The Purple Heart is a special medal awarded to courageous soldiers who are injured or lose their lives while serving in the U.S. military. General George Washington established this medal on August 7, 1782. The Purple Heart is a tribute to members of the U.S. Armed Forces, and even civilians under U.S. military control, who suffer injuries, are killed, or pass away from wounds incurred in combat, acts of terrorism, or during captivity as Prisoners of War. Here’s a list of some actors and directors who have received the Purple Heart.
JAMES ARNESS
Arness
is most famously recognized for his portrayal of Marshal Matt Dillon on
the iconic television series Gunsmoke. In addition to that role, he
appeared in over 30 films, with a standout performance as The Thing in
'The Thing from Another World' (1951). But before he stepped into the
acting world, he served as a rifleman in the Army. His military career
was cut short due to an injury he sustained in 1944 during the Battle of
Anzio in Italy. A machine gun wound to his knee and lower leg put him
in a military hospital in Iowa for 18 months of recovery. For his
bravery in combat, he received the Purple Heart.
LEX BARKER
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NEVILLE BRAND
But before he stepped into the spotlight, Brand's journey began far from Hollywood. He enlisted in the U.S. Army during World War II, joining up in March 1941. He bravely fought with the 331st Infantry Regiment through some of the most brutal battles in the Ardennes and Rhineland. Rising to the rank of Sergeant, he led a platoon but faced a harrowing injury on April 7, 1945, when he was shot in the arm near the Weser River. The wound was critical, and he came dangerously close to losing his life from blood loss. For his courage and sacrifice, he was awarded a Purple Heart along with other honors. There were whispers that he was the fourth-most decorated soldier of the war, but Brand himself humbly disagreed with that assessment.
CHARLES BRONSON
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Bronson made a name for himself with his iconic roles in the "Death Wish" series and his portrayal of tough-guy characters across Westerns and action films. Back in 1943, when he was just in his early 20s, he enlisted in the Army Air Forces. He bravely served as a gunner on a B-29 bomber and flew through 25 combat missions. Sadly, during one of those missions, he was injured and received a Purple Heart for his courage.
ART CARNEY
Carney is widely recognized for his role as Ed Norton in the beloved sitcom "The Honeymooners." He also appeared in films like "Harry & Tonto" (1974) and "The Late Show" (1977). During World War II, Carney served in the United States Army, having been drafted in 1943. He fought bravely as an infantryman in the Battle of Normandy, where he sustained a leg injury from shrapnel. This injury left him with a limp for the rest of his life, resulting in one leg being shorter than the other. For his service, Carney was awarded four Medals of Honor, including the Purple Heart.
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JOHN FORD
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The legendary director, who won four Academy Awards, is famous for classics such as "The Informer" (1935), "The Grapes of Wrath" (1940), "How Green Was My Valley" (1941), and "The Quiet Man" (1952). He’s also well-known for his iconic Westerns featuring John Wayne.
During World War II, Ford had a remarkable service record in the U.S. Navy. He rose to the rank of Captain in the Naval Reserve after being commissioned as an officer. Ford took on several important roles, including heading the photographic unit for the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) and creating documentary films for the Navy Department. His bravery earned him a Purple Heart for injuries he sustained during the Battle of Midway.
Among his wartime achievements are directing the documentary "The Battle of Midway" (1942), directing "They Were Expendable" (1945), which showcases the Navy's PT boat operations.
SAMUEL FULLER
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For his courage and sacrifices during the war, he was awarded the Purple Heart. His time as a soldier in World War II had a profound impact on his film-making.
JAMES GARNER
Garner appeared in over 50 films and TV shows spanning five decades. He’s fondly remembered by fans for his standout roles in the Western series "Maverick" and the detective drama "The Rockford Files." Some of his cherished films include classics like "The Great Escape" (1963), "The Americanization of Emily" (1964), "Victor/Victoria" (1982), and "Murphy's Romance" (1985). In fact, his remarkable performance in "Murphy's Romance" even earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.
But he didn’t just shine on the screen; he also showed incredible courage in the Korean War. He was the first draft pick from Oklahoma and received the Purple Heart on two occasions. His first injury came from shrapnel after a mortar round hit him, leaving wounds on his face and hand. The second injury was caused by a friendly fire incident that affected his buttocks. Interestingly, although he was eligible for a second Purple Heart, it took 32 years and a touching interview on Good Morning America for the US Army to officially acknowledge his second injury and present him with the medal.
