Ernest Borgnine Hails Navy Sailors

Navy NewsStand ^ | 3/10/2004 | Journalist 2nd Class Kimberly Rodgers, Navy News Service

[BykrBayb]

Story Number: NNS040310-07 Release Date: 3/10/2004 11:12:00 AM

By Journalist 2nd Class Kimberly Rodgers, Navy News Service

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Academy award-winning actor Ernest Borgnine spent time with Sailors March 9 at the U.S. Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C. During the visit, Borgnine shared with Sailors the influence the Navy has had on his life.

After 10 years of naval service during World War II, Borgnine, 87, said he became more responsible.

"Being here brought back so many memories," he reminisced, often overcome with emotion. "The idea of being a part of something so enormous taught me how to be a man. It gave me something to prove to myself--and to my country. I'd like to be able to do it all over again."

Borgnine, who joined the Navy in 1935, served on the now-decommisioned USS Lamberton (DD 119), reaching the rank of Chief Gunner's Mate, and went on to land the lead role in the popular television series "McHale's Navy." With more than 150 films to his credit, Borgnine received the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in the hit movie "Marty" in 1955.

"Being in his company was amazing," said Seaman Jordan Logan of U.S. Ceremonial Guard Command, Washington. "Just coming into the Navy, you get lots of advice. It always makes a difference when the advice comes from someone who's actually worn the uniform--and went on to do great things."

"I've seen so many of his movies," said Personnelman 2nd Class Jocelyn Smith of Naval Air Facility, Washington. "This is like a dream come true. He's a real class act. You get the feeling he really cares about our service."

A teary-eyed Borgnine concluded the session by saying to Sailors, "You're serving a great country. Always, always do your best."

For more news from around the fleet, visit the Navy NewsStand at www.news.navy.mil.

040308-N-2383B-007 Washington, D.C., (Mar. 8, 2004) – Acclaimed Academy Award winning actor and World War II combat veteran Chief's Gunner Mate Ernest Borgnine, stopped by the Pentagon to meet with Adm. Michael G. Mullen, Vice Chief of Naval Operations (VCNO). Mr. Borgnine is in the D.C. area to meet with military personnel and will be the Master of Ceremonies for the 2004 Lone Sailor Awards Dinner. A 1997 recipient of the award established in 1987 to honor naval service veterans who have distinguished themselves in their professions through public service and national leadership. Mr. Borgnine will present this years award to Mr. Ben Bradlee, vice president at of the Washington Post and Adm. Stansfield Turner, USN (Ret.), director of the CIA from 1997 to 1981. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Photographer's Mate Johnny Bivera. (RELEASED)

[laotzu]

At his request, I broke into a safe in the Waikiki hotel room in which Tony Curtis was staying.

When I arrived, with security gaurds in tow; room service had just delivered his supper. Mr Curtis asked the security gaurds to leave, and invited me to join him for the meal.

I spent the next 45 minutes enjoying a meal, and conversation, with Tony Curtis....just the two of us.

I never broached the subject of Hollywood, movies, watching him since I was a toddler, or how hot his daughter was(Trading Places had just released). I never gave any indication that I recognized him at all, and fancy that was the primary reason he requested my company.

He was very pleasant company, and the conversation was relaxed & quite enjoyable.

Most of the people I have shared this with have no idea who Tony Curtis is. Always being surrounded by children sucks.

[Celtic Conservative]

uss lamberton...

Ah, old WWI era four piper. things stayed in service forever, and many got sold to the british during lend lease.

CC

[mass55th]

One of my first memories of Tony Curtis is in the movie "The Vikings" which he made with his wife and Kirk Douglas. It's showing on one of the cable channels again. Can't remember which one though. Then I remember him in "Houdini" again with his wife, and of course in the all-time favorite "Some Like It Hot." He's been in several other flicks and it's always good to see these old-timers again.

[GSWarrior]

Williard has always been a guilty pleasure of mine.

[laotzu]

I have two of his best movies on DVD; Some Like it Hot and Operation Petticoat.

It's a hoot to watch him first imitating Cary Grant, and then star opposite him.

It's a damn shame that stars no longer shine the way they once did. I have much appreciation for Ernest Borgnine, and his recently deceased good friend, the great Jack Elam.

[mass55th]

I watched a program on PBS the other night. It was about entertaining the troops in WWII. It was an older program as it showed a '91 reunion between Bob Hope and Francis Langford. It was great seeing the old radio broadcasts and films of how Hollywood took charge and did everything they could to entertain the troops and push the war machine. A day or two after Pearl Harbor, the studio big wigs called a big meeting and got the ball rolling on producing the war films, etc. that helped the folks get through the hard times. You look at Hollywood today and all one can do is shake their head at how pathetic they are and how lacking they are in supporting the troops.

I'm a big WWII music fan. Besides all the CD's I've got, I listen to many of the old programs on the internet radio station Live365. There's Fibber McGee & Molly, Gunsmoke, Superman, Captain Midnight, Milton Berle, Jack Benney, Bob Hope, Abbot & Costello, plus the old mystery/horror radio shows, not to mention all the great swing/jazz music from the 40's. Last night one of the stations was running comedy shows that dealt with income tax. I guess back then your taxes had to be in by 3/15 as the Ozzie & Harriet Show I listened to was dated from March 1949 and said that the taxes had to be in by then. I can sit at my computer for hours and laugh my ass off at the jokes. These stations and old programs are really priceless.