Celebrity heroes

mbryan

mbryan

New member
Some have been a bit offended that Lee Marvin is buried in a grove of 3 and 4 star generals at Arlington. His marker gives his name, rank (PVT) and service(USMC). Nothing else.

Here's a guy who was only a famous movie star who served
his time, why the heck does he rate burial with these guys? Well, following isthe amazing answer: I always liked Lee Marvin, but did not know the extent of his Corps experiences. In a time when many Hollywood stars served their country in the armed forces, often in rear-echelon posts where they were carefully protected, only to be trotted out to perform for the cameras in war bond promotions, Lee Marvin was a genuine hero. He won the Navy Cross at Iwo Jima. There is only one higher award... the Medal Of Honor.

If that is a surprising comment on the true character of the man,
he credits his sergeant with an even greater show of bravery.

Dialog From The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson ... His guest was Lee Marvin.

Johnny said, "Lee, I'll bet a lot of people are unaware that you were a Marine in the initial landing at Iwo Jima ... and that during the course of that action you earned the Navy Cross and were severely wounded."

And you know how Lee was ... "Yeah, yeah ... I got shot
square in the ass and they gave me the cross for securing a hot spot about halfway up Suribachi ... bad thing about getting shot up on a mountain is guys gettin' shot hauling you down. But Johnny, at Iwo I served under the bravest man I ever knew ...

We both got the Cross the same day but what he did for his Cross made mine look cheap in comparison. The dumb bastard actually stood up on Red beach and directed his troops to move forward and get the hell off the beach. That Sergeant and I have been lifelong friends.

"When they brought me off Suribachi we passed the Sergeant and he lit a smoke and passed it to me lying on my belly on the litter ...'Where'd they get you Lee?'... ' Well Bob ... if you make it home before me, tell Mom to sell the outhouse.'.....

Johnny, I'm not lying ... Sergeant Keeshan was the bravest man I ever Knew ... Bob Keeshan ... You and the world know him as Captain Kangaroo."
 
Matt

Some of the story is right however Lee Marvin was not awarded the Navy Cross. He was awarded a Purple Heart for wounds received in Saipan in 1944. If I recall correctly it was Bob Keeshan, who was awarded the Navy Cross.


David
USMC Sgt. 65-69
 
4 star general

hey david, you never guess who i shook hands with and had a chat with last sunday...".general chuck krulac" a allround nice guy
with his feet on the ground...he has been over here now for a couple of years and is my wifes boss.

i'm not sure but from your dates i think you was in together...?

cheers paul.
 
When I was in his dad was a Two Star and he was a Captain. Can you get Chuck Krulacs Email? Would like to send him a note.

David
 
email

dave, it was at a cornboil day when i met him, the next time i am likely to bump into him is at the christmas party.
i will ask the wife to see what she can do but as you can imagine he is right at the top of the corprate pile and he just turns up out the blue, to pat people on the back for a well done job and is gone
leaving evryone pumped up and ready to go.

so i will try my best for you.

paul
 
Do you have any idea if his dad is still alive????

Thanks

David
 
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