Trading Fame for Honor. The MOST famous soldiers.

[LeslieWest_GuitarGod]

Big ups to the Coast Guard! Everybody seems to forget about this branch... not I.

Humphrey Bogart





"Bogie" in the US Navy during World War I in 1917. He joined the Coast Guard Auxiliary in the 1940s.

Arnold Palmer
Noone in golf was more popular than this guy...



(Right) Arnold and President Ford.


Alexander Palmer Haley

He was a world renowned writer and a Coast Guard veteran. His most famous work, of course, was the classic "Roots. "



Sid Caesar

One of the all time great comedians.



Mel Torme



Ted Turner

One of the most successful TV businessmen in history.

[phalaeo]

Itt is always an honor to pay tribute to the
brave men and Women who serve.

Indeed.

/salute

[JohnWarlock]

Leslie, I don't know how this would fit into your thread of famous people that served when they didn't have to, but John F. Kennedy, actually pulled strings to get himself in the Navy after the Army wouldn't have him. He served from 1941 to 1945, and did see Combat Action.

[LeslieWest_GuitarGod]

John F. Kennedy

One of the most beloved Presidents that ever lived. He was one of the all time greatest speakers that ever graced public office. His senseless loss, and the equally senseless loss of his brother Robert, will ALWAYS be felt deep in the hearts of those who knew him, knew of him, and loved him.

[LeslieWest_GuitarGod]

Leslie, I don't know how this would fit into your thread of famous people that served when they didn't have to, but John F. Kennedy, actually pulled strings to get himself in the Navy after the Army wouldn't have him. He served from 1941 to 1945, and did see Combat Action.

Great mention. Definitely fits my theme here. Hope you enjoyed my lil tribute to JFK.

/salute

[LordMond63]

Something that crossed my mind- don't quite know what it means but it's interesting.

Have we elected a President who served in a combat role in a war after World War 2? As the last "Good War" (hate the term...no war is ever "good". necessary, yes. but never good) receeds further and further into history, does the fact that someone serves in the military factor into their electability any longer?

[Zippo]

Jackie Robinson.

There was also NBA star David Robinson, who served in the Naval Reserves for 6 years after completing training at the Naval Academy and proceeding onto his basketball career



There is also Ronald Reagan



I will say that even though he is not from the U.S. Prince Harry of Wales fits into that category of people who are risking a lot in military service of their country.

[Bekki]

Let us not forget...

Montel Williams.

(Us Navy Reserves)

[Bekki]

Something that crossed my mind- don't quite know what it means but it's interesting.

Have we elected a President who served in a combat role in a war after World War 2? As the last "Good War" (hate the term...no war is ever "good". necessary, yes. but never good) receeds further and further into history, does the fact that someone serves in the military factor into their electability any longer?

That is a good question.

Presidential Candidates

John Kerry and John McCain both served but were not
elected.

Vice President Joe Biden I believe was also in the military.

Both president Bushes served in the Navy.

Although I do not Believe President George W. Bush saw action.

His father served in WWII. ( he was shot down)

[Althotas]

Ronald Reagan served during WW II but had to stay stateside due to vision problems.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...litary_service is good list of presidents with their military service

[Cheddar]

Something that crossed my mind- don't quite know what it means but it's interesting.

Have we elected a President who served in a combat role in a war after World War 2? As the last "Good War" (hate the term...no war is ever "good". necessary, yes. but never good) receeds further and further into history, does the fact that someone serves in the military factor into their electability any longer?

Military service has played a huge part in electability since WWII.

Harry S. Truman served as an artillery officer during WWI and saw action right up until the last minutes of the cease fire.

Dwight D. Eisenhower, a career military man, graduated from West Point and served during WWI (non-combat role). He went on to become a five star general and Supreme Commander of the Allied forces in Europe during WWII. I don't think he ever saw actual combat, but winning the war in Europe counts for something. He was probably elected solely on the basis of his military success.

John F. Kennedy was a PT boat commander in the Pacific arena during WWII. He originally tried to volunteer in the army, but was turned away because of his back problems. Strings were pulled and he got into the Navy. His service was eventful to say the least and he would earn quite a few medals (and a hollywood movie).

