Did you ever stop and think about celebrities as veterans?

SGT Eric Dziekan — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 13:46:08 -0400

In the past and in the not so past we have had many celebrities join our ranks in proud service of our Country.

The other day I found out that my favorite comedian / director Mel Brooks was a veteran and a former Combat Engineer like myself. He served in Europe from 1944 - 1946 dis-arming land mines, something I can also relate to.

Two more of my favorite comedian / actors that are veterans are Tim Conway (US Army) and Ernest Borgnine (US Navy 1935-1941 & 1942-1945). Both played on the series McHales Navy.

I'll also mention the most recent celebrity, Army Ranger Pat Tillman, who gave up his football career before giving his life for his Country.

As a tribute to these veterans who didn't let their status out-weigh their patriotism, lets see how many we can name and what service they were in.

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Aug 26 at 2015 1:46 PM

SCPO David Lockwood — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 13:46:56 -0400

There are quite a few of them. Some I had not known.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2015 1:54 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 13:54:42 -0400

I used to say that I am a paratrooper, like Jimi Hendrix.

And I served in 25th ID, like Ice-T.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Aug 26 at 2015 1:55 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 13:55:27 -0400

2LT Audie Murphy US Army is one of the first that comes to my mind SGT Eric Dziekan. Eddie Albert [US Navy ][Green Acres], Alec Guiness [British Navy], David Niven [British Commandos], Ed McMahon [USMC], Jimmy Stewart [Army Air Corps], Charleton Heston [Army Air Corps], Charles Bronson [Army Air Corps], George C. Scott [USMC], Lee Marvin [USMC], Brian Keith [USMC] [Family Affair] and many others from the greatest generation served in WWII.
Heddy Lamarr helped the war effort with her co-inventor George Antheil, by designing a torpedo guidance system that was two decades before its time.
http://www.heroeswest.com/page6.htm
Gentlemen do you have any any other names of celebrities who are or were veterans?
COL Mikel J. Burroughs, LTC Stephen C., LTC Bink Romanick, CW5 Private RallyPoint Member, CW5 Charlie Poulton, CW4 Private RallyPoint Member, CW3 Private RallyPoint Member, SGM Steve Wettstein, SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4", SGT Private RallyPoint Member, SGT Randal Groover, SGT Forrest Stewart, SGT Robert Hawks, SPC Private RallyPoint Member

Heroes West - Actors Who Served Our Country Well

Heroes West - Celebrating the Hero's Spirit

Response by SSG Leo Bell made Aug 26 at 2015 1:55 PM

SSG Leo Bell — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 13:55:40 -0400

Elvis Presley back in WWII

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Aug 26 at 2015 1:56 PM

SGT Ben Keen — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 13:56:07 -0400

A quick search on Google gave me this article below.

Some noteworthy names that appear on this list are:
Bea Arthur from the Golden Girls - Marines
Hugh Hefner from Playboy - Army
Mr T (Laurence Tureaud) - Army
Johnny Carson - Navy

19 Celebrities Who Served In The Military

In honor of Veteran's Day, we're taking a look back at some of today's most iconic celebrities who once served in the armed forces.

Response by SGT Eric Dziekan made Aug 26 at 2015 2:12 PM

SGT Eric Dziekan — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 14:12:49 -0400

Just found another one.... Russell Johnson, aka "the Professor" from Gilligan's Island was awarded the Purple Heart when his B-24 Liberator was shot down in the Phillipines on a bombing mission in March 1945. He was a bombardier.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Aug 26 at 2015 2:19 PM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 14:19:15 -0400

There are many celebrities that serves. That was when most of Hollywood cares about American and not about getting rich.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2015 2:29 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 14:29:31 -0400

The late James Garner.....Rockford Files....Korean War veteran of the Marines.

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made Aug 26 at 2015 3:13 PM

PO3 Steven Sherrill — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 15:13:45 -0400

There is a huge list of these folks.

Jimi Hendrix even served (though not long).

Dr. Ruth was a sniper in WWII

Henry Fonda, Clark Gable, and Jimmy Stewart all served in WWII

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2015 3:23 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 15:23:18 -0400

A newer, but still respectable one is Glen Coffee. Former Alabama running back who went on to play professionally for the 49er's and quit playing football to go active duty!

