They missed killing me by this much!
Posted on 09/01/2006 6:02:48 PM PDT by wagglebee
When Glenn Ford died Thursday morning at the age of 90, major media recalled his long Hollywood career, recalling the 106 films in which he appeared, his many marriages and romances. Wrote the Associated Press, "He was a star to the end of his career."
Glenn Ford was far more than that, yet none of the obituaries bothered to mention his extraordinary patriotism or his distinguished military career. Ford rose to the rank of Captain in the United States Navy after years of dedicated service that began with World War II and continued through the Vietnam War.
He was undoubtedly a star, one of Hollywood's enduring major stars, but as his biography on a Web site devoted to his long life states, his accomplishments were even larger than life off-screen. As his son Peter once told NewsMax.com, Ford was "one of those Ronald Reagan, true-blue American types."
At the beginning of World War II Glenn served in the Coast Guard Auxiliary. In 1942 he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. As a Marine he helped build safe houses in occupied France for those hiding from the Nazis and was among the first Americans to enter the infamous Dachau concentration camp at war’s end. He went on to serve in the Navy and at war's end he was commissioned a Commander in the Naval Reserves.
Committed to service in the armed forces, Ford also served two tours of duty in Vietnam with the Third Marine Amphibious Force in 1966-1968. He once went on a jungle mission with a Special Forces Team during the Vietnam War. Ford was the only actor to have served with both the Green Berets and the French Foreign Legion and his military record is well recognized in both the United States and France as a highly decorated veteran.
Among his numerous medals and commendations are the Medal of Honor presented by the Veterans of Foreign Wars; the Medaille de la France Libre for the liberation of France; two commendation medals from the U.S. Navy; and the Vietnamese Legion of Merit. He received the rank of Captain with the U.S. Naval Reserves in 1968; retiring in 1977.
Ford bravely served his country in two wars (not on the sidelines, but in the front lines) facing enemy fire on many occasions and never expecting to be treated like a Hollywood star but as a fellow fighting man. He was indeed a hero both on and off the screen.
That's the way Glenn Ford would want to be remembered.
Two years ago he told NewsMax.com, "Let's never forget that to remain free we must always be strong. That's an important lesson I learned in my Navy career in World War II. National defense must be the top priority for our country. If you are strong, you are safe. Now is the time for every American to be proud. This is the land of the free and the home of the brave. If we are not brave, we will not be free."
Glenn Ford lived the motto of the Marine Corps, Semper Fidelis -He was always faithful to the nation he served so long and so well.
Semper Fi, Glenn
We once had Mc Carthy and Nixon rooting the "travelers" out of Hollywood. J. Edgar Hoover probably kept them in line also. People seem to forget that Mc Carthy actually FOUND commies and exposed them. One I can remember is finding out that Lucy Ricardo was a card carrying communist. I didn't believe it at first, then she admitted it and they had a copy of her membership. She said it was a mistake and she didn't understand what it meant. Many in the limousine liberal set thought it was cool to be commie back then. After they got black balled and exposed, they stayed in line for many years until Viet Nam.
I was only listing people that actually served in the military. I apologize for leaving out Ronald Reagan. There is no disputing that John Wayne was a super-patriot. And a hero and role model in every sense of the word.
I couldn't agree more. Also, the actresses of that time supported their country in any way they could with the Hollywood Canteen, war bonds, going over to see "The boys" with the USO and any other way they could. And then there was Carole Lombard...she may not have been in uniform, but she died serving her country. They don't make 'em like they used to!
Just like Don Adams on Get Smart. I had no idea he was a Sergeant in the Marines who served and nearly died in Guadalacanal.
God works in mysterious ways.
"I am not questioning Mr. Ford's military service, but I am a little confused on some of this. "
There is confusion, I think the gist of it on this thread is true, but that people that have reported on it over his lifetime don't have the military experience to pin it down perfectly.
I have a great interest in a history like his, and so far I haven't been able to find a totally satisfactory version.
dighton's link in post 12 is a good read also.
Glenn Ford was a genuine American hero and patriot. Now THERE would be a great story--a well-made biopic of Glenn Ford's exciting life.
They missed killing me by this much!
I understand he was in the invasion of Normandy.
This was a nice post. I am a fan of old movies and old Hollywood. Glenn Ford was one of my favorites. My favorite Ford movie is "Experiment In Terror". God Bless Glenn Ford and the many Old Hollywood actors that were Americans First.
Ernest Borgnine is still alive too. He will be 90 in January of next year.
Charleton Heston is still alive too although not in very good shape from what I hear.
Robert Montgomery (father of Bewitched's late star, Elizabeth) was a Commander in the Navy as well.
But none of these Hollywood "stars" of today (and I use the word "star" VERY loosely) can hold a candle to any of these greats. We will never see their like again.
And... He was born in Canada.
I second wagglebee's "Wow!"
Re: John Wayne, you gotta give him credit for doing the greatest impression of having served. If you asked the man on the street, I bet he would think that John Wayne served from WWII to Vietnam.
My goodness,they don't make Hollywood types like this anymore.
Thanks for such a good pic of the man!
And Neville Brand.
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