Here’s Why John Wayne Never Served In WWII
John Wayne was once seen as the quintessential all-American male. That’s thanks to the rugged, macho persona that the cultural icon adopted both on and off screen. Yes, Wayne made his name playing the heroes in Westerns and war movies alike. But even in Wayne’s heyday, one question loomed large: why didn’t the actor serve in World War II? And the answer may come as a surprise.
Stigma against draft dodgers
It’s all the more shocking considering that Wayne’s lack of military service could have had a real effect on his career. In the 1940s, you see, men who were deemed “draft dodgers” could expect their peers to look down on them. And Wayne was actually surrounded by people who had enlisted and done their part for the war effort – Clark Gable, Henry Fonda and Jimmy Stewart among them. But was the actor really a draft dodger?
A man of many questions
Perhaps he did want to serve but was unable to? Or maybe he enjoyed the Hollywood lifestyle so much that leaving it for the military was virtually unthinkable? Maybe it was some combination of all of these things? As with many things surrounding Wayne, the real reason for him not serving is somewhat controversial.
Public persona
It could even be argued that Wayne’s public persona was itself carefully constructed. As fans know, the actor didn’t grow up with the name under which he became famous. Instead, he was originally known as Marion Mitchell Morrison. The nickname “Duke” was given to him after a childhood dog.
War hero ancestor
And young Marion was named after his grandfather, who, interestingly, was a veteran of the American Civil War. This first Marion Mitchell Morrison signed up for the Union Army when he was still a teenager. He later sustained several injuries in combat, apparently only surviving the 1863 Battle of Pine Bluff by playing dead.
