Posted on Aug 26, 2015
Did you ever stop and think about celebrities as veterans?
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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.
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.
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 25
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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
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
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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!
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PO3 Steven Sherrill
SGT (Join to see) You are not wrong about Glen Coffee, but his is a wyrd situation. He had no enjoyment of football, so he was likely not staying in the game anyway. It is good to see that when he walked away from football, he chose to serve. Not everyone would do that.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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SSG Robert Webster
MSG (Join to see) - Are you speaking of Fred Rogers of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood? If so, he never served in the military.
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MSG (Join to see)
Sucks that I've been lied to all these years. Drew Carey is my second and I suppose now first favorite
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There are many celebrities that serves. That was when most of Hollywood cares about American and not about getting rich.
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SGT Eric Dziekan
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
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
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