why did john wayne not join the forces?

Answer 1

I looked it up and there was a whole controversy about this. After all his age and family status were no different from that of Clark Gable and Ronald Reagan who both enlisted.

Thanks for asking the question because now I know something new!

I was also unaware of his being so supportive of blacklisting.

Answer 2

John Wayne, like some other movie stars was simply not allowed to join the forces. Their role was to make movies which would help boost public morale as the war got under way.

Humphrey Bogart did not join the US forces for the same reason and the fact that he had been in the US Navy in the 1930s before WW2. Anyway, without Bogey doing movies, we would not now have "Casablanca", at least, not the same anyway. The best line in Casablanca is Claude Reins telling a minion to "round up the usual suspects". That must be the source of the original saying.

David Niven, a very well established Hollywood movie star of the period, came back to UK at the outbreak of war to rejoin his regiment in Scotland. He eventually became colonel of his own regiment.

The problem for some Hollywood movie stars is that they were not all American citizens.

Answer 3

Too old (34), with a family, he was given a 3A status - and so was not drafted due to family responsibilities. After he split from his wife that was changed to make him eligible, a 1A, but he got his lawyers to convince the Draft Board he should be a 2A - deferred for reasons of National Interest.
The question should of course be asked why this 'super-patriot' never volunteered for service?
I suppose cowardice might be a reason, and this along with his later support for McCarthyism, along with comments on the treatment of Native Americans, and the educational abilities of Afro-Americans are all pretty stomach turning.
I loved watching him on screen, and i think movies like The Searchers and The Quiet Man changed my life for the better, but i suppose not all heroes stand up to close examination, and even a cursory glance at John Wayne tells you what a 'patriot' is really made of - bluster and prejudices - hiding behind the men and women who faced their fears and did it anyway.

Answer 4

Sands of Iwo Jima came out in the late 1940s. Maybe 1949. I am not sure why he didnt serve when other actors had. Having kids may have been a big part or just that he wanted his career to get a boost then.

Now if he had left the country during the war to avoid service, then that would be different especially since he made alot of war movies.

Answer 5

There are many rumours but what I have read up is he asked to be deferred as he was a father of four and he also worried that going to war would end his career in Hollywood.

Answer 6

While John Wayne portrayed many military roles, it is likely that the Duke was not interested in joining. Lucky for us, he remained on the silver screen, where his talents could be appreciated by folks like me. John did his part in honoring our guys who served, by portraying them. Think about this, had he served, we may have never known who he was. I'm just glad I got to grow up watching him, as did many others during the wars. May he rest in peace.

Answer 7

He served a better purpose in hollywood portraying military characters i don't want it to go as far as propoganda films. but as entertaining as they were they were also used to boost enlistment. I mean "sands of iwo jima" came out in 1943 the war was not even close to being finished.

Answer 8

Because he was a hero in the movies. Why risk that unnecessarily!
(Ret. Sgt. War movies do NOT a hero make!)

Answer 9

Wayne was already 34 and the father of four when WWII started.

Answer 10

He was not passed fit, by the induction medicos, due to a football (American) injury to one of his knees sustained whilst at school/college.