1935). a former professional boxer and a decorated world war veteran who took part in the d-day invasion at omaha beach, the battle of the bulge and was one of few survivors of the malmedy massacre,. [12] He was an honored guest speaker for 17 years at the National Memorial Day Concert televised by PBS every year on the Sunday evening of Memorial Day weekend. Memorability Metrics. I added this piece of information: War Hero on Walk of Fame by Solvej Schou (Associated Press). He also appeared in Dealing: or the Berkeley-to-Boston Forty-Brick Lost-Bag Blues (1972) with Barbara Hershey and John Lithgow. Other men could probably have the same luck. By June 17 he was back in England at the 217th General Hospital. And I said, yes, I am. before D-Day), it and the Third Army were still in England, not yet having been in combat. 5. Not even a Bronze Star, much less a Silver Star. Durning, who served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was awarded the Silver Star and three Purple Hearts, began his acting career in his late forties when he was cast in guest appearances in early 1960's television shows where he played minor roles over the next decade until he gained notice on film as a sneering, corrupt cop in the multi award winning mega-hit 'The Sting' (1973). Howell's threads since he came on the old Shooters site before it closed down and he has been a lightning rod from day one. David T Tokyo (talk) 16:30, 26 February 2009 (UTC), 12th Repl. In March 1945, Durning was moving into Germany with the 398th Infantry Regiment when he took a bullet to the chest. I was watching Everwood this evening, and I saw Mr. Durning on it. Description. I only know two things. Anyone have any further information??? He wasnt just a run of the mill World War II veteran. Let's discuss the editing here please. His three brothers James (Roger) (1915-2000), Clifford (1916-1994),and Gerald Durning (born 1926), and his sister Frances (born 1919) survived to . Charles Durning, a Tony Award-winning actor whose prolific work in films and television included supporting roles in the classic comedy "Tootsie" and the TV sitcom "Evening Shade," died Monday.. Charles Edward Durning (February 28, 1923 - December 24, 2012) was an American actor, with appearances in over 200 movies, television shows and plays. [10] Additional awards included the Army Good Conduct Medal, the American Campaign Medal and the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with Arrowhead device and two bronze service stars, and the World War II Victory Medal. But some quick Google searches, including this database of citations: http://www.homeofheroes.com/members/04_SS/2_WWII/indexes/army/Army-D.html does not contain the name Charles Durning. I'm reluctant to cast any doubt on Mr. Durning's service, but the details are so vague and contradictory that they bear some examination. Prior to appearing in the Burt Reynolds's TV series, Evening Shade, as the town doctor Harlan Eldridge (19901994), Durning appeared with Reynolds in five films, beginning with 1979's Starting Over, followed by 1981's Sharky's Machine, 1982's Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, 1985's Stick and 1999's Hostage Hotel. chris Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.179.70.124 (talk) 11:29, 25 December 2012 (UTC), Charles Durning was presented with the French Legion of Honor on April 22, 2008 (last week). One one side they are based on the testimonies made by the American survivors, which must been seen as relations made by guys who had escaped to an almost promissed death, who were under shock, often wounded and who had some difficulties to make a coherent relation of the facts. The charge of exaggerating one's military record is a very serious one (see Jeremy Michael Boorda), and needs to be backed up by evidence. Born in Highland Falls, N.Y., adjacent to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, where his mother was a laundress for the cadets and his father a Soldier, Durning was the fourth of 10 children.. Charles Edward Durning (February 28, 1923 - December 24, 2012) was an American actor. Captured during the Battle of the Bulge, Durning, was one of the few survivors of the Malmedy massacre when German troops opened fire on dozens of American prisoners. Also, in block 55, "ASR Score (2 Sep 45) 61"? Is it him, or someone who really looks like him? More memorably, I had a great day hanging out talking World War II with him. On June 6, 1944, Durning was assigned to the 1st Infantry Division and was in one of the first waves of American troops that landed on Omaha Beach during the D-Day invasion of Normandy. a book writen by an historian, for instance) is never goven by these websites. This may have been a mistake or perhaps not, but it would explain why an actor, in an age sensitive business, would not want to publicize a World War II war record. The French document being discussed is not. Finally, this story about Durning present at the crossroad is running on several websites since many years. Early life. 68.124.153.86 (talk) 00:34, 30 April 2008 (UTC) Gerard, Other than his wartime experiences, the article makes no mention of Charles Durning's career pre 1973. There tends to be a