Hollywood Went to War

Forty sixth in our series Hollywood Went to War, Soupy Sales, Telly Savalas and "Cooler King" Steve McQueen

Supman enlisted in the United States Navy and served on the USS Randall (APA-224) in the South Pacific during the latter part of World War II.

Savalas served three years (1943–1946) in the United States Army during World War II

In 1947, McQueen joined the United States Marine Corps and was promoted to private first class and assigned to an armored unit. At first, he reverted to his prior rebelliousness, and was demoted to private seven times. He took an unauthorized absence by failing to return after a weekend pass expired, staying with a girlfriend for two weeks until the shore patrol caught him. He resisted arrest and spent 41 days in the brig. After this, McQueen resolved to focus his energies on self-improvement and embraced the Marines' discipline. He saved the lives of five other Marines during an Arctic exercise, pulling them from a tank before it broke through ice into the sea. He was assigned to the honor guard, responsible for guarding then US President Harry Truman's yacht. McQueen served until 1950, when he was honorably discharged. He later said he had enjoyed his time in the Marines

Gentlemen, we salute you and thank you for your service to our country. Rest in peace.