Actors who served in the military ~ heartfelt thanks!

November 11, 2:17 PMActing ExaminerDeborah Smith Ford

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  Elvis Presley                                                                    (Photo/wiki)

In recognition of Veteran's Day here is a representation of a few of the many actors who served our country in the military.

These are actors who served our country before, during or after their careers as entertainers.  Sources indicate that these actors, (the majority being males) served before the Vietnam War.  None can be found that served after, including after America was attacked on September 11, 2001.

James Maitland Stewart, even after his an active role in the military, Stewart continued to be active in the United States Air Force Reserve, achieving the rank of Brigadier General on July 23, 1959.

Jimmy Stewart did not often talk of his wartime service, perhaps due to his desire to be seen as a regular soldier doing his duty instead of as a celebrity. He did appear on the TV series, The World At War to discuss the October 14, 1943, bombing mission to Schweinfurt, which was the center of the German ball bearing manufacturing industry.

Eddie Albert

Prior to World War II, and before his film and television career (well known as Mr. Douglas on Green Acres), Eddie Albert toured Mexico as a clown and high-wire artist with the Escalante Brothers Circus, but secretly worked for U.S. Army intelligence, photographing German U-boats in Mexican harbors.

In 1942 Albert enlisted in the United States Navy and was discharged in 1943 to accept an appointment as a lieutenant in the U.S. Naval Reserve.

Eddie Albert was awarded the Bronze Star with Combat "V" for his actions during the invasion of Tarawa in November, 1943, when, as the pilot of a U.S. Coast Guard landing craft, he rescued 47 Marines who were stranded offshore (and supervised the rescue of 30 others), while under heavy enemy machine-gun fire.

Max Baer, Jr., Nancy Culp, Sharon Tate (Photo/wiki)

Nancy Culp, actress best known as Jane Hathaway on televisions's The Beverly Hillbillies left the University of Miami to volunteer for United States Navy service in World War II, for which she received several decorations, including the American Campaign Medal, the National Defense Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal. (Tate's husband Roman Polanski)

Sammy Davis, Jr. served in the United States Army during World War II but was confronted by strong racial prejudice. Davis later was quoted as saying:

Overnight the world looked different. It wasn't one color any more. I could see the protection I'd gotten all my life from my father and Will (an "uncle" with the Will Mastin Trio). I appreciated their loving hope that I'd never need to know about prejudice and hate, but they were wrong. It was as if I'd walked through a swinging door for eighteen years, a door which they had always secretly held open." 

Other acting talent or entertainers in general are represented here in name and/or in the slide show.  Heartfelt thanks to all (non-actors as well)!

Additional actors who served in the military (feel free to write in any others you know of):  Gene Autry, Humphrey Bogart, Neville Brand, Totch Brown, Jackie Coogan, James Daly, Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., Henry Fonda (daughter Jane), Glenn Ford, Clark Gable, Charlton Heston, William Holden, Brian Keith, Werner Klemperer,  Bert Lancaster, Tim McCoy,  Ed McMahon, Burgess Meredith, Glenn Miller, Robert Montgomery, Wayne Morris, Lee Powell, Tyrone Power, Elvis Presley, Al Quinn, Gene Raymond, Ronald Reagan (tie in with Frank Sinatra), John Russell, Robert Ryan, Rod Serling, Jimmy Stewart...

Talent who attempted to serve in the military but were turned down due to health reasons:  Bob Hope (tied to Al Quinn), Fred Astaire, Marlon Brando, Gary Cooper, Errol Flynn, Cary Grant, Peter Lawford, Gregory Peck, George Raft, John Wayne and Richard Widmark

Credit: Jeff Seeber, Military Salute Project