because he was over-age for
combat and was relieved from active duty as a Major in 1944.
Alec
Guinness, Royal Navy: In 1941,
he entered the Royal navy as a seaman and was commissioned the next
year. Operated a British Royal Navy landing craft on D-Day.
Sterling
Hayden, Marines: Ran guns and
supplies to Yugoslav Partisans through a German blockade of the
Adriatic. He also parachuted into Croatia for guerilla activities.
Won the Silver Star and a citation from Tito of Yugoslavia.
John
Huston, US Signal Corps: Helmed
a number of film documentaries for the U.S. government including the
controversial Let There Be
Light (1946), which was
narrated by his father, Walter.
Louis
Jourdan, Maquis: Following the
German occupation of France during World War II, he continued to make
films but after refusing to participate in Nazi propaganda films, he
joined the French Resistance.
Ted
Knight, US Army, Combat Engineers: Decorated
five times for bravery.
Don
Knotts, US Army: Enlisted in
the Army at age 19 and served in
the Pacific Theater. Discharged in 1946 with the rank of Technician
Grade 5, which was the equivalent of a Corporal. He was awarded the
WWII Victory Medal, Philippine Liberation Medal, Asiatic-Pacific
Campaign Medal (with 4 bronze service stars), Army Good Conduct
Medal, Marksman Badge (with Carbine Bar) and Honorable Service Lapel
Pin.
Myrna
Loy: Too old to serve active
duty during World War II she quit making movies and served with the
Red Cross.
Lee
Marvin, US Marines: Wounded in
action on Saipan. Buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Sec. 7A next
to Greg Boyington and Joe Louis.
Spike
Milligan, Royal Artillery: Served
in the Royal Artillery in World War II in North Africa and Italy,
where he was hospitalized for shell shock.
Robert
Montgomery, US Navy: During
World War II, he joined the Navy, rising to the rank of lieutenant
commander. He served in both the European and Pacific theaters of
war, commanding PT Boats.
Wayne
Morris, US Navy fighter pilot, USS Essex: Downed
seven Japanese fighters.
Audie
Murphy, US Army: America's
most-decorated soldier, earning the
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.
David
Niven, Lt. Colonel, British Commandos: He
attended Sandhurst Military Academy and served for two years in Malta
with the Highland Light Infantry. At the outbreak of World War II, he
re-joined the army (Rifle Brigade). On his return to Hollywood after
the war, he was made a Legionnaire of the Order of Merit (the highest
American order that can be earned by an alien), presented to him by
Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower.
George
O'Brien, US Navy: He was the
Heavyweight Boxing Champion of the Pacific Fleet during World War I.
During World War II, he hung up his spurs, and re-enlisted in the
Navy where he fought in the Pacific and was decorated many times.
Paul
Picerni, Army Air Corps: Flew
25 combat missions and received the Distinguished Flying Cross. He
was the bombardier on the plane that bombed and destroyed the real
bridge made famous in the film The
Bridge on the River Kwai (1957).
Donald
Pleasence RAF: Shot down over
France, held prisoner, and tortured by the Germans.
Denver
Pyle, US Navy: Wounded in the
Battle of Guadalcanal. Medically discharged.
Tony
Randall, US Army Signal Corps: Refused
an entertainment assignment with Special Services to remain with the
Signal Corps.
Ron
Randell (Australian
Air Force): Shot down five
Japanese planes in combat.
Ronald
Reagan, US Army Air Corps: Reagan served as a 2nd Lt. in the
Cavalry Reserves before the war. His poor eyesight kept him from
being sent overseas with his unit when war came so he transferred to
the Army Air Corps Public Relations Unit, where he served for the
duration. By the end of the war, his units had produced some 400
training films for the AAF.
Dale
Robertson, US Army: Tank Commander in North Africa under
Patton. Wounded twice. Received a battlefield Commission.
Harold
Russell, US Army: While an Army
instructor, training with the U.S. 13th Airborne Division 1944, a
defective fuse detonated an explosive he was handling while making a
training film. As a result, he lost both hands and was given two
hooks to serve as hands. After his recovery, he attended Boston
University as a full-time student. He was featured in an Army
film, Diary of a Sergeant, about
rehabilitating war veterans. Director William Wyler saw the film and
cast Russell in the film The
Best Years of Our Lives, playing the
role of Homer Parrish, a sailor who lost both hands during the War.
The movie won seven Oscars, including two for Harold Russell, the
only actor in Oscar history to win two awards for the same film.
(Best Supporting Actor and a special Oscar for bringing hope and
courage to disabled veterans.)
James
Stewart, Army Air Corps: Enlisted
as a Private and worked his way to the rank of Colonel. Served as a
bomber pilot, his record credits him with leading more than 20
missions over Germany and taking part in hundreds of air strikes
during his tour of duty. He earned the Air Medal, the Distinguished
Flying Cross, France's Croix de Guerre, and 7 Battle Stars during
WWII. In peacetime Stewart continued to be an active member of the
Air Force Reserves, reaching the rank of Brigadier General before
retiring.
Dolph
Sweet, Army Air Force: Navigator
on a B-24; shot down during a raid and captured, spending two years
as a POW in Germany. He was honored with the Distinguished Flying
Cross and The Purple Heart.
Darryl
F. Zanuck, US Army Signal Corps: At
15, he joined the U.S. Army, and fought in Belgium in World War I.
During World War II, he served as supervisor for Signal Corps
training films and the photographic record of the North Africa
invasion. He was awarded the Legion of Merit.
Efram
Zimbalist, Jr., US Army: Awarded
a Purple Heart for a severe wound received in the Huertgen Forest.
VOLUNTEERED,
BUT REJECTED:
Walter
Brennan: Served in an artillery unit during World War I,
where he was gassed, the exposure ruining his vocal chords, leaving
him with the high-pitched tone that enabled him to play senior
citizens while still in his thirties. Tried to enlist for World War
II but was rejected as too old.
Randolph
Scott: Tried to enlist in the Marines but was rejected due
to injuries sustained while in the Army during World War I.
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