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John Wayne

Updated Feb 11, 2024
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John Wayne
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John Wayne
John Wayne was born Marion Robert Morrison in Iowa, to Mary Alberta (Brown) and Clyde Leonard Morrison (1884 - 1937), a pharmacist, and Mary "Molly" Alberta Brown (1885 - 1970). He was of English, Ulster-Scots, and Irish ancestry and had one brother, Robert. Clyde developed a lung condition that required him to move his family from Iowa to the warmer climate of Southern California, where they tried ranching in the Mojave Desert. The family later moved to Glendale, California where "John" attended Glendale Union High School. After graduating from Glendale, John attended the University of Southern California on a football scholarship. Unfortunately, he broke his collarbone in a surfing accident while attending USC and lost his scholarship. That's when he turned to modeling and was soon picked up as an actor. How John Wayne saved the United States Marine Corps: After WWII concluded, the massive demobilization of servicemen to slash military spending began. Many supported an effort to completely abolish the Marine Corps. This effort was supported by the Doolittle Board, created by the Truman Administration, and headed by none other than Army General Jimmy Doolittle himself, which called for the Marine Corps to be disbanded as a separate military outfit and unified with Army units. This didn’t go over well with Marines who had sacrificed so much to the war effort and distinguished themselves for valor and bravery against all odds over and over again in those brutal years. Marines with Hollywood connections thought a movie built around the famous Joe Rosenthal photo of the Mount Suribachi flag raising at Iwo Jima could help sway public opinion. The movie was to be called “The Sands of Iwo Jima” and everyone agreed the only Hollywood star fit to play the hero Sgt. Stryker was John Wayne. John Wayne read the script, didn’t like the hero or the script and turned it down. The Marines had Marine Corps Commandant, General Clifton B. Cates board a flight from Washington to California to personally explain to John Wayne what was at stake – the very existence of the United States Marine Corps. Wayne immediately changed his mind and promised to make the movie a success. The Sands of Iwo Jima was released in 1949 and immediately became a blockbuster. Wayne was nominated for a Best Actor Oscar which quickly established him as a Number One box-office star. No politician on Capitol Hill has ever again suggested we should disband the Marine Corps. There are John Wayne critics who point out that he did not serve his country by putting himself in harm’s way.. When war broke out, Wayne tried to enlist but was rejected because of old football injuries and a bad back from years of doing his own stunts, his age (34), and his family status (father, 4 children). So he flew out to Washington to plead that he be allowed to join the Navy. No go. So he poured his heart and soul into the war effort by making inspirational war films, helping to get public support and resources for our military. He may not have seen actual combat like so many, but single handedly saving the United States Marine Corps was an accomplishment no one but John Wayne could have pulled off.
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Amanda S. Stevenson
For fifty years I have been a Document Examiner and that is how I earn my living. For over 50 years I have also been a publicist for actors, singers, writers, composers, artists, comedians, and many progressive non-profit organizations. I am a Librettist-Composer of a Broadway musical called, "Nellie Bly" and I am in the process of making small changes to it. In addition, I have written over 100 songs that would be considered "popular music" in the genre of THE AMERICAN SONGBOOK.
My family consists of four branches. The Norwegians and The Italians and the Norwegian-Americans and the Italian Americans.
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