A Straight Dope Classic from Cecil's Storehouse of Human Knowledge
Did John Wayne ever serve in the military?
March 9, 1973
Dear Cecil:
Did John Wayne ever serve in the military?
Cecil replies:
The closest Wayne ever came to military action was a three-month entertainment tour of Pacific bases that he went on in 1944. His childhood dream — to become a naval officer — was never realized, although he did come close to receiving an appointment to Annapolis. Later, during World War II, he was rejected for military service. He was never a cowboy, either.
(For an update of this column, click here.)