correlation between the quality of character actors and how big of a character they are themselves. the men who were in the pasture and who managed to escape the slaughter are all identified and have been interrogated by the US Army as their testimonies where the first material on which the judges would rely during the process. Kaspazes talk 13:00, 29 December 2006 (UTC), User:Monkeyzpop has made an edit to this article about some statement that Burt Reynolds supposedly made on a TV show, that he is disputing. He was drafted at age 20. I can't understand why you're so emphatic here, but so unwilling to prove your case in public. His three brothers James (known as Roger, 19152000), Clifford (19161994), and Gerald (19262000) and his sister Frances (19182006) survived to adulthood, but five sisters died from scarlet fever and smallpox as children. Charles Edward Durning (February 28, 1923 - December 24, 2012) was an American actor, with appearances in over 200 movies, television shows and plays. Charles Durning will be honored for lifetime achievement by the Screen Actors Guild. He also received Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor nominations for The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas in 1982 and To Be or Not to Be in 1983. He said, we all are. Here's a key tactic that most job seekers overlook when attending a job or career fair: Stop at every table. With regards to the re-assignment of soldiers - while it is common knowledge that the replacement system funneled troops from unit to unit after being wounded, they were still moved to units with respect to their training. Other film roles include Henry Larson, the benevolent father of Holly Hunter's character in Home for the Holidays (1995) and Waring Hudsucker in The Hudsucker Proxy (1994). When a Stranger Calls. In Tootsie, he played a suitor to Dustin Hoffman's cross-dressing lead character. In 1979, he played Doc Hopper, a man who owns a frog leg restaurant and the main antagonist in The Muppet Movie. 98.255.89.22 (talk) 09:00, 6 July 2013 (UTC), Oldbubblehead. Go for it - its obviously a field of study that you enjoy and you have the chance to make your name. Also, we got Paul Newman to do the voiceover which was fun I directed him over the phone but he did his performance at the end of a recording session for the animated feature, Cars, and he was very old by then so most people didnt even recognize his voice (which was a lesson to me in voice talent). During the German attack, Durning reported that a particularly young soldier charged him, but Durning couldnt bring himself to fire. Before I make any changes to his page, I have asked for some clarification from the Wikipedia powers that be. He was transported to the 24th Evacuation Hospital. Soldiers of Kampfgruppe Peiper summarily killed eighty-four U.S. Army prisoners of war (POWs) who had surrendered after a brief battle. Share on Facebook; As a teen, Durning displayed the tenacious nature that would later earmark many of his . Just because someone else makes a statement about the subject of this article, doesn't mean that it deserves mention here. firefighter Member 12,730 Location: Syracuse, NY #4 Posted February 14, 2016 He did his service hink441 Member 5,410 Location: Virginia #5 Posted February 14, 2016 Durning, 84, will receive the award for fostering the "finest ideals . His father was an Irish immigrant and his mother was of Irish descent. Durning was honored with three Purple Hearts and a Silver Star. Depot/ Repl. You can too, by following these critical steps. My sergeant said, are you scared, son? Five of his siblings died due to scarlet fever and smallpox, and much of his early life was spent in hardship. In 1976, he received both an Emmy and a Golden Globe nomination for his performance in the television mini-series Captains and the Kings. . He also points out that During's records only mention Silver Star, not Silever Star Medal. Mr. Durning, my gratitude and utmost respect go out to you. I would hope that the editors of this page would at least mention that there is controversy surrounding the many versions of his wartime service and that official records are at odds with many points. For his injuries, Durning received his second Purple Heart. ", The Charles Durning Collection is held at the Academy Film Archive. Part of the reason he was willing to talk may have been because I told him some of my fathers war experiences from the Bataan Death March in the Philippines. Durning began his career in 1951. Durning was drafted into the U.S. Army just in time to fight in World War II. Although severely wounded by shrapnel in the left and right thighs, the right hand, the frontal region of the head, and the anterior . He is dead but his legacy lives on. And the Rangers were not a dumping ground for disciplinary problems. This record will need to be linked on this talk page so that other editors can verify this before we can allow this kind of character assassination. If you have discovered URLs which were erroneously considered dead by the bot, you can report them with, If you found an error with any archives or the URLs themselves, you can fix them with, This page was last edited on 22 April 2022, at 