Alec Guiness
http://www.ww2incolor.com/updates?g2_itemId=710244
Charles Bronson
http://www.ww2incolor.com/updates?g2_itemId=710246
Clark Gable
http://www.ww2incolor.com/us-air-force/gable.html
Capra and Ford
http://www.ww2incolor.com/us-army/capra-frank-john-ford.html
Regarding David Niven, in one volume of his autobiography, (not sure which one), he related an amusing account of his original regimental assignment. Asked (on a form) to indicate his preferences (and notwithstanding the fact that he may have indicated particular preferences) he included the comment “any Scottish regiment except the Highland Light Infantry”. Guess where he ended up ?
As for Richard Todd - he served in the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry before transfer to the Paras. Interestingly, he took part in the capture and defence of Pegasus Bridge at the outset of “Overlord”, under command of Major John Howard. As an actor, he subsequently played the part of Howard in the movie, “The Longest Day”, and did so pretty well. In fact, Todd was to make something of a speciality of playing military parts after the war.
Comments from Michael Caine, regarding the Korea War, are interesting, and have the ring of truth. Mind you, my main military memory of him is from “Zulu”… Best regards, JR.
The Goons
Spike Miligan - served with the RA through North Africa and Italy
Peter Sellers - served with the RAF
Harry Secombe - served with the RA through North Africa and Italy
Michael Bentine - served with the RAF
Milligan and Secombe’s first meeting is recounted in one of his books (Adolf Hitler: my part in his downfall?) - Milligan’s unit dropped a heavy gun down a cliff through Secombe’s unit, closely followed by Milligan sticking his head into Secombe’s wireless truck to ask if anyone had seen a gun. Secombe’s reply is recorded as “what colour?”…
Don’t know whether anybody mentioned Christopher “Count Dracula” Lee, who served as an Intelligence Officer through North Africa and Italy. Also Irish-American movie director John Ford, USN, who managed and supervised much of US official film coverage of the war. Best regards, JR.
Returning thread to active duty…
Some notable examples found at IMDb, link http://www.imdb.com/list/ls003539523/
Audie Murphy
US Army Europe WW2 Medal of Honor.
Paul Newman
Actor
US Navy WW2 Pacific:
Tony Curtis
Actor
US Navy - WWII
Don Knotts
Actor, Andy Griffith Show
WW2 US Army
I apologize if the above actors have already been mentioned .
IMDb link that has some info on actors with military experience, not all WW2:
http://www.imdb.com/list/ls003539523/
Morgan Freeman
Actor, The Shawshank Redemption
US Air Force 1955
Leonard Nimoy
Actor, Star Trek
US Army 1953-1955
Jamie Farr:
Actor MASH
US Army, Korea Veteran
Clint Eastwood
Actor
US Army 1951 to 1953
A few non actors:
Dwight D Eisenhower
US President
WW2 US Army Supreme Allied Commander of Allied Forces in Europe
John F Kennedy
US President
WW2 US Navy PT109
George HW Bush
US President
WW2 US Army Air Corps
Babe Ruth
Baseball player
Army New York National Guard 1924
Jackie Robinson
Baseball Player
WW2 US Army
Glenn Miller
Musician
WW2 US Army (MIA)
Ted Williams
Baseball Player
WW2 US Marine Corps
Joe DiMaggio
Baseball Player
WW2 US Army Air Forces
Ty Cobb
Baseball Player
US Army WW1
Elvis Presley
Musician
US Army 3rd Armored Division 1958
Johnny Cash
Musician
US Air Force 1950
Joe Louis
Boxing Heavy Weight Champion
US Army WW2 Special Services Division
Jimi Hendrix
Musician
US Army 1961 101st Airborne Division
Tom Landry
Dallas Cowboys Football coach
WW2 US Army Air Corps Bomber
Hugh Hefner
Playboy
WW2 US Army 1944 writer
Rocky Marciano
Boxing Heavy Weight Champion (Only one to retire undefeated 49-0)
US Army WW2 Normandy Veteran 150th combat engineers
Jack Dempsey
Boxing Heavy Weight Champion
WW2 US Coast Guard reserve