INSP is proud of our U.S. military forces, and we commend all who served to protect and defend our nation, past and present, in The Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard.
Let’s take a look at a few INSP stars who put on the uniform before they put on their costumes in Hollywood. We invite you to share stories and photos to honor the veterans in your life in the comments below.
U.S. Army, Battle of Anzio, WWII, Army Rifleman – Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, among others
Dan Blocker - Bonanza
U.S. Army, Korean War – Purple Heart
Earl Hamner, Jr. - The Waltons
U.S. Army, WWII
Robert Horton - Wagon Train
U.S. Coast Guard, WWII
Cameron Mitchell - The High Chaparral
U.S. Army Air Corps – WWII Bombardier
Chuck Norris - Walker, Texas Ranger
U.S. Air Force – Air Force Veteran of the Year Award, 2001
U.S. Navy, transferred to U.S. Marine Corps
Ralph Waite - The Waltons
U.S. Marine Corps
Guest Stars
Ernest Borgnine - Wagon Train
U.S. Navy, WWII
Chuck Connors - Gunsmoke and The Rifleman
U.S. Army, WWII
Leonard Nimoy - Bonanza and Daniel Boone
U.S. Army Reserve
Dennis Hopper - Cheyenne
U.S. Navy, WWII – Bronze Star
INSP Movie Stars
Barry Corbin - Christmas in the Smokies
U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, Vietnam
U.S. Navy, WWII
U.S. Army
California Air National Guard
Henry Fonda - Fort Apache
U.S. Navy, WWII – Bronze Star
Rank at completion of service was commissioned Lieutenant Junior Grade – Air Combat Intelligence
U.S Marine Corps Reserve, WWII
American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal, U.S. Naval Reserve (1958), Navy Commendation Medal for service in Vietnam. Retired in 1970s with the rank of Captain.
James Garner - Support Your Local Sheriff!
U.S. Merchant Marine (WWII), Oklahoma National Guard, U.S. Army, Korean War – 2 Purple Hearts
U.S. Army, WWII
Became the nation’s most decorated WWII soldier with 33 awards and medals, including three Purple Hearts, one Medal of Honor and the Distinguished Service Cross.
Tom Selleck - The Shadow Riders
California National Guard
James Stewart - The Rare Breed
U.S. Army, WWII – Pilot, Brigadier General
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About the Author
The folks who can’t stop talking about classic Westerns, swapping fun trivia, and finding new ways to celebrate cowboy grit (and maybe the occasional outlaw charm). We love sharing stories that bring the spirit of the West to life, one post at a time.
