You may never been a fan of Eddie Albert, with or without Zsa Zsa Gabor, he always came across to as an unsympathetic character. But a few years ago I read that he had been a young lieutenant at Normandy, and received a medal for heroism there, a Silver Star I believe, for saving the lives of several men. So he became one of my favorites.
And now I believe all 4 of them are gone - 4 fewer of America's "greatest generation."
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> You Would Never Have Guessed
>
> Captain Kangaroo passed away on January 23, 2004 as age 76 , which
> is odd, because he always looked to be 76. (DOB: 6/27/27 ) His
> death reminded me of the following story.
>
> Some people have been a bit offended that the actor, 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 didn't 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 Naval 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, "Le e, I'l l 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 bottom 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 getting' 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. That dumb guy
> actually stood up on Red beach and directed his troops to move
> forward and get the hell off the beach. Bullets flying by, with
> mortar rounds landing everywhere and he stood there as the main
> target of gunfire so that he could get his men to safety. He did th
> is on more than one occasion because his men's safety was more
> important than his own life
>
>
> 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.
> The Sergeant's name is Bob Keeshan. You and the world know him as
> Captain Kangaroo."
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On another note, there was this wimpy little man (who just passed
> away) on PBS, gentle and quiet. Mr. Rogers is another of those you
> would least suspect of being anything but what he now portrays to
> our youth. But Mr. Rogers was a U.S. Navy Seal, combat-proven in
> Vietnam with over twenty-five confirmed kills to his name. He
> wore a long-sleeved sweater on TV, to cover the many tattoos on his
> forearm and biceps. He was a master in small arms and hand-to-
> hand combat, able to disarm or kill in a heartbeat
>
>
>
>
>
>
> After the war Mr. Rogers became an ordained Presbyterian minister
> and therefore a pacifist. Vowing to never harm another human and
> also dedicating the rest of his life to trying to help lead
> children on the right path in life. He hid away the tattoos and his
> past life and won our hearts with his quiet wit and charm.
>
>
>
> America's real heroes don't flaunt what they did; they quietly go
> about their day-to-day lives, doing what they do best They earned
> our respect and the freedoms that we all enjoy.
> Look around and see if you can find o! ne of t hose heroes in your
> midst.
> Often, th ey are the ones you'd least suspect, but would most like
> to have on your side if anything ever happened
>
>
>
> Take the time to thank anyone that has fought for our freedom.
> With encouragement they could be the next Captain Kangaroo or
> Mr.Rogers
>
>
>
>
> Send this on, will you please? Nothing will happens to you if you
> don't, but you will be telling others what a HERO is made of.
>
>
>
>
>
> Brad Snipes
>
> ARMAMENT SECTION
;)
;)
