Celebrities who fought in World War II
Seventy years ago today, the United States entered the war against Japan. Many celebrities served in what became World War II, prominent people from every cultural niche. The list below is just a start; add your favorites in the comment string!
Seventy years ago today, the United States entered the war against Japan. Many celebrities served in what became World War II, prominent people from every cultural niche. The list below is just a start; add your favorites in the comment string!
Film: Literally hundreds of film stars took part, including Eddie Albert (Bronze Star), Robert Altman, Mel Brooks, Paul Newman, Ronald Reagan, Mickey Rooney (Bronze Star), Jimmy Stewart (Distinguished Flying Cross), and Orson Welles. Standup comedians Lenny Bruce and Jonathan Winters also served.
TV/Radio: Newsman Walter Cronkite. Celebrity cook and early TV pioneer Julia Child did top-secret work with the Office of Strategic Services, forerunner of the CIA. Televangelist Billy Graham. Don Adams (Get Smart) was wounded in the battle of Guadalcanal, and Rod Serling (Twilight Zone) was wounded in Manila.
Literature/Fine arts: Literary celebs who saw service included Saul Bellow, Albert Camus (in the French resistance), James Dickey, Betty Friedan, Jack Kerouac, Kenneth Koch, Norman Mailer, J.D. Salinger, Karl Shapiro, and Kurt Vonnegut. Painters included Jackson Pollock and Andrew Wyeth. Musical celebrities who served included Leonard Bernstein, Woody Guthrie, Charlie Parker, and Muddy Waters. Édith Piaf claimed to have worked in the French resistance.