Lee Marvin, the Movie Tough Guy

[sfc_darrel]

Some people have been a bit offended that Lee Marvin is buried in a grave alongside 3 and 4 star generals at Arlington National Cemetery.

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 is the 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."

"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 and said, '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

Yes, I know the story is old but some things just need to be repeated.

[usmcsgt65]

Lee first saw action at Tarawa. He was a scout/sniper then. His platoon after securing Tarawa had to assult the other islands in the atoll. Side note, Lee did not become an actor until after the war.

[Keith_Hixson]

You never know who the heros will be until you are in Battle. Great story.

I've always thought the SGT York story also shows that even an average everyday American can become a hero.

Keith

[THECOLONEL]

UNFORTUNATELY, THIS STORY HAS MADE THE CIRCUIT FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS AND KEEPS CROPPING UP TIME AND AGAIN THROUGHOUT THE INTERNET.

THIS ACCOUNT OF VALOR BY LEE MARVIN IS TOTALLY BOGUS.

MARVIN WAS WOUNDED IN THE BACKSIDE WHILE AT SAIPAN, NEVER TO APPEAR IN WORLD WAR II AFTER THAT POINT.

THE ONE AND ONLY DECORATION HE WAS AWARDED WAS THE PURPLE HEART.

KEESHAN SERVED IN THE USMC BUT NOT IN COMBAT.

TO SEE TWO OF THE WEB SITES WHICH REFUTE THIS FICTION, PLEASE VIEW,

-- www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/keeshan.htm --

and

-- www.snopes.com/military/keeshan.htm ---

[Wazza]

I thought it was James Garner who was shot in the butt and was awarded the Purple Heart?

[THECOLONEL]

YES, HE WAS WOUNDED AND DID RECEIVE AN AWARD OF THE PURPLE HEART, IN THE KOREAN WAR, WHICH WAS IN ACTUAL FACT FOR A LOWER BACK WOUND.

FROM TIME TO TIME, IN INTERVIEWS, HE HAS DRAWN ATTENTION TO THIS AS HE TOOK A REAL BEATING IN THE PRODUCTION OF THE " ROCKFORD FILES " WHERE HE DID MANY OF HIS OWN STUNTS, THUS CAUSING HIM SEVERE PAIN AT TIMES.