Posted on 06/22/2018 8:33:37 PM PDT by eastforker
James Arness, a World War II veteran beloved by millions for his iconic portrayal of Marshal Matt Dillon on the long-running Western TV series “Gunsmoke,” died June 3 after a long illness.
At 6 foot 7 inches, Arness was, quite literally, a big star, towering over even the likes of his good friend and Hollywood mentor John Wayne. But it was that same impressive height that prevented Arness from fulfilling his dream of being a naval aviator in World War II—he was simply too tall for cockpit duty. As a soldier in the 7th Regiment of the U.S. Army’s Third Infantry Division, Arness took part in the storming of Anzio in 1944. He was severely wounded in the leg by German machine-gun fire, receiving the Purple Heart and an injury that would plague him for the rest of his days. Arness also was awarded the Bronze Star, the Good Conduct Medal, and the European-Mideast Campaign Medal.
(Excerpt) Read more at usni.org ...
Audie Murphy was 5’5”.
The most decorated soldier in WWII. Amazing.
I just got done watching the first five episodes and yes, the first episode indeed was .
You bring back fond memories. Gunsmoke was a broadcast seldom missed by dad. Jim Arness was always a favorite.
Years ago,Bill O’Reilly had this interview with Jim - IMHO, one of his best.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjY7UKO_xjU
Something in the story doesn’t pass the smell test.
IF Arness died at 88, than he was born in 1930.
If he was born in 1930, and the Anzio invasion took place in 1944,
THAN Arness would have been 14 when Anzio took place.
Participating in a major military invasion overseas at 14?
Maybe not????
He was born in 1923.
These are not obits of someone that just died, these are articles of famous veterans some of who have been dead for many years.
Like Marshall Law?
Ken Curtis was a member of the Sons of the Pioneers.You can find him in a video singing, “Tumbling Tumbleweeds.”
LOL! No, unlike martial law!
Died June 3, 2011. Had he died this month at age 88, he would have been 15 years old in 1945. Other than that, a great patriot and hero!
AFAIKT, Scott Eastwood might be a manly man, too. Let’s hope for a resurgence of manly men. As a woman, I have absolutely no interest in watching metrosexuals or worse. May be that Chris Pratt has the potential to be a manly man, we will have to see how his career goes.
You must never have watched Gunsmoke. Miss Kitty was the single redhead who owned the saloon and was best friends with Matt Dillon.
I think they were a little closer than just best friends(..)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uue_lnTx9Sw
James Arness discusses Matt Dillon & Kitty’s relationship on Gunsmoke
Whatever Happened to Miss Kitty, Amanda Blake from ‘Gunsmoke’?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lkB6YZmz1w
Who is Amanda Blake’s(Miss Kitty’s) husband?
Mark Spaeth
m. 1984–1985
Frank Gilbert
m. 1967–1982
Jason Day
m. 1964–1967
Don Whitman
m. 1954–1955
I’d rather cook-up a mess of catfish you caught!
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