So what long and glorious military service can we glean from your DD-214?
You got one, right?
I have two. Yes, it is possible. Before you pass along any more disinformation:
America's entry into World War II resulted in a deluge of support for the war effort from all sectors of society, and Hollywood was no exception. Wayne was exempted from service due to his age (34 at the time of Pearl Harbor) and family status, classified as 3-A (family deferment). He repeatedly wrote to John Ford, asking to be placed in Ford's military unit, but consistently postponed it until "after he finished one more film",[27] Wayne did not attempt to prevent his reclassification as 1-A (draft eligible), but Republic Studios was emphatically resistant to losing him; Herbert J. Yates, President of Republic, threatened Wayne with a lawsuit if he walked away from his contract[28] and Republic Pictures intervened in the Selective Service process, requesting Wayne's further deferment.[29]
Wayne toured U.S. bases and hospitals in the South Pacific for three months in 1943 and 1944.[30] By many accounts, Wayne's failure to serve in the military was the most painful experience of his life.[31] His widow later suggested that his patriotism in later decades sprang from guilt, writing: "He would become a 'superpatriot' for the rest of his life trying to atone for staying home."[32]
So, what we have here is a 3-A draft deferred individual trying to join Ford's Unit. We have his draft status reclassified to 1-A, but strings were pulled behind his back by Republic and threatening lawfare at the same time. Yeah, Waynes' fault.
Wayne was, by his own admission, a Socialist in college. He grew out of it, unlike some people.
Wayne applied for the Naval Academy in the 20's and was turned down.
Push the button, Max
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