Celebrating some of MeTV's Purple Heart recipients

These household names had more than one decorated career.

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Let’s celebrate some of MeTV’s Purple Heart recipients
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Sunday, August 7 is Purple Heart Day, a holiday created to recognize and remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice or were wounded while serving in the United States Armed Forces. 

You may not know it, but several Hollywood names have also served their country, whether they were drafted into service or put their career aspirations on hold for a bigger cause. 

For Purple Heart Day, we wanted to celebrate some of MeTV's recipients of the distinguished award, and say thank you to all who have served. 

Though every Purple Heart recipient deserves recognition, below are some well-known names in the entertainment realm that have served, along with a quick rundown of what their time in the service looked like.

Did you know these stars, both in front of the camera and behind it, had decorated military careers?

1. Dan Blocker - Bonanza

Eight years before he cemented himself as one of the most recognizable characters in Western history as Hoss Cartwright, Dan Blocker was drafted into the Korean War. He was drafted into the 45th Infantry Division and was in active combat by 1951. During his 209 days with the Division, Blocker was injured while "coming to the rescue of other soldiers," according to military.com. His infantry Regiment, the 179th, was taken off front lines in 1952. Blocker was able to get the treatment he needed for his injuries, going home with a Purple Heart.


Image Credit: The Everett Collection

2. James Arness - Gunsmoke

Before appearing in all 635 episodes of Gunsmoke, one of the longest-running prime time television series of all-time, James Arness left World War II with a Purple Heart Award. Prior to becoming Marshall Matt Dillon, Arness was severely injured in the Battle of Anzio according to Medals of America. The Purple Heart Award wasn't the only military honor Arness received prior to Western stardom, as he collected a Bronze Star Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal and the Combat Infantryman Badge.


Image Credit: The Everett Collection

3. James Garner - Maverick

James Garner was no stranger to service. Before becoming Bret Maverick in Maverick, Garner served in the National Guard for seven months. After joining the Army, Garner was in the Korean War for 14 months, serving with the 5th Regimental Combat Team according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' Facebook page. After being wounded on multiple occasions, Garner was awarded the Purple Heart twice. After the war, his successful acting career was born. 

4. Rod Serling - The Twilight Zone

Rod Serling served in World War II before he created one of the top sci-fi shows of the 1950s, The Twilight Zone.  According to Military.com, Serling enlisted after graduating high school. His unit, the 11th Airborne Division, entered the front lines in 1944. He was transferred after his squad leader said "Serling didn't have the wits or aggressiveness required for combat" the article states. Despite the harsh words, Serling received a Purple Heart with his discharge in 1946 after being wounded twice. After his injuries and prior to his discharge, Serling "ran into the shellfire to rescue a performer," with his new unit. Next to his Purple Heart Award was a Bronze Star and Philippine Liberation Medal. 

5. Russell Johnson - Gilligan's Island

Before using his resourcefulness to create gadgets for the castaways as The Professor on Gilligan's Island, Russell Johnson earned a Purple Heart Award for his time served in World War II. During his service, "Johnson flew 44 combat missions as a bombardier," according to Parade. He was no stranger to combat in the skies, as his plane was shot down in 1945, resulting in broken ankles and a discharge with a Purple Heart Award. His highly-decorated Military career included the Air Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon and the World War II Victory Medal. He was discharged with a First Lieutenant rank.


Image Credit: The Everett Collection

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43 Comments

eddiecantorfan 19 months ago
https://youtu.be/Sz7gr4hSkNQ
Every man should have a girlfriend like Mary Ann Summers Dawn Wells.
The 🍯 Honeybees singing
You Need Us!!
Lou Ann Poovie (Elizabeth MacRae) and Mary Ann Summers Dawn Wells are
the type of girls that any
man would be proud to
Introduce to their mom.
eddiecantorfan 19 months ago
https://youtu.be/Q8jhb5NnADM
The Ballad of Gilligan's Island sung by The Wellingtons who played
The Mosquitoes on GI.
eddiecantorfan 19 months ago
Sherwood Schwartz picked the
Right Actor when he cast
Russell Johnson as Professor
Roy Hinkley on Gilligan's Island.
John Gabriel played the Professor on the pilot episode of Gilligan's Island which
Superstation TBS previously
Channel 17 WTBS in Atlanta.
RIP
Gilligan's Island
Bob Denver
Alan Hale Jr
Jim Backus
Natalie Schafer
Russell Johnson
Dawn Wells
Gingers Island .
hyppymom 19 months ago
Thanks to all those men and so many more we are free today. Thank you !
My granddad served in WWII, step-dad in Korea, my brother in Kuwait, cousins, uncles and friends have served.
They are my heroes.
bsantaniello 19 months ago
Wow this was very interesting.
JeffPaul76 19 months ago
Well, That's very nice that they all got Purple Heart Medals, some got two of them. What MeTV didn't tell you, is that Rod Serling was originally From Binghamton, NY, and went to & graduated from, as it was called then, Binghamton Central High School, now just Binghamton High School.
wanderer2575 JeffPaul76 19 months ago
Serling set several of his war stories (such as the Twilight Zone episodes "The Purple Testament" and "A Quality of Mercy") in the Philippines during World War II because that's where and when he served in real life.
Dave62 19 months ago
Guys thank you for your service
Michael 20 months ago
It's interesting reading wikipedia entries for WWII movies, and often it's mentioned which actors had been in WWII.