Lyndon B. Johnson was commissioned an officer in the naval reserves in 1941 while serving in the House of Representatives (what are the odds of that today?). He tried his hardest to obtain a combat assignment. Whether or not he was successful in this is controversial, but he did win a silver star.

Richard Nixon, who was eligible for exemption, joined the navy in 1942 and rose to the rank of lieutenant commander. He saw no combat, but served honorably.

Gerald Ford, an eagle scout and notable college football player, joined the Navy after graduating from law school in 1941. He did so directly because of Pearl Harbor. He served in many capacities. Although his service was not glamorized as Kennedy's was, he saw action and earned many honors including two bronze stars.

Jimmy Carter was admitted to the Naval Academy in 1943 and jonied the Navy in 1946, too late for WWII. He served until 1953 and obviously saw no combat by virtue of timing.

Ronald Reagan joined the Army Enlisted Reserves in 1937 as a private and was ordered to active duty in 1942. He was disqualified for combat duty due to poor eyesight, but served every other way he could including a stint in Public Relations and making training films (naturally). Captain Reagan left the army in 1945.

George H. W. Bush joined the Navy in 1941 and became the youngest naval aviator (up to that time) at age 18. His service is legendary and he went on to earn three Air Medals and the Distinguished Flying Cross for his actions in the Pacific. He was shot down in 1944 during a bombing run off the island Chichi-jima but he and his crew managed to score several hits on the way down. The event is one of many detailed in the book Flyboys, which I highly, highly recommend.

From there on, things taper off by virtue of timing. However, the baby boomer generation and the preceeding generation nearly mandated some sort of military service to earn votes. Although it doesn't seem to earn much cache these days, I suspect in 10 years or so we'll see quite a few candidates with Iraq and Afghanistan service.

Great thread by the way.

[Bekki]

Big ups to the Coast Guard! Everybody seems to forget about this branch... not I.

Nestled within the United States Marine Corps Museum is a Wall...
It is not brightly lit... in fact the corner is rather dim... perhaps...
it is meant to be this way...

On that wall is the Some 3,500 uniform collar Emblems on the men and women
who died on the Island of IWO Jima in WWII... Nestled among the Myriad of
"Eagle Globe and Achor" and Fouled Anchor Emblems of the Marines and Navy Sailors
is a Lonely and Unassuming Emblem. it is unusual for its Uniqueness...

It is the collar emblem of A US Coast Guard Petty Officer...
He was the driver of one of the many Landing Craft destroyed
during the beach assault on that Miserable Rock.

So to whosever has the Temerity to say that the Coast Guard is Not a "Real"
Branch of the Military I say to you...

"WRONG SIR! WRONG!"

"Go tell it to the Marines!"

[LeslieWest_GuitarGod]

Nestled within the United States Marine Corps Museum is a Wall...
It is not brightly lit... in fact the corner is rather dim... perhaps...
it is meant to be this way...

On that wall is the Some 3,500 uniform collar Emblems on the men and women
who died on the Island of IWO Jima in WWII... Nestled among the Myriad of
"Eagle Globe and Achor" and Fouled Anchor Emblems of the Marines and Navy Sailors
is a Lonely and Unassuming Emblem. it is unusual for its Uniqueness...

It is the collar emblem of A US Coast Guard Petty Officer...
He was the driver of one of the many Landing Craft destroyed
during the beach assault on that Miserable Rock.

So to whosever has the Temerity to say that the Coast Guard is Not a "Real"
Branch of the Military I say to you...

"WRONG SIR! WRONG!"

"Go tell it to the Marines!"

Heck yeah,

and to put your word into a picture to those who must SEE to believe? Witness this:

[LordMond63]

Cheddar:

I guess I phrased my question poorly.

What I was trying to ask is, Have we elected someone President who served a combat role after 1945?

Pretty much everyone through George H.W. Bush were of the Greatest Generation and served in WW2. Carter did serve post WW2 but, as you mentioned, did not see combat. George W. Bush served in the Air National Guard during Vietnam but did not see combat either.