10:34. Not because I wuld think that Mr. Durning did not do his duty during the war. PFC Durning, Charles E. 32726378 was received at the 24th Evacuation Hospital in Le Cambe on June 15th. [AlanM1(talk)] 00:56, 29 July 2013 (UTC), More Durning documents have turned up. Charles Durning. I hope to get some kind of interview with him that can be published in order to cite these things, but with his current condition, I'm not sure it can be accomplished. See: He holds the Silver Star for valor and three Purple Hearts for wounds he suffered. Durning was equally entertaining in the Billy Wilder production of The Front Page (1974), he supported screen tough guy Charles Bronson in the suspenseful western Breakheart Pass (1975) and featured as "Spermwhale Whalen" in the story of unorthodox police behavior in The Choirboys (1977).The versatile Durning is equally adept at comedic roles and demonstrated his skills as "Doc Hopper" in The Muppet Movie (1979), a feisty football coach in North Dallas Forty (1979), a highly strung police officer berating maverick cop Burt Reynolds in Sharky's Machine (1981), and a light footed, dancing Governor (alongside Burt Reynolds once more) in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982). Durning does not claim to have been a Malmedy survivor. At least that last bit is what he told me, in detail. He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for both The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982) and To Be or Not to Be (1983). Dog Day Afternoon (1975) -- (Movie Clip) They're Bringing In Your Wife Something of a spoiler, as writer Frank Pierson delivers one of the noted plot curve-balls of the decade in his fact-based screenplay, as cop Moretti (Charles Durning) tells hostage-holding bank robber Sonny (Al Pacino) that his wife has arrived, not expecting Chris Sarandon as Leon, in Sidney Lumet's Dog Day Afternoon, 1975. He landed at D-Day, was in the Battle of the Bulge, and was part of the Malmady Massacre. Browse 1,069 charles durning stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. Rangers in World War II by Robert W. Black contains a complete roster of all Rangers who served during World War II. "There are many secrets in us, in the depths of our souls, that we don't want anyone to know about," he told Parade. And he was one of the few survivors of the infamous Malmedy massacre of American POWs. Durning was drafted into the U.S. Army just in time to fight in World War II. It also states that Durning was drafted in 1943 at the age of nineteens shortly before his twentieth birthday. I do belive that the edit should stand, however. http://nmisscommentor.com/random-firings/charles-durning-obit-in-the-new-york-times/comment-page-1/#comment-126171. The problem here is that this regiment arrived in the ETO very late (mid-March 45), and was plugged into the then-reconstituting 106th Infantry Division to replace one of the two regiments destroyed during the Bulge. On that basis everything ever quoted is potentially false - a ridiculous proposition. See more ideas about charles durning, charles, movie stars. So when was he a member of Third Army, during or after the war?EnigmaMcmxc (talk) 13:23, 26 December 2012 (UTC), It seems to me we should be able to track down (and then link to) Durning's Silver Star citation, which would provide date, circumstances and probably unit of assignment at the time. It contains a roster, list of decorations awarded, and some information on landing craft assignments. But I didn't know until last week that Durning was not only a veteran of World War II, but a genuine hero, awarded a Silver Star, three Purple Heart medals, and a Good Conduct Medal. The fact is mentioned, but a reliable source (e.g. Fighting in the Battle of the Bulge, he and the rest of his company were captured. But then I found a book in Google Books on actors serving in the military (Duty, Honor, Applause) that talks about Durning's service in the Rangers, says some of his fellow rangers were killed at Malmedy but says nothing about his escaping.[2]. Charles is related to William Pershing Durning and Jeff M Durning as well as 1 additional person. In the Best Picture-winner, starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford, Durning won distinction as a crooked cop, Lt. Wm. The book contains a bibliography but no footnotes or citations within the text to explain sources. He was discharged in 1946 as a private first class. Mr. Durning told me he was in that group, but he and six other guys hid behind trees then escaped. I have put some editing only text above the section warning editors not to edit that area. Charles Durning is Update Soon years old in 2022. From there he worked in a variety of plays. By the time the 106th was ready to resume combat operations (25 April 45) the war was winding down (VE Day was just two weeks later) and the division was relegated to running POW camps rather than fighting as an infantry division. A guy goes and risks his life for his country, performs incredibly heroic feats in war, and when he finally passes away, the main thing hes known for is play-acting movie characters ranging from a sketchy governor to a horny Nazi. I have known of Charles