I found my grandfather's cousins on a memorial to Metis veterans last year. Since my grandfather, his brothers, and another set of cousins all went over during WWI, they too can fit on the memorial. My grandfather was the first born in Canada
JeffPaul76 Michael 19 months ago
What is Metis? I think you misspelled a word. I don't know which one though.
WinterNoir JeffPaul76 19 months ago
From wiki

The Métis (/meɪˈtiː(s)/; French: [metis]) refers to a group of Indigenous peoples who inhabit Canada's three Prairie Provinces, as well as parts of Quebec, Maritime provinces, Ontario, British Columbia, the Northwest Territories and the Northern United States.[1][2][3] They have a shared history and culture and are of mixed European (primarily French) and Indigenous ancestry which became a distinct group through ethnogenesis by the mid-18th century,[4] during the fur trade era.[5]
CaptainDunsel 20 months ago
While he was a guest star rather than a regular on many MeTV series (Bonanza, Twilight Zone, Gunsmoke, Wagon Train, Rawhide) Neville Brand deserves a mention as a highly decorate veteran of WWII.
Aside from a Purple Heart, his decorations included the Silver Star for gallantry in combat, the Good Conduct Medal, the American Defense Service Ribbon, the European/African/Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with three Battle Stars, one Overseas Service Bar, one Service Stripe, and the Combat Infantryman's Badge.
daDoctah 20 months ago
I assume James Doohan of Star Trek isn't included because he was Canadian, but he lost a finger in the assault on Juno Beach on D-Day.
LoveMETV22 daDoctah 20 months ago
I think the Canadian equivalent is a Sacrifice Medal.
JeffPaul76 daDoctah 19 months ago
William Shatner is also Canadian.
WinterNoir JeffPaul76 19 months ago
Yes but he never served in tge military.
Sway 20 months ago
Brave men. Thankful for their service, and all veterans. Glad they were able to make successful careers for themselves after serving our country.
Robertp 20 months ago
What happened to us? Theirs was a great generation. We have lost our soul. It greatly saddens me to watch Modern TV. Are there no more hero’s? Our nation needs God back!
harlow1313 Robertp 20 months ago
>"Our nation needs God back!"< I support the separation of church and state.
MichaelSkaggs harlow1313 20 months ago
Which part of the Constitution is that in?
NorthRidge Robertp 20 months ago
Yes, we need more heroes for sure.
harlow1313 MichaelSkaggs 19 months ago
It is codified in the first amendment. I am grateful not to live in a theocracy.
WinterNoir Robertp 19 months ago
And their parents and grandparents thought they were a bunch of slackers just like every older generation thinks of the younger.

O tempora, o mores!
BrittReid 20 months ago
Great article and thanks to ALL of our brave Vets.
justjeff 20 months ago
This is an article worthy of applause for the MeTV staff... Thanks to all of those Purple Heart recipients
who served, as well as the thousands of others not as famous who also served...🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Mike 20 months ago
Gunsmoke fans may remember that James Arness sometimes waked with a slight limp; it was most noticeable when he was tired.
That was from the war; Arness wound up with one leg a few inches shorter than other.
Arness developed a way of walking that covered it up most of the time.
Jim Arness downplayed his war service, for the most part; he was known to joke about his walk sometimes, to put people at ease.
Runeshaper 20 months ago
God Bless all of these brave men and all who were wounded and/or who gave their lives for their country.
harlow1313 20 months ago
Well, had I been drafted, I expect I would have received a Purple Heart, though it likely would have been from an accidental self-inflicted wound. Sigh. They probably would have allowed me just the one bullet, requiring I keep it in my pocket.
BrittReid harlow1313 20 months ago
You would not be issued a Purple Heart for a self inflicted gunshot wound. The one round in your pocket would be taken, and you would be given six rounds and a blindfold.
JeffPaul76 harlow1313 19 months ago
Hello Barney Fife! Ha-Ha!
WinterNoir BrittReid 19 months ago
Missed the joke did we?
BrittReid WinterNoir 19 months ago
What Joke?
texasluva BrittReid 19 months ago
That he is an accident waiting to happen. Stumbles over his own two left feet. So that he does not accidently injure himself. Bumblestiltskin they called him. It was a joke. Plus he's harlow1313 and well known Jokester in these here parts.
texasluva texasluva 19 months ago
Plus who would Draft him? The Salvation Army 🙄------
LoveMETV22 20 months ago
Thank You MeTV for acknowledging those MeTV actors who received The Purple Heart Award. 💜💜
Acknowledgement and appreciation to all (not just actors) for their service and sacrifices for our country.
Deleted 20 months ago
This comment has been removed.
eddiecantorfan 20 months ago
I am proud of Russell Johnson Rod SERLING
Dan Blocker James Garner and James Arness for their military service to the United States and I am happy that they received
The Purple Heart!!
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