if we say Johnson, then we have to add the rest of the politicians....I just think the duke set us up to think we were invincible, it wasn't on purpose, he was out to make some money like the rest of us. That has happened several times in our history, sometimes we are invincible, sometimes we aren't.... in 1964 while sitting on the mess deck I heard the Gulf of Tonkin announcement, to a man we all thought we'll go over there and kick some azz, everyone will be home in a month or two.
i always liked the early WWII movies, Bataan, Sahara, Across the Pacific, Casablana. Always had a kid from Brooklyn, one from California, one from Indiana and black guy that could sing....I'm old and thats what I grew up on...after watching the killing everyday during the VN war on the 6 oclock news I found it hard to watch war movies anymore...I forgot I was gonna STFU...thanks for chat guys
Yeah.... what is funny, I was watching the Vietnam War play out at dinner time while I was in High School (graduated in 1967). Seeing all of that play out, being tired of school, that was my main reason, at the time, for joining the Air Force and keep myself from being drafted into the Army and going to Vietnam. Then, bored with the Chicken "S" at Barksdale, went down and volunteered with a bunch of my buddies to go. Three straight tours from there, Cam Ranh Bay, Phan Rang and Ton Son Nhut Saigon. I really had that John Wayne mentality at that time.
I was working for Congressman Glenn Anderson, a lady came in and said "my son died in Vietnam and the other son is going back. Help me" I called the Congressman and he had her son taken off the plane in Guam. She came back to the office and told me her son wasn't speaking to her but at least he's alive Glenn was a great Congressman and paid attention to the people he served
Originally posted by armyjunk: I just think the duke set us up to think we were invincible, it wasn't on purpose, he was out to make some money like the rest of us.
That's an interesting perspective. Let's spin it this way and see what happens. If John Wayne made movies that belittled or put the military man/woman in a bad light (as might be done today), how would you view him?
The reason I put it that way is I think most folks would rather look up to a patriot vs a villian in time of war.
Originally posted by marcus_leftcoastus: . . . There are many in this day and age who would say about actors who they disagree with, "oh, they are just actors, what do they know?"
My answer to that was that Ronald Reagan and the late U.S. Senator from California, George Murphy, were "just actors". . .
No, Mark, they both were not "just actors." They were "bad actors."
John Wayne may not have served in the Military but he did know the Coast Guard.
John Wayne had a son who served on the cutter Taney (mid 60's). My father was also on the cutter at the same time. Whenever my mom and I went to the dock in Alameda to greet the arrival of the Taney John Wayne was also there at the dock to meet his son. I remember fetching a cup or two of coffee for John Wayne. He was always there to greet the ship.
TVC, I don't know how that would have played out, it was the way it was. As Dave says a lot of us had that John Wayne mentality, I've always been thankful I met Charlie Dunn and he recruited me into the Coast Guard, a year later I would have been a prime candidate for the draft. This is not to start any fights, but I wonder if the Duke's son was one of many I started seeing around 1966 that found the Coast Guard much preferable to the Army or the Marines. The Draft was in full swing around that time. In case some have forgotten, people were going to school, getting married, having babies, whatever it took to get that deferment. The Coast Guard and the Reserves were pretty full at the time. Maybe The Duke's son knew the hero thing was just a movie.......
This message has been edited. Last edited by: armyjunk,
I will side with those who saw John Wayne as Heroic. He always chose roles where he could show us what we liked best about being American. While it's true he wasn't a military hero and got conned into doing the Green Beret to try and keep the American people behind the war, he did a lot more than that, very privately.
Toward the end of his life, someone very close to him took most of his money. He never whined or complained, dying with a lot less money that most would think.
I don't know that I can or would list individual achievements, sometimes I think the entireity of one's life might qualify as being heroic... at least that's my opinion.
Still, Jimmy Stuart and Audie Murphy certainly would be placed in an Honor Role nearer the top.
Currently on Comcast Free Movies, there is a special called something like, "John Ford Goes To War". Great piece about him and includes a few things about John Wayne.
I was watching Grumpier Old Men last night. I knew Walter Matthau was a B-24 radiomand/gunner during the war. I did a little research for this post and came across this B-24 (and PBY)site that lists some famous folks who flew in WWII. Good stuff!
The next site talks about three of the most famous WWII pin-up gals. Before you look at the link, any guess who they were?? A hint to one...remember the "cross your heart bra" commercials back in the day?
The next link is a who's who of military pin-ups. Lots of classy ladies from back then and now (3 pages). I always liked Ann Margaret, Barbara Eden and Raquel Welch. Vivian Leigh was also a pretty lady.
I would much rather accept John Wayne for both the characters he portrayed and his personal spirit, than 99% of these "actors" we are exposed to these days.
I could add Jimmy Stewart, Lee Marvin, And Clint Eastwood ( to name a few) as being a few rungs below John Wayne - which still places them far and above this newer generation.
I'd have to say my father is my own personal hero. He had a real crappy life as a kid with his father dumping him and his brother at an early age. He let nothing faze him at all. In the 30's he joined the Merchant Marine then became a Naval officer in WW2. Went to Columbia U. after the war. Got married and he and my Mom raised my sister and I. He saw to it that his kids were loved and taken care of, not like what happened to him. By the end of his working career he was the editor and publisher of the Journal of Accountantcy. Not bad for someone who started off life as an ordinary seaman on the SS Memphis City delivering Cargo to ports in the Indian Ocean.
The only actor I really have respect for in that regard is Jimmy Stewart. I read a recent biography of him in WW2. He was quite a character.
Not to put a damper on the fire, but Wayne is now widely known for actively avoiding WWII service. A former secratary, with whom he was extremly close, has stated - among others - that his refusal to serve was his most significant regret in later life.
Bottom line, he was a good actor, but when the time came to serve his country, he demurred in favor of a movie career, while others, like the previously mentioned Jim Stewart stepped up and put the needs of the many above the needs of the one...
I did like most of Wayne's movies though. He was a good actor.
Vivian
