Posted on 07/23/2018 3:47:10 PM PDT by eastforker
Mickey Rooney's Service Record. In June of 1944, Mickey was inducted into the United States Army at Fort MacArthur in San Pedro, Calif. Three days later he boarded a troop train headed for Fort Riley, Kansas where the Mick was instructed in cavalry tactics. A trooper for sure, Mickey particularly enjoyed basic training: the forced marches with heavy packs, the obstacle courses, and especially time spent on the rifle range where he qualified as sharpshooter with the automatic rifle. He was quite clearly leadership material and within two weeks time was promoted to squad leader. Despite that the Mick excelled in tactics and training, a whiner in the group incited trouble by stating that the only reason Rooney received promotion to squad leader was because of his Hollywood celebrity status. Entirely untrue, Mickey would not have anyone, not even a veteran, denegrate his love of country and honorable service. He called the soldier out. The two came to fistacuffs--bare knuckle--with the entire squad looking on. Rooney, famous for his short stature, got the best of his opponent before the fight was broken up. Afterward, the two made amends over a couple of brews. There were no other questions raised as to Mickey's patriotism, nor did anyone wish to test the "punch" of the "little giant."
(Excerpt) Read more at army.togetherweserved.com ...
No, he was playing SAR pilot CPO Mike Forney in The Bridges at Toko Ri.
He was fantastic in it.
If you’ve got an hour, here he is in an episode of Combat.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PI9jPQ39YHI
OK, I looked it up. Different guy in “Darby O’Gill.” I don’t know if I’ve seen “The Bridges at Toko Ri.” I’ll check Netflix and my library.
At Reagan’s funeral I distinctly remember Rooney saluting Reagan’s coffin in his (Rooney’s) WW2 uniform, this was in California as the sun set. Eyes tear up. I have never been able to find that picture/scene on the internet, but I know I saw it.
Great movie but a sad ending, so get ready for that.
Thanks for the warning!
I have read several times the assessment that Mickey Rooney was the best American actor of all time. I don’t agree with that, my vote would go to Cagney.
I might say Rooney was the best too.
Orson Wells said that he considered Ray Collins (Lt. Tragg) as the best he ever saw.
“I wonder how many current stars that have served?”
Here’s a few contemporary vets:
Ice-T, Morgan Freeman, Chuck Norris, Mr. T, Clint Eastwood
https://www.military.com/veterans-day/top-10-celebrity-veterans.html
Where do we get such men? They leave this ship and they do their job. Then they must find this speck lost somewhere on the sea. When the find it they have to land on its pitching deck. Where do we get such men?
As the members of the air wing replied to the Admiral:
"In any bar...."
He was brilliant as a retarded guy in a tv movie; “Bill”.
It’s a great big universe
And we’re all really puny
We’re just tiny little specks
About the size of Mickey Rooney
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