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September 03, 2006
Actor Glenn Ford's Passing Away
Let's all remember him this way.....his story.
When Glenn Ford died Thursday morning at the age of 90, major media recalled his long Hollywood career, recalling the 106 films in which he appeared, his many marriages and romances. Wrote the Associated Press, "He was a star to the end of his career."
Glenn Ford was far more than that, yet none of the obituaries bothered to mention his extraordinary patriotism or his distinguished military career. Ford rose to the rank of Captain in the United States Navy after years of dedicated service that began with World War II and continued through the Vietnam War.
He was undoubtedly a star, one of Hollywood's enduring major stars, but as his biography on a Web site devoted to his long life states, his accomplishments were even larger than life off-screen. As his son Peter once told NewsMax.com, Ford was "one of those Ronald Reagan, true-blue American types."
At the beginning of World War II Glenn served in the Coast Guard Auxiliary. In 1942 he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. As a Marine he helped build safe houses in occupied France for those hiding from the Nazis and was among the first Americans to enter the infamous Dachau concentration camp at war’s end. He went on to serve in the Navy and at war's end he was commissioned a Commander in the Naval Reserves.
In the Second World War Ford served with the Marines, and was seconded to the French Resistance. He rarely spoke of his military service; and it was only 30 years later, when he was presented with a Liberator's Award by the Simon Wiesenthal Centre for Holocaust Studies, that it emerged he had been responsible for an act of extraordinary courage and compassion.Immediately after Germany's surrender, Ford had discovered that, while attention was focused on Dachau, some 15,000 intended victims were still alive, but barely, at the nearby camp of Fernwald, outside Munich. Defying orders that rations should not be diverted to displaced persons, Ford persuaded supply-sergeants to turn a blind eye while he loaded his truck with food and medical supplies for the starving survivors. It was a lifeline he kept going for seven weeks. He was credited with single-handedly saving the lives of between 5,000 and 6,000 of the abandoned inmates, and women in the camp named new-born sons after him.
Committed to service in the armed forces, Ford also served two tours of duty in Vietnam with the Third Marine Amphibious Force in 1966-1968. He once went on a jungle mission with a Special Forces Team during the Vietnam War. Ford was the only actor to have served with both the Green Berets and the French Foreign Legion and his military record is well recognized in both the United States and France as a highly decorated veteran.
Among his numerous medals and commendations are the Medal of Honor presented by the Veterans of Foreign Wars; the Medaille de la France Libre for the liberation of France; two commendation medals from the U.S. Navy; and the Vietnamese Legion of Merit. He received the rank of Captain with the U.S. Naval Reserves in 1968; retiring in 1977.
Ford bravely served his country in two wars (not on the sidelines, but in the front lines) facing enemy fire on many occasions and never expecting to be treated like a Hollywood star but as a fellow fighting man. He was indeed a hero both on and off the screen.
That's the way Glenn Ford would want to be remembered.
Wild Thing's comment....
I was fortunate to work with Glenn Ford on a film called Berrgarman Thief (1979). He was wonderful and we spoke of our country, our military and how he felt about those serving. I only had a small part in the film and he treated me with respect and kindness. I love it when I get a chance to thank one of our Veterans in person for his service to our country.
Posted by Wild Thing at September 3, 2006 12:47 AM
Comments
I enjoyed all of his roles. Thank you Glenn for you service to America, and for your entertaining movies.
Since the 70's, I think Hollywood has been on a decline in quality of movie productions, tv productions and personlity of celebs.
Posted by: TomR at September 3, 2006 03:56 AM
About Glenn Ford I can only say What a great American and Actor as well. Hollywood today is a disgrace very few so called stars volunteer to entertain the troops.The USO depends on country music stars mostly they are the ones that have picked up the gauntlet. This willbe to Hollyweirds ever lasting shame.
Posted by: Jack Hamilton at September 3, 2006 06:36 AM
Tom I hate how Hollywood has gotten worse. It is really bad now and the movies are so seldom any good anymore. I love the oldies the best and once and awhile a good film will be made.
Posted by: Wild Thing at September 3, 2006 12:10 PM
I agree Jack, there are tons of people that should be going to entertain the troops. They just won't do it. They don't want to be associated with the right, with Bush, with Republicans more then they care about supporting the troops. grrrrrr
Posted by: Wild Thing at September 3, 2006 12:12 PM
Thank you for remembering this great human being, Hollywood would rather heap praise on an anarchist than honor a true American. You would think that a man who has brought so much to the movie industry, has made them millions of dollars and increased their viewership would get at least an honorable mention from the industry that he gave so much to, it's sort of like Disney censuring the truth to re-write history in favor of the second worst president in history.
Glenn Ford wasn't given much fanfare in the press at his passing either, but that's what I've come to expect from the media.
Posted by: Jack at September 3, 2006 12:36 PM
Me too Jack, I was hoping the media would mention a lot more about Glenn Ford and his service to our country.
I really can't stand how our media is!!
Posted by: Wild Thing at September 3, 2006 04:48 PM
Wow! I never knew...
Posted by: Barb at September 4, 2006 09:34 AM
Hi Barb, a lot of people didn't know. The horrible media could have mentioned Glenn Ford's military career but they didn't.
Posted by: Wild Thing at September 4, 2006 11:12 AM
