The Real Glenn Ford Story (Great Read!)

NewsMax ^ | 9/1/06 | Phil Brennan

[wagglebee]

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.

It's difficult to believe that Hollywood was once full of patriots.

[Fawnn]

Canteen ping!

[GeorgiaDawg32]

he belonged to a hollywood of long ago, one in which patriotism, and love of country (and the willingness to go to war) were honored and respected..

alas, it's amazing that in only 60 years, it would be 180 out..

[VOA]

bump

[fieldmarshaldj]

"It's difficult to believe that Hollywood was once full of patriots."

Now, it's just simply full of it.

[stm]

They are a lost breed. Gone forever. Alec Guinness, James Doohan, David Niven, James Stewart, Clark Gable, Charlton Heston, Earnest Borgnine, Charles Durning, Charles Bronson, George C. Scott, Eddie Albert, Brian Keith, Lee Marvin, John Russell, Robert Ryan, Tyrone Power, Audie Murphy and others.

[good old days]

Wow! Thanks for posting this article.

[SeaBiscuit]

Always liked Glenn Ford as an actor but has no idea of his great military history.. RIP Mr. Ford, thanks for the memories and your great service to America. They don't make them like this anymore.

[jazusamo]

Thanks for posting this.

Glenn Ford was a great actor, a true patriot but most of all he was one of America's finest. God Bless his soul.

[uncbob]

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.

First time I ever heard this

I think Martha Raye also served in Vietnam and was blackballed in Hollywood because of it

[wagglebee]

The two main ones I think you forgot are Ronald Reagan and John Wayne (though he never served).

[dighton]

If overlooked here, not across the pond:

In the Second World War Ford served with the Marines, and was seconded to the French Resistance. He rarely spoke of his military service; and it was only 30 years later, when he was presented with a Liberator's Award by the Simon Wiesenthal Centre for Holocaust Studies, that it emerged he had been responsible for an act of extraordinary courage and compassion.

Immediately after Germany's surrender, Ford had discovered that, while attention was focused on Dachau, some 15,000 intended victims were still alive, but barely, at the nearby camp of Fernwald, outside Munich. Defying orders that rations should not be diverted to displaced persons, Ford persuaded supply-sergeants to turn a blind eye while he loaded his truck with food and medical supplies for the starving survivors. It was a lifeline he kept going for seven weeks. He was credited with single-handedly saving the lives of between 5,000 and 6,000 of the abandoned inmates, and women in the camp named new-born sons after him.

— Telegraph obit.

[stm]

Are you kidding? John Wayne served in all 4 branches of the Service, from enlisted to flag rank! :-)

[Deo volente]

Charles Durning is still with us. He's 83 years old, and continues to make an appearance every year at the national Memorial Day concert on PBS.

I understand he still has nightmares over his combat experiences.

[navyblue]

I am not questioning Mr. Ford's military service, but I am a little confused on some of this. I do not recall the Marine Corps serving in Europe during WW II. (Yes, I am that old.) But I'm willing to have somebody set me straight. And what's up with the Marine Corps to Navy and enlisted/commissioned switching?

[wagglebee]

Wow!

[Parley Baer]

I also did not all of his military history. Very impressive. Puts the current libs to shame.

[jackibutterfly]

"They are a lost breed. Gone forever. Alec Guinness, James Doohan, David Niven, James Stewart, Clark Gable, Charlton Heston, Earnest Borgnine, Charles Durning, Charles Bronson, George C. Scott, Eddie Albert, Brian Keith, Lee Marvin, John Russell, Robert Ryan, Tyrone Power, Audie Murphy and others."

HOW could you forget to name John Wayne???

[madison10]

Glenn Ford. Still has a nice ring to it for a baby's name. Thanks for the story!

[Hildy]

see post #12!