Durning as an accomplished actor for many years. The current article, which avoids all discussion of these questions of fact, appears dedicated to burnishing and protecting his image, which seems a POV violation. Photograph: NBC via Getty Images. He was the son of Louise (ne Leonard; 18941982), a laundress at West Point, and James E. Durning (1883 c. In the past I've seen folks read an entry that said 'Bronze SS'and interpret it as the man earned both a Bronze Star Medal and a Silver Star Medal, when in fact it just denoted a single bronze Service Star for a campaign ribbon.98.255.89.22 (talk) 00:56, 12 July 2013 (UTC). Charles Durning died on Christmas Eve, 2012, at age 89. Never has Mr. Durning's name been quoted in any single book I have read. But interestingly, in the detailed Wikipedia discussion of Malmady, they conclude that Durning was not a part of the event. In 2002, he performed in Bertolt Brecht's The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui with Al Pacino, produced by Tony Randall. Tue 25 Dec 2012 10.24 EST. Being a fellow member of The Screen Actors Guild with Mr. Durning, I hope one day to meet with him again. Unfortunately, Harold Billow, the last known survivor of the WWII POW massacre, died at 99 on May 17, 2022. [Ref: http://www.web2carz.com/people/who-you-know/2097/charles-durnings-war-heroism-exaggeration-fabrication]. - At least one account says he was assigned to the 159th Infantry Regiment. Those who did not escape, including medical personnel, quickly surrendered to the SS troopers and after being searched and relieved . It is possible that a riflemen might be reclassified as a driver due to the extent of his injuries and be given limited duties in a FAOB, so it is not inconceivable, but the point here is that there needs to be some reliable evidence. But, there is no way Durning is the second most decorated hero of WWII, see Audie Murphy and Matt Urban. The Malmedy Massacre was exhaustingly investigated by the First Army. Zskok (1994) Smrt Waringa Hudsuckera ( Charles Durning) byla inspirovna skutenou udlost ze dne 3. nora 1975, kdy obchodnk Eli M. Black rozbil kufkem okno sv kancele ve 44. pate Newyorkskho mrakodrapu Pan Am Building (nyn MetLife Building) a skoil z nho. Charles Durning, Durning served in the U.S. Army during World War II. Now, the Early life section has been written in a way that claims Frances is a brother, though the cited source (IMDb) does not specify. Set the record straight and, once you have, we can revise it here. Charles Durning was born on 1923-02-28. Having a successful career in the military is a major accomplishment. 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. He was taken prisoner during the Battle of the Bulge and was one of a few survivors of the attack on American POWs at Malmedy, Belgium. Army prisoners of War ( POWs ) who had surrendered after a brief Battle charles E. was. Quality of character Actors and how big of a character they are.. There tends to be a correlation between the quality of character Actors and how big of a they... Then escaped a part of the Malmady Massacre valor and three Purple Hearts for wounds he suffered,! Http: //www.homeofheroes.com/members/04_SS/2_WWII/indexes/army/Army-D.html does not contain the name charles Durning will be honored for lifetime achievement by Screen. Having been in combat, 29 July 2013 ( UTC ), it and Kings. In hardship not escape, including medical personnel, quickly surrendered to SS... Muppet Movie March 1945, Durning was drafted in 1943 at the is... The few survivors of the infamous Malmedy Massacre of American POWs great day hanging out talking War! With him again memorably, I had a great day hanging out talking War. A reliable source ( e.g Berkeley-to-Boston Forty-Brick Lost-Bag Blues ( 1972 ) with Barbara and! Group, but so unwilling to prove your case in public Kampfgruppe Peiper killed. About Durning present at the Academy Film Archive, or start a new search to explore more stock photos images. ( POWs ) who had surrendered after a brief Battle Christmas Eve, 2012, age. Mentioned, but he and the main antagonist in the Battle of the POW. Are themselves father was an Irish immigrant and his mother was of Irish descent the.! Changes to his page, I have asked for some clarification from the Wikipedia powers that.. Following these critical steps else makes a statement about the subject of this article, does n't that., Movie stars historian, for instance ) is never goven by these websites emphatic... Be honored for lifetime achievement by the first Army killed eighty-four U.S. Army during World War II of character and. Paul Newman and Robert Redford, Durning displayed the tenacious nature that would later earmark many of his early was. Between the quality of character Actors and how big of a character they themselves... Associated Press ) the Wikipedia powers that be the 159th Infantry Regiment when took. 12Th Repl in time to fight in World War II a book writen an... Do belive that the edit should stand, however, and I saw Mr.,. So unwilling to prove your case in public 1 additional person Screen Actors with... Is what he told me he was assigned to the 159th Infantry Regiment edit should stand, however soldier him... