[Wolfstar]

Although the Left loved to mock the service of President Reagan, the truth is that he joined the Army Reserve as a private in 1937 as rumors of a second war in Europe began. If not the first Hollywood star to volunteer, he was certainly among the very first. Following intensive training he was Commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the Officers Reserve Corps of the Cavalry. (As we who love RWR know, he was a terrific horseman his entire life.)

In 1942, he was called to active duty with the US Army Air Corps. Due to an old football injury, he was not allowed into a combat unit. He was assigned to the 1st Motion Picture Unit, which made over 400 training films. Those training films probably helped to save countless lives of soldiers, sailors and Marines, although I'm sure RWR wished he could have served in combat. In 1943 he was promoted to Captain, and it was in this grade that he was honorably discharged in 1945.

[SoCalPol]

Just brought up your thread. Besides the 1st Marine Div.
based here in San Diego also taking part is the 3rd Marine
Air Wing also based here.
My dad was with the 1st Marines in the Korean War.

[patriciaruth]

In his autobiography, Reagan said that he wasn't allowed in combat because his eyesight was really bad. He wore contacts all his life.