The DU Lounge

rsdsharp

(11,977 posts)

22. Wayne tried to join the naval academy in 1925,

Reply to Callie1979 (Reply #19)

Sun Mar 15, 2026, 04:26 PM

Sunday

in peacetime, AFTER the “war to end all wars.” He was turned down because of poor grades. When the bullets started to fly he did whatever he could to avoid service. John Ford — who was 13 years older than Wayne, and did serve — never let him forget it.

Classified as too old when World War II began? What was the cutoff date? Apparently somewhere between May 27 and May 31, 1907. Wayne was five days older than my father, who did serve in World War II after being drafted.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

2 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

gopiscrap Dave Bowman

58 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Most efed-up Oscar awards ever? [View all] Floyd R. Turbo Sunday OP

John Wayne was a terrible, terrible actor Orrex Sunday #1

And an asshole to boot! 🤬 Floyd R. Turbo Sunday #2

A bigot! BlueWaveNeverEnd Sunday #36

That too! Floyd R. Turbo Sunday #39

It was his last chance and Rooster Cogburn was iconic. Frasier Balzov Sunday #3

Bridges and the Cohen Brothers version were much closer to the book. I did like it more. And, Wayne did not deserve it! Floyd R. Turbo Sunday #6

It wasn't even his last chance to portray Rooster Cogburn. rsdsharp Sunday #12

We know that now. Frasier Balzov Sunday #17

His lung was removed in 1964. They were so afraid he might die that they waited five years? rsdsharp Sunday #18

Did he do anything Oscar worthy in the interim? Frasier Balzov Sunday #21

I didn't think he did anything Oscar worthy ever. rsdsharp Sunday #23

Deserved it? Iggo 8 hrs ago #56

It's possible most of the actor members of the Academy hated John Wayne's guts. Frasier Balzov 3 hrs ago #57

They should have given Marion Morrison the Oscar for one of his military roles. Aristus Sunday #4

As I said, "An asshole"! Floyd R. Turbo Sunday #7

Wayne wasnt a draft dodger. Thats an old urban legend. Callie1979 Sunday #11

World War II Marines had a different view. From author William Manchester: rsdsharp Sunday #13

A story which itself is questionable. Callie1979 Sunday #15

Oh? Did Manchester make it up? rsdsharp Sunday #16

Are there any Marines who were there to verify the story? Callie1979 Sunday #19

Wayne tried to join the naval academy in 1925, rsdsharp Sunday #22

Many Hollywood stars older than Wayne willingly served in WWII Wiz Imp Sunday #26

Thank you for posting this. Stewart was less than a year younger than Wayne. rsdsharp Sunday #32

Jimmy Stewart stayed in the AF reserves and ultimately achieved... 3catwoman3 12 hrs ago #49

I met a WWll bomber pilot from the squadron with the movie stars. Norrrm 10 hrs ago #53

my English grandfather was 38 when he spent the week on the beaches of Dunkirk Skittles Sunday #34

It's not rumors. It's fact. Just because you refuse to accept it and insist on making Wiz Imp Sunday #24

Not an urban legend at all. He was not "technically" or "legally" a draft dodger Wiz Imp Sunday #14

Ford had letters from Wayne asking him to let him enlist in his unit. Callie1979 Sunday #20

False. There is definite evidence he actively worked to avoid service. Wiz Imp Sunday #27

Proof shows he tried to enter the Naval Academy, enlist in the OSS & join Fords unit Callie1979 Sunday #37

Yes. Still, some of the most recent decades of top movie winners have really incredibly sucked... hlthe2b Sunday #5

Another reason to hate the asshole! Poor horses! 😢 Floyd R. Turbo Sunday #8

Maybe for the Best Actor award Fiendish Thingy Sunday #9

Haven't watched them in years! Floyd R. Turbo Sunday #40

Yip, and Peter 7 noms, no wins. When first offered an Honorary he turned it down saying UTUSN Sunday #10

Peter a class act! Floyd R. Turbo Sunday #41

that dreck Forrest Gump beating Pulp Fiction Skittles Sunday #25

I agree. MIButterfly Sunday #30

Don't get me started! 🤬 Floyd R. Turbo Sunday #42

right?! Skittles Sunday #46

Didn't I say don't get me started? Floyd R. Turbo 20 hrs ago #47

LOL, I couldn't help myself Skittles 13 hrs ago #48

😁 Floyd R. Turbo 9 hrs ago #55

I thought Forrest Gump was one of the dumbest movies ever. 3catwoman3 12 hrs ago #50

I didn't make it past 15 minutes Skittles 11 hrs ago #51

Implausibility is one of the most important aspects of... GReedDiamond 1 hr ago #58

There was a time that his schtick with women was considered funny ms liberty Sunday #28

Asshole! Floyd R. Turbo Sunday #43

Nicolas Cage, Leaving Las Vegas, 1996.. Permanut Sunday #29

Another one that pissed me off! Floyd R. Turbo Sunday #44

'99 "Shakespeare in Love" over "Saving Private Ryan" AND '93 Pacino as Best Actor underpants Sunday #31

"Scent of a Woman" was NOT Al Pacino's best performance by a long shot. MIButterfly Sunday #33

Absolutely. From Michael* to Serpico to Dog Day underpants Sunday #35

I HATED that movie...one of the worst I've seen! Totally Tunsie Sunday #38

Yep! Floyd R. Turbo Sunday #45

'True Shit" as we used to say Klarkashton 11 hrs ago #52

🤗 Floyd R. Turbo 9 hrs ago #54