Posted on 07/17/2018 4:40:21 PM PDT by eastforker
Van Cleefs first love was the sea; he volunteered as both an air warden and plane spotter in high school and enlisted in the U.S. Navy after graduating at age 17 in compressed high school course in 1942.
He enter service on Oct 16, 1942 and went to Sonorman School and graduated as a third class petty office Sonorman. His reported to his first vessel a subchaser with no name called USS SC-681 from March 15, 1943 to January 16,1944. During his time on board he was promoted to 2nd Class Petty Officer Sonorman. This SC-681 patrolled the Caribbean in search of German U-Boats.
He went for more training at Fleet Sound School, Key West, FL, for a few weeks. He was was transferred to Savannah, GA to be part of the pre-commissioning crew of a new ship.
(Excerpt) Read more at navy.togetherweserved.com ...
He even appeared in an episode of Lost In Space, as a cowboy-like space miner. And as a Devil cult leader in the film Brotherhood of Satan.
One of my favorites was “Mr. Poe” in “Hard Times” with James Coburn and Charles Bronson. Played a 1930’s hop head doctor. Then there is of course “Cool Hand Luke”.
The guy made it look effortless. His speech cadence and mannerisms were hilarious at times.
Oh, how I loved watching him in westerns as a young boy. He was a thrillingly effective villian. His fierce countenance could curdle milk right along with my innards! He is missed.
My dad was too - well he was farther south. On Eniwetok for awhile - on the minesweeper Merganser iirc.
” I generally smoke just after I eat. Come back in ten minutes.” Van Cleef.
“ In ten minutes you’ll be smokin’ in hell.” The Hunchback.
A squinting duel? My money would be on Eastwood!
Do you mean "sonarman?"
Regards,
I went to your link and read it all. Very interesting guy and one of my favorites in the Spaghetti westerns!
Thanks for posting these profiles!
Sweet story
He lost part of his finger while building a play house for his little daughter.
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