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TRIVIA---Veterans Day trivia.
Charles Durning was nominated for two Academy Awards and appeared in movies including THE STING, THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE in TEXAS and TO BE OR NOT TO BE. In World War II, Durning served with the 1st Infantry Division, "The Big Red One", that landed in the first wave on Omaha Beach during D-Day. Durning said, “I bent down to tie my shoe – and the guys in front of me and behind me were killed instantly in a Nazi machine gun ambush. I was the only one to survive. In order to get out alive, I had to kill seven German gunners."
In the Battle of the Bulge, a German soldier with a bayonet stabbed Durning eight times. Durning killed the German with a rock. After being captured, Durning survived a massacre of other POWs and later helped identify his dead comrades. For his valor in combat, Durning received the Silver Star, Bronze Star, three Purple Hearts and the French National Order of the Legion of Honor.
Durning said about his combat experiences,“For years afterward, I wondered why my life was spared while they died. I have empathy for any man who fights a war and survives...That’s why I never starred in any war films. I have lived through the tragedy and heartache – I don’t need to pretend on-camera or act like a hero.”
A source close to Durning said, “Charles was a very proud soldier. But he said he would rather be remembered for entertaining people than for the wartime horrors he experienced.”
Charles Durning received his first Academy Award nomination for THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS starring Burt Reynolds.
Durning received his second Oscar nomination for, ironically, playing SS Col. Erhardt in TO BE OR NOT TO BE starring Mel Brooks.
Durning co-starred in THE STING with Robert Redford.
TRIVIA---Veterans Day trivia.
Charles Durning was nominated for two Academy Awards and appeared in movies including THE STING, THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE in TEXAS and TO BE OR NOT TO BE. In World War II, Durning served with the 1st Infantry Division, "The Big Red One", that landed in the first wave on Omaha Beach during D-Day. Durning said, “I bent down to tie my shoe – and the guys in front of me and behind me were killed instantly in a Nazi machine gun ambush. I was the only one to survive. In order to get out alive, I had to kill seven German gunners."
In the Battle of the Bulge, a German soldier with a bayonet stabbed Durning eight times. Durning killed the German with a rock. After being captured, Durning survived a massacre of other POWs and later helped identify his dead comrades. For his valor in combat, Durning received the Silver Star, Bronze Star, three Purple Hearts and the French National Order of the Legion of Honor.
Durning said about his combat experiences,“For years afterward, I wondered why my life was spared while they died. I have empathy for any man who fights a war and survives...That’s why I never starred in any war films. I have lived through the tragedy and heartache – I don’t need to pretend on-camera or act like a hero.”
A source close to Durning said, “Charles was a very proud soldier. But he said he would rather be remembered for entertaining people than for the wartime horrors he experienced.”
Charles Durning received his first Academy Award nomination for THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS starring Burt Reynolds.
Durning received his second Oscar nomination for, ironically, playing SS Col. Erhardt in TO BE OR NOT TO BE starring Mel Brooks.
Durning co-starred in THE STING with Robert Redford.