The reality is he enjoyed fame and fortune for it. I will never consider him a hero.
This is a real hero:
http://www.biography.com/people/audie-murphy-9418662
Charles Durning was in a lot of battles including D-Day. He was wounded 3 times and once was the only survivor of an attack on a machine gun.
He also earned the Bronze Star in addition to the purple hearts.
Who said anything about Wayne being a “hero”? Not me.
Wayne made a bunch of very enjoyable movies which I enjoy still. They generally exemplified pro-American themes and were considered to be true American icons.
He was no more a “hero” than a boxer, or a marshal or a rancher.
He was famous before WWII occurred. And wealthy.
He also stood up to the Commies when they were taking over Hollywood unlike another of my favorite actors, Bogie. There is a big reason the Left HATES John Wayne.
Audie Murphy was a wormy farm kid who enlisted, became a hero, and parlayed it into fame and fortune. Good for him. I wish more current vets were able to do the same.
John Wayne had fame and fortune before the war. He wouldn’t consider himself a hero, either.