Missileer
Active member
I was watching Battle of The Bulge, again, and heard one of the commentators mention that American character actor Charles Durning was one of the men who escaped to the woods when the Germans opened up on them with machine guns. I was surprised that this rotund, funny, and in my opinion, great actor, was a Ranger in WWII.
Durning served as a U.S. Army Ranger in World War II, during which he was awarded a Silver Star and three Purple Heart medals. As a 21-year-old infantryman, he was part of the first wave of men to land on Omaha Beach on D Day in the Normandy Invasion. One of his injuries took place in the Battle of the Bulge, where he was one of the few survivors of the infamous Malmédy massacre on American POWs. Durning is well-known for participating in various functions to honor American veterans. He has said he still suffers from nightmares about his war experiences.
Durning served as a U.S. Army Ranger in World War II, during which he was awarded a Silver Star and three Purple Heart medals. As a 21-year-old infantryman, he was part of the first wave of men to land on Omaha Beach on D Day in the Normandy Invasion. One of his injuries took place in the Battle of the Bulge, where he was one of the few survivors of the infamous Malmédy massacre on American POWs. Durning is well-known for participating in various functions to honor American veterans. He has said he still suffers from nightmares about his war experiences.