J.R.R. Tolkien was an English poet and writer, best known for his fantastical works, “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings.” Tolkien is a war veteran and served with the British Expeditionary Force during World War I as Second Lieutenant in the 11th Battalion. He saw many bloody battles, including the Battle of Somme. Ultimately his poor health would end his war days. Tolkien was sent home after he contracted a chronic fever from lice that infested him.
Buster Keaton
One of Hollywood’s elite comedians, Buster Keaton was well known for his silent films. His famous trademark at the time was physical comedy. He was nicknamed “The Great StoneFace,” because of his consistent deadpan expression through all his films, regardless of their themes.
In 1917, actively participating in vaudeville, Buster Keaton was drafted into the 40th Infantry Division. Not to be deterred from his practice while he was serving his time, he still managed to perform a bunch of vaudeville acts like the “Snake Dance,” where he charms a rope of sausages before a large crowd of fellow servicemen.
Gene Kelly
If you are looking for Hollywood’s “whole package”, then Gene Kelly is your guy. Actor, director, writer, and funny man, he was best known for The Dick Van Dyke Show; a program he wrote, produced, and acted in as well.
Kelly was drafted into the US Army air force in 1942, where he unintentionally rose to a position of corporal. The Dick Van Dyke Show was only one of his many accomplishments at the time, but what a legend he has become in the entertainment business.
Kris Kristofferson
We certainly did not expect this Hollywood legend to have an impressive military career to his name. Kris Kristofferson is a well known musician and actor, not a fighting man. During his time in the military, he identified himself as a “Brat” because he traveled a lot with his dad who frequently kept getting flown to different parts of the United States for work.
Kris was pressured into joining the army and marrying his high school girlfriend when he was a young man. In 1960, Kris enlisted in the military, in accordance with his family’s wishes, and became a helicopter pilot after he successfully completed Ranger School. When he ultimately decided to leave the service, his family sadly resented his decision and disowned him for it.
Kurt Vonnegut
Colin Powell once said that the greatest advocates for peace are those who know most about war. This is a phrase that comes to our minds when it comes to the name of Kurt Vonnegut, author of Slaughterhouse Five.
Vonnegut served in the army during World War II as an infantry battalion scout. He was reportedly taken in as a prisoner of war, and was lucky to survive the firebombing of Dresden, Germany in a blanket mission by the Allied Forces. If you haven’t yet ventured into the bizarre universe that is Slaughterhouse 5, we definitely recommend it.