Also as you pointed out, combat experience did not help get John Kerry or John McCain elected (or Bob Dole, for that matter).

I think you could make the case that, for perhaps the first time in the country's history, military service is a comparatively minor factor in a successful Presidential candidate. I can't think of a time where it was perceived to mean less. I just wonder if others have pondered this or if I benefit from having way too much free time.

From there on, things taper off by virtue of timing. However, the baby boomer generation and the preceeding generation nearly mandated some sort of military service to earn votes. Although it doesn't seem to earn much cache these days, I suspect in 10 years or so we'll see quite a few candidates with Iraq and Afghanistan service.

I think this is an excellent point.

We forget just how young many that served in Gulf 1, Afghanistan and Iraw were/are. Thier time will come. In fact, I think we're seeing quite a few vets of those conflicts running for Congress this year. We'll see what effect service has on their political careers.

[LeslieWest_GuitarGod]

Montel Williams



Prince Harry of Whales. One of the biggest modern day surprises. This child born into riches and fame had ZERO necessity to put himself in harms way. So much for the easy life, he chose to bear arms and fight for freedom.



Ronald Reagan



John Kerry



John McCain

To the rescue: John McCain, lying on his back across a bamboo log, is saved by villagers - including Mai Van On - after his jet was shot down in 1967. Once John McCain's captors figured out that he was related to Admiral McCain, they offered to let him go. McCain refused, demanding that they let other POW’s go first who’d been there longer. Once he refused they were merciless. McCain shared a cell with Medal of Honor winner Col. Bud Day, a man who escaped the Viet Cong with a sprang knee, lived in the jungle on berries and uncooked frogs, swam across a river with an arm that was broken in three places and was captured AGAIN by the Viet Cong… where he met none other than John McCain.



Reunited: Senator McCain and his Vietnamese rescuer Mai Van On in Hanoi in 1996





Harry Truman



Dwight D. Eisenhower




General Dwight D Eisenhower arrives at Downing Street, in the UK, with his son Lieutenant John Eisenhower. This man was a lifetime military man, one of the most respected military minds of all time, none the less one that sat proudly in the White House.

[Bekki]

Heck yeah,

and to put your word into a picture to those who must SEE to believe? Witness this:

Nice...



And here is a Picture I took of... The Wall.




Every emblem represents a Sailor or Marine who gave their life during the battle of Iwo Jima.

[Doomcrew]

Another notable pro-wrestler, Jesse Ventura.


Cheers
/salute

[herzkos]

2 additions, I think. . .

Bill Cosby: U.S. Navy, enlisted in 1956
Shipboard and shore duty.


John T Walton (son of founder of wal-mart):
Dropped out of college in 1968 and enlisted in U.S. Army.
Green Beret Medic in Vietnam.
Won the Silver Star in the A Shau Valley.

[cdbd3rd]

Many surprises here - and great photo finds.


Was thinking of tossing Sean Connery (3 yrs Royal Navy) into the thread - but he doesn't really fall into the mainly US-centric flavor of the list, and it was before his fame.


Not done looking yet. Am looking at a different angle for my offering.


edit:

This wasn't what I'm hunting for, but did surprise me:

Alan Alda - Actor, Director, Screenwriter

Alda joined the Army Reserve after graduating from Fordham. He completed the minimum six-month tour of duty as a gunnery officer during the Korean War.


Some I may have missed in thread already:

Mel brooks
Ice-T

last edit:

Okay, I was looking for famous women who had served. This is as close as I got:
women veterans

[LeslieWest_GuitarGod]

Jesse "The Body" Ventura



Sean Connery



World War II photo of Sean Connery.

Sean Connery pictured in 1949 at Hillsea lido in Portsmouth, when he was a member of the Royal Navy.

Alan Alda



Jimmy Stewart.

During World War II, Stewart served as a bomber pilot, his service record crediting him with leading more than 20 missions over Germany, and taking part in hundreds of air strikes during his tour of duty. Stewart earned the Air Medal, the Distinguished Flying Cross, France’s Croix de Guerre, and 7 Battle Stars during World War II.




Jimmy Carter





Jimmy Carter receiving the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.