The Lee Marvin character is a doughboy in WWI and then 24 years later has risin maybe 2 ranks when leading his squad onto the beach in North Africa. Was he a discipline case or something? Was this ever explained in the film?
shareit's very possible that he got out at the end of WW I and re-entered the Army years later giving him a long break in service. any time in grade would have likely started from scratch and promotions to Sergeant would have been within a normal timeframe.
shareMy Grandfather served in the army. and served in WWI and WWII. he was a Corpral in WWI and finally made Sgt. during WWII only because they needed Good Sgt's. However when thewar ended he was busted back down to Corpral simply because he was a discpline case. and at his age (He was 52) they felt he should be mustered out at his proper rank.