Help wanted - Glenn Ford's elusive WWII record

**Pindar** · 11-14-2006, 06:29

Originally Posted by Adrian II

All I ever heard was that they each sold separately.

That's more of the lie by the 'man' to keep you down.

Anyway, I am still working on becoming a good American. I never omit reading all labels carefully, I don't play around electric wires and never get into anything that could close up and trap me.

There may be a pop quiz on Friday. Be prepared.

**Redleg** · 11-16-2006, 04:16

Have you tried contacting the Navy to see if you can get his record of enlistment under the FOIA?

**Adrian II** · 11-16-2006, 11:29

Originally Posted by Redleg

Have you tried contacting the Navy to see if you can get his record of enlistment under the FOIA?

The two authors I mentioned had access to the records, so I did not pursue that any further. Besides, both the Simon Wiesenthal Center and the French Chancellerie deny having presented any award to Glenn Ford. That pretty much nails it.

**Redleg** · 11-16-2006, 17:35

Originally Posted by Adrian II

The two authors I mentioned had access to the records, so I did not pursue that any further. Besides, both the Simon Wiesenthal Center and the French Chancellerie deny having presented any award to Glenn Ford. That pretty much nails it.

I would have to agree, if someone has reviewed the Navy's records it pretty much nails it down for you, only getting the information for yourself will confirm the information they gave. But what you stated here is close to what I sort of knew.

In his answer, Baron warned me that there are a lot of uncorroborated war stories about Glenn Ford, but that the actor himself never left United States territory during that entire war. I also consulted retired Navy Capt. James E. Wise Jr of the Naval Historical Center, who is the author of Stars in Blue: Movie Actors in America's Sea Services (1997) and Stars in the Corps: Movie Actors in the United States Marines (1999). According to Wise, too, Glenn Ford never left the U.S. during the war. He served at San Diego and at Quantico, Va., as a photographic specialist. In California in 1944, he staged and broadcast the radio program “Halls of Montezuma” after which he was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps in December 1944.

Like many of the hollywood legends during WW2 I knew he enlisted, but not where or how he served.

**Adrian II** · 11-16-2006, 19:26

Originally Posted by Redleg

Like many of the hollywood legends during WW2 I knew he enlisted, but not where or how he served.

There is confirmation from Glenn's son Peter Ford, who is busy writing a biography about his father. Peter is a conservative radio talkshow host and he's understandably proud of his Dad's 'true blue' profile, but even he concedes that the rumours I quoted are just that. He doesn't do much to dispel them, but as far as I can tell he doesn't feed them either. I will ask him how the rumours started, but I am afraid he won't be that interested in discussing it with a Dutch hack, even though the hack is a Glenn fan.

Could you (or anyone) help me with the original question?

Are there other Hollywood stars that are (or were) the subject of such extensive rumours and myths about their past?

**Redleg** · 11-16-2006, 19:56

Originally Posted by Adrian II

There is confirmation from Glenn's son Peter Ford, who is busy writing a biography about his father. Peter is a conservative radio talkshow host and he's understandably proud of his Dad's 'true blue' profile, but even he concedes that the rumours I quoted are just that. He doesn't do much to dispel them, but as far as I can tell he doesn't feed them either. I will ask him how the rumours started, but I am afraid he won't be that interested in discussing it with a Dutch hack, even though the hack is a Glenn fan.

Could you (or anyone) help me with the original question?

Are there other Hollywood stars that are (or were) the subject of such extensive rumours and myths about their past?

Here is a sight that listed several - it might help. I have not checked all the information on it - it seems highly skewed to me, especially since it also credits Glenn for combat. About the best I can do for you

http://militarysalute.proboards45.co...ead=1118610079

**Adrian II** · 11-17-2006, 18:37

Originally Posted by Redleg

http://militarysalute.proboards45.co...ead=1118610079

Thanks, Brother Redleg. I have found a number of such lists, none of them exhaustive or faultless. This one has most of the "classics", but as it says at the top, it is only partial. Though I have to say David Niven and Ernest Borgnine are really serious omissions.
Another list could be made of Hollywood actors who enlisted and fought first, and only later made a Hollywood career. Lee Marvin being a case in point. They didn't interrupt (potentially) lucrative careers, but they sure risked their lives for the cause.

However, all I need right now, Ford-wise, is comparative material. I need stuff on other Hollywood actors and their larger-than-life legends. I want to know how such legends begin and what sustains them.