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| Above, John Wayne with the troops in Viet Nam. |
There have been many detractors questioning John Wayne's exemption from military service during World War II.
The official John Wayne Facebook page has posted the following to set the record straight:
Though many questioned John Wayne’s exemption from military service during World War II, the decision was not entirely his fault. Duke was classified as 3-A (family deferment) due to his age (34) and family status at the time of Pearl Harbor. Despite this, he repeatedly wrote to John Ford, asking to be placed in Ford's military unit, but Ford continually postponed it until after one more film.
Wayne did not try to prevent his reclassification to 1-A (draft eligible), but Republic Pictures, where he was under contract, fought hard to keep him. President Herbert J. Yates even threatened Duke with a lawsuit if he left, and Republic intervened with the Selective Service to request his deferment.
During the war, John Wayne dedicated his time to supporting the troops, serving Thanksgiving dinners at the Hollywood Canteen, touring with the USO in the South Pacific, and portraying the American soldier with dignity and courage. After Christmas 1942, he began a three-month USO tour across Australia, New Britain, and New Guinea.
Decades later, Duke continued to visit troops on the frontlines, including in Vietnam, where he spent time with soldiers in the trenches. It was a way for him to engage with everyday soldiers on a personal level, offering morale and support during an active conflict.
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