TIM HOLT
He was a Western actor during the 1940s and early 1950s, appearing in a whopping forty-six B westerns produced by RKO Pictures. Some of his standout films include "The Magnificent Ambersons" (1942), "My Darling Clementine" (1946), and "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre" (1948).
During World War II, Holt served valiantly in the United States Army Air Forces, fighting in the Pacific. On the last day of the war, he was wounded over Tokyo and was awarded a Purple Heart for his bravery. His impressive contributions to both cinema and military service truly make him an extraordinary figure from that time.
LEE MARVIN
Marvin
was well-known for portraying tough characters in westerns and action
films. In 1965, he earned the esteemed Academy Award for Best Actor
thanks to his charming performance in the western comedy "Cat Ballou."
Before stepping into the world of acting, Marvin proudly served as a U.S. Marine during World War II. He was part of the 4th Marine Division and worked as a scout sniper in the Pacific, taking part in significant battles on islands like Kwajalein, Eniwetok, and Saipan. Marvin courageously participated in 21 amphibious assaults on Japanese-held islands. Unfortunately, during the Battle of Saipan on June 18, 1944, he was wounded, along with many of his comrades. He suffered a gunshot wound from machine gun fire that damaged his sciatic nerve and was later hit in the foot by a sniper. His bravery and sacrifice were recognized with several medals, including the Purple Heart.
Murphy earned his first Purple Heart on September 15, 1944, after sustaining injuries from a mortar attack in northeastern France. He got knocked out cold, and his foot needed some stitches. His second Purple Heart came shortly after, on October 26, 1944, while his unit fought through the Montagne Forest near St. Die, France, battling intense German artillery.
His third and final Purple Heart was awarded on January 25, 1945, in the Riedwihr Woods near Holtzwihr, France. A sniper managed to hit him in the hip just as he leaped for cover after his radio operator had been shot. This injury occurred right before he was set to receive the Medal of Honor.
After the war, it was actor James Cagney who brought Murphy to Hollywood in 1945. Murphy's acting career spanned from 1948 to 1969, during which he appeared in over 40 films and even one television series. One of his standout films, "To Hell and Back" (1955), was adapted from his autobiography and shared his gripping experiences during World War II.
TELLY SAVALAS
Savalas is best remembered for his unforgettable portrayal of Kojak in the classic TV series "Kojak," where his famous catchphrase, "Who loves ya, baby?" became a cultural touchstone. He also made his mark in films like "The Dirty Dozen" (1967) and "Kelly's Heroes (1970). In 1962, he earned an Oscar nomination for his powerful role in "Birdman of Alcatraz."
Before stepping into the spotlight, Telly served in the Army starting in 1941, dedicating three years of his life to World War II. He was part of Company C, 12th Medical Training Battalion, stationed at Camp Pickett in Virginia. His courage and commitment during the war earned him a Purple Heart, a testament to his sacrifices.
EFREM ZIMBALIST JR.
He was well-known for his standout performances in hit TV shows like "77 Sunset Strip" and "The F.B.I." He also brought to life the unforgettable character "Dandy Jim Buckley" in "Maverick." Beyond his television work, Zimbalist graced the big screen in films such as "House of Strangers" (1949), "Home Before Dark" (1958), "The Crowded Sky" (1960), and "Wait Until Dark" (1967).
Before diving into acting, Zimbalist served in the U.S. Army during World War II. Drafted in 1941, he dedicated five years to his service and rose to the rank of second lieutenant. He was injured during the Battle of Hürtgen Forest and received a Purple Heart for his bravery.
ROD SERLING
The brilliant mind behind "The Twilight Zone" and the films "Patterns" (1956) and "Requiem for a Heavyweight" (1962), jumped straight into the army right after he graduated from high school. Eager to take on the Nazis, he enlisted the very next day in New York. After completing his training as a paratrooper, he was assigned to the 11th Airborne Division, specifically with the 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment. He went on to serve in the Philippines, where he fought against Japanese forces.
While in combat, Serling encountered real danger and earned the Purple Heart for injuries he sustained from shrapnel in his wrist and knee. These intense experiences during World War II significantly influenced his storytelling and inspired many of the themes found in "The Twilight Zone."