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made Aug 26 at 2015 3:39 PM

PO3 Steven Sherrill — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 15:39:38 -0400

Has anyone mentioned yet George Bush Sr, or JFK?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2015 5:09 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 17:09:03 -0400

Fred Rogers is my favorite celebrity Veteran!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2015 7:21 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 19:21:21 -0400

Captain Kangaroo ( Bob Keshan) U.S. Marine Corps WWII.

Response by SGT Eric Dziekan made Aug 26 at 2015 7:23 PM

SGT Eric Dziekan — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 19:23:39 -0400

Who could forget Don Rickles... USS Cyrene (AGP-13) Seaman First Class 1944-1946. Well known for the sitcom C.P.O Sharkey in 1976-78 and still for the Dean Martin Celebrity Roast specials.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2015 7:28 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 19:28:34 -0400

Steve McQueen US Marines
Steve McQueen's legacy as the "King of Cool" began early -- born to a stunt pilot and an alleged alcoholic prostitute, he had a tumultuous childhood which led him to cultivate his rebel image, which would persist throughout his career. After drifting from job to job, he decided to join the Marines in 1947. He was promoted to Private First Class and served with an armored unit, but he was demoted back to private seven times. His rebellious nature came to a head when he let a weekend pass turn into a two week tryst with his girlfriend. Shore patrol apprehended him, but he resisted and spent 41 days in the brig; the first 21 were spent living off of bread and water.

Chuck Norris Air Force

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2015 7:46 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 19:46:44 -0400

Morgan Freeman Air Force Johnny Cash Air Force

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2015 7:50 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 19:50:35 -0400

Clint Eastwood - Army/Drafted

Response by COL Charles Williams made Aug 26 at 2015 7:59 PM

COL Charles Williams — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 19:59:44 -0400

Not recently. I think the number of celebrity veterans in the modern era are far and few between. Mel Brooks and many others were from the WWII era.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2015 8:49 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 20:49:14 -0400

A few more celebrities to add to the list. A couple of these surprised me.

http://www.military.com/veterans-day/top-10-celebrity-veterans.html

Top 10 Celebrity Veterans

These ten people are famous, and they all have one thing in common: they served in the U.S. military.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 27 at 2015 2:34 AM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 02:34:22 -0400

Denis Arndt, character actor that's been a load of films and TV (you'll recognize him when you see him), was a Vietnam helicopter pilot and was in my dad's unit in Vietnam (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0036127/). Kris Kristofferson was a helicopter pilot and Ranger.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Aug 27 at 2015 8:40 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 08:40:53 -0400

I remember LCDR Montel Williams on the DC School Talk Circuit when I was stationed in DC "You think 007 is Cool? I am 007!" that would really get the kids fired up! I also remember my Disbursing Officer onboard USS California CGN-36 Mr David Robinson.

Response by SGT Scott Bell made Aug 28 at 2015 4:39 PM

SGT Scott Bell — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 16:39:59 -0400

Johnny Cash was in the AF

Response by PO1 John Miller made Aug 29 at 2015 4:44 AM

PO1 John Miller — Sat, 29 Aug 2015 04:44:39 -0400

Here's a very short list of athletes who served in the military:
Pat Tillman Army
Joe DiMaggio Army Air Corps
Joe Louis Army
Jackie Robinson Army
Shauna Rohbock Utah Army National Guard, 2006 Olympic Silver Medal in Women's Bobsledding
David Robinson Navy
Yogi Berra Navy
Glenn Eller Army 2008 Olympic Gold Medal Men's Double Trap Shooting
Jack Dempsey New York National Guard/Coast Guard Reserve
Gene Tunney Marine Corps

Response by SGT Eric Dziekan made Aug 29 at 2015 8:06 PM

SGT Eric Dziekan — Sat, 29 Aug 2015 20:06:07 -0400

Humphrey Bogart US Navy WWI.

Response by SGT Eric Dziekan made Aug 30 at 2015 8:46 PM

SGT Eric Dziekan — Sun, 30 Aug 2015 20:46:24 -0400

Since a few went out of the country...

There is Richard Henry ("Peter") Sellers, Royal Air Force 1943-1946 who could forget the Pink Panther!