A few days ago I was thinking about actors and celebraties who interupted their career to fight for our country or the allies. (Either drafted or volunteered) Feel free to add to the list. I know I have omitted some.

The Gulf War and/or current conflict:
???

World War II:
(Just a partial list of over 75 guys)
Clark Gable
Jimmy Stewart
Jack Lemmon
Mickael Cain
Kirk Douglas
Mel brooks
Richard Burton
Henry Fonda
Tyrone Power
Steve McQueen
Sean Connery
William Holden
Don Knotts
Elvis Presley
Burt Lancaster
Jack Palance
Mickey Rooney
Jason Robards
David Niven

This says a great deal to me. Doesn't matter how unpopular the war is today. I wonder how many of todays actors would step up if this was a popular war. Not many I'm sure. Though I would love to see Tom Cruise and 'Ross, the Intern' fighting on the front line together.

There are some important differences between WWII and the Gulf Wars. During WWII there was the draft, and every able-bodied man was expected to serve. In WWII there were also clear nation-state enemies as targets. Al Qaeda and the Iraqi insurgents are hard to identify and don't hold territories in the traditional sense.

One more thing, Tom Cruise is getting a bit long in the tooth for GI material. During the draft years a man was pretty well out of the woods by the age of 36. I think Cruise is in his mid-40's.

(I don't know who Ross, the Intern is.)

Yes, there was a draft during WWII, however many actors volunteered. Tony Curtis was to young for the draft, he volunteered. James Stewart, Clark Gable, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., (just to name a few), were to old for the draft, but they volunteered anyway. Now a famous case of a draftee was Elvis Presley. The service jobs these actors had ranged from state-side desk jobs to seeing active combat.
And like WWII, the Gulf War did have a clear nation-state enemy/target, Iraq.
Now my comment about Tom Cruise and 'Ross, the intern', was a joke. Although I would like to see those guys from 'Queer Eye..' parachute into the Middle East. Talk about scaring the crap out of the enemy.

MMMMMMmmmmmmm. Tyrone Power in the Marines. And vice versa. Where were those cameramen when we needed 'em!!!???!!!
SFDutch

Tyrone Power, Marine

Power Marine Photo

ROTFLMAO ... so good, SFD. Thanks!

Ah, Fantomas, thx for the Power pic links.
Here's another of the Gorgeous Lt.
themave.com/bijou/40wy/galry/tpowergalry.htm

Sorry Baxion, your list is very... incomplete. A couple of the actors you listed spent WWII doing civilian desk jobs, a couple spent the war years making war movies, and others...

Well first of all Elvis wasn't born until 1935, which would make him 10 or 11 at the end of the war.

Elvis was not drafted until 1957, and then did everything he could to get out of it, including applying for several deferals because he thought that time in the Army away from his fans would hurt his career. In March 1958, Presley finally joined his unit, 1st Battalion, US 32nd Armored Regiment (1/32), and was posted to Ray Barracks, Friedberg, Germany. Presley returned to the United States on March 2, 1960, and was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant (E-5) on March 5.

WWII was officially over in 1947: The Japanese surrendered on August 14, 1945, or V-J day, signing the Japanese Instrument of Surrender on September 2. The Japanese troops in China formally surrendered to the Chinese on September 9, 1945. The Korean War ended with a cease-fire on July 27, 1953. The American phase of the Vietnam War did not occur until much later.

Elvis did not serve in time of war.

R

Can't think of any celebrities who rushed to serve or we called up from reserve units to serve in Gulf War, Iraq or Afghanistan.....although I guess the late Pat Tillman who was killed by friendly fire in Afghanistan might qualify.

Dearest SFD,

Just what is it with you and the older 'Daddy' types?

Enquiring minds... Well no, actually - I am not really sure I want to know...

R

Many people believe that Reagan was a big world war 2 hero. He was busy making B movies and public service announcements during the conflict.