Posted on 06/23/2009 5:22:45 AM PDT by kellynla
Ed McMahon passed away this morning at age 86.
RIP Ed....
RIP
The man was a Marine fighter pilot in WW2.
i really liked Ed and Johnny. Apparently Ed was a veteran marine pilot of at least Korea and i think WW2 as well. I do know that he coached Nixon during his comeback in 68
God Bless him
He gave us many wonderful years of his life...thank you Ed.
My condolances to his loved ones, and may he rest in peace.
During World War II, McMahon was a United States Marines fighter pilot and he also served as a flight instructor and test pilot. He was a decorated pilot and was discharged in 1946, remaining in the reserves.
After college, McMahon returned to active Marine duty. He was sent to Korea in February 1953. He flew unarmed O-1E Bird Dogs on 85 tactical air control and artillery spotting missions. He remained in the Marine reserves, retiring with the rank of Colonel in 1966 and was then commissioned as a Brigadier General in the California Air National Guard.
Several of his ancestors, including the Marquis d’Equilly, also had long and distinguished military careers. Patrice MacMahon, duc de Magenta was a Marshal of armies in France, serving under Napoleon III, and later President. McMahon once asserted to Johnny Carson that mayonnaise was originally named MacMahonnaise in honor of this ancestor, referring to him as the Comte de MacMahon. In his autobiography, McMahon said that it was his father who told him of this relationship and he went on to suggest that he was not certain of the truth of the story.
ping
Classy guy and an important part of television history. RIP.
“During World War II, McMahon was a United States Marines fighter pilot and he also served as a flight instructor and test pilot. He was a decorated pilot and was discharged in 1946, remaining in the reserves.[3]
After college, McMahon returned to active Marine duty. He was sent to Korea in February 1953. He flew unarmed O-1E Bird Dogs on 85 tactical air control and artillery spotting missions. He remained in the Marine reserves, retiring with the rank of Colonel in 1966 and was then commissioned as a Brigadier General in the California Air National Guard.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed_McMahon
Semper Fi Marine.
His retirement was full of setbacks.
Sad.
He led a full life.
There are people who by dint of personality and time and place make the world nicer. There have been many ‘second bananas’ in show business but the team of Johnny Carson and Ed McMahon were amongst the best. I can never think of ‘Funk&Wagnalls’ without thinking of their patter. RIP Ed, I am sure Johnny is giving you a real welcome up there.
That alone was priceless!!!!
I got to meet Ed back in the late 70’s. Haiooooooooooo Ed!
Thanks Ed! RIP.
I can’t imagine the brawl for whatever is left of his estate
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