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Wiz Imp

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26. Many Hollywood stars older than Wayne willingly served in WWII

Sun Mar 15, 2026, 05:11 PM

Mar 15

Last edited Sun Mar 15, 2026, 05:55 PM - Edit history (1)

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2819281/John-Wayne-DID-dodge-draft-continue-torrid-affair-sexy-German-actress-Marlene-Dietrich-best-lay-ve-new-book-reveals.html

Henry Fonda had enlisted in the navy at 37. Jimmy Stewart tried to enlist at age 33 but was underweight. He put aside his Academy Award winning career and went on a diet to fatten up that included candy, beer and bananas. He reached the minimum weight and proudly flew dozens of missions over Germany.

Cowboy singing star Gene Autry joined the Army Air Corps. Tyrone Power went into the Marines. Robert Montgomery joined the army along with Clark Gable. Ronald Reagan also signed up but his lousy eyesight kept him from going overseas.

Even Hollywood’s ‘Beverly Hills Brits’ faced extradition and imprisonment in Britain if they didn’t head home to do their duty.

Any story that Wayne had tried to enlist was a complete fabrication, the author insists. ‘Wayne never tried to enlist and never ‘pleaded’ with John Ford to get him into the navy,’ writes the author.

"The author" refers to Marc Eliot, author of the biography "American Titan: Searching for John Wayne"

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Highlight:

Most efed-up Oscar awards ever? [View all] Floyd R. Turbo Mar 15 OP

John Wayne was a terrible, terrible actor Orrex Mar 15 #1

And an asshole to boot! 🤬 Floyd R. Turbo Mar 15 #2

A bigot! BlueWaveNeverEnd Mar 15 #36

That too! Floyd R. Turbo Mar 15 #39

It was his last chance and Rooster Cogburn was iconic. Frasier Balzov Mar 15 #3

Bridges and the Cohen Brothers version were much closer to the book. I did like it more. And, Wayne did not deserve it! Floyd R. Turbo Mar 15 #6

It wasn't even his last chance to portray Rooster Cogburn. rsdsharp Mar 15 #12

We know that now. Frasier Balzov Mar 15 #17

His lung was removed in 1964. They were so afraid he might die that they waited five years? rsdsharp Mar 15 #18

Did he do anything Oscar worthy in the interim? Frasier Balzov Mar 15 #21

I didn't think he did anything Oscar worthy ever. rsdsharp Mar 15 #23

Deserved it? Iggo Mar 16 #56

It's possible most of the actor members of the Academy hated John Wayne's guts. Frasier Balzov Mar 17 #57

Rooster Cogburn was John Wayne with an eyepatch. Iggo Mar 17 #59

He beat you to it! Frasier Balzov Mar 17 #60

They should have given Marion Morrison the Oscar for one of his military roles. Aristus Mar 15 #4

As I said, "An asshole"! Floyd R. Turbo Mar 15 #7

Wayne wasnt a draft dodger. Thats an old urban legend. Callie1979 Mar 15 #11

World War II Marines had a different view. From author William Manchester: rsdsharp Mar 15 #13

A story which itself is questionable. Callie1979 Mar 15 #15

Oh? Did Manchester make it up? rsdsharp Mar 15 #16

Are there any Marines who were there to verify the story? Callie1979 Mar 15 #19

Wayne tried to join the naval academy in 1925, rsdsharp Mar 15 #22

Many Hollywood stars older than Wayne willingly served in WWII Wiz Imp Mar 15 #26

Thank you for posting this. Stewart was less than a year younger than Wayne. rsdsharp Mar 15 #32

Jimmy Stewart stayed in the AF reserves and ultimately achieved... 3catwoman3 Mar 16 #49

I met a WWll bomber pilot from the squadron with the movie stars. Norrrm Mar 16 #53

my English grandfather was 38 when he spent the week on the beaches of Dunkirk Skittles Mar 15 #34

It's not rumors. It's fact. Just because you refuse to accept it and insist on making Wiz Imp Mar 15 #24

Not an urban legend at all. He was not "technically" or "legally" a draft dodger Wiz Imp Mar 15 #14

Ford had letters from Wayne asking him to let him enlist in his unit. Callie1979 Mar 15 #20

False. There is definite evidence he actively worked to avoid service. Wiz Imp Mar 15 #27

Proof shows he tried to enter the Naval Academy, enlist in the OSS & join Fords unit Callie1979 Mar 15 #37

Yes. Still, some of the most recent decades of top movie winners have really incredibly sucked... hlthe2b Mar 15 #5

Another reason to hate the asshole! Poor horses! 😢 Floyd R. Turbo Mar 15 #8

Maybe for the Best Actor award Fiendish Thingy Mar 15 #9

Haven't watched them in years! Floyd R. Turbo Mar 15 #40

Yip, and Peter 7 noms, no wins. When first offered an Honorary he turned it down saying UTUSN Mar 15 #10

Peter a class act! Floyd R. Turbo Mar 15 #41

that dreck Forrest Gump beating Pulp Fiction Skittles Mar 15 #25

I agree. MIButterfly Mar 15 #30

Don't get me started! 🤬 Floyd R. Turbo Mar 15 #42

right?! Skittles Mar 15 #46

Didn't I say don't get me started? Floyd R. Turbo Mar 16 #47

LOL, I couldn't help myself Skittles Mar 16 #48

😁 Floyd R. Turbo Mar 16 #55

I thought Forrest Gump was one of the dumbest movies ever. 3catwoman3 Mar 16 #50

I didn't make it past 15 minutes Skittles Mar 16 #51

Implausibility is one of the most important aspects of... GReedDiamond Mar 17 #58

There was a time that his schtick with women was considered funny ms liberty Mar 15 #28

Asshole! Floyd R. Turbo Mar 15 #43

Nicolas Cage, Leaving Las Vegas, 1996.. Permanut Mar 15 #29

Another one that pissed me off! Floyd R. Turbo Mar 15 #44

'99 "Shakespeare in Love" over "Saving Private Ryan" AND '93 Pacino as Best Actor underpants Mar 15 #31

"Scent of a Woman" was NOT Al Pacino's best performance by a long shot. MIButterfly Mar 15 #33

Absolutely. From Michael* to Serpico to Dog Day underpants Mar 15 #35

I HATED that movie...one of the worst I've seen! Totally Tunsie Mar 15 #38

Yep! Floyd R. Turbo Mar 15 #45

'True Shit" as we used to say Klarkashton Mar 16 #52

🤗 Floyd R. Turbo Mar 16 #54