Actor Charles Durning

[mojalajab]

Durning served in the U.S. Army during World War II. Drafted at age 21, he was first assigned as a rifleman with the 398th Infantry Regiment, and later served overseas with the 3rd Army Support troops and the 386th Anti-aircraft Artillery (AAA) Battalion. For his valor and the wounds he received during the war, Durning was awarded the Silver Star and three Purple Heart medals.

Durning participated in the Normandy Invasion of France on D-Day, June 6, 1944, and was among the first troops to land at Omaha Beach. Some sources state that he was with the 1st Infantry Division at the time, but it is unclear if he served as a rifleman or as a member of one of the division's artillery battalions.

Durning was wounded by a German “S” Mine on June 15, 1944, at Les Mare des Mares, France. He was transported by the 499th Medical Collection Company to the 24th Evacuation Hospital. By June 17 he was back in England at the 217th General Hospital. Although severely wounded by shrapnel in the left and right thighs, the right hand, the frontal region of the head, and the anterior left chest wall, Durning recovered quickly and was determined to be fit for duty on December 6, 1944. He arrived back at the front in time to take part in the Battle of the Bulge, the German counter-offensive through the Ardennes Forest of Belgium and Luxembourg in December 1944.[2][3]

After being wounded again, this time in the chest, Durning was repatriated to the United States. He remained in Army hospitals to receive treatment for wounds until being discharged with the rank of Private First Class on January 30, 1946.

Information

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[M1 Rifleman]

There are reports that he was with the 2nd Rangers, not sure which Company.

Dave

[mikebaker1129]

what movies did he play in ? I have never heard of him .

[mojalajab]

Here you go. Long list!!!

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001164/

[burgie]

He was in the film with Burt Reynolds and Dolly Parton The Best Little XXXXXhouse in Texas, he was the Governor. A fun movie we liked.

The Best Little *****house in Texas (1982)

Actors who served in WWII:
Actors in WWII

[John Kepler]

He was also the corrupt bunko cop ("Lt. William Snyder") with Robert Redford and Paul Newman in "The Sting"...one of my favorite movies! Any guy that can hold his own in a flick with Paul Newman, Robert Redford, Robert Shaw, Eileen Brennan, Ray Walston, Harold Gould, and Dana Elcar is powerfully good at his craft.

[M1 Rifleman]

You might also see him on several episodes of Everybody Loves Raymond. He plays the Catholic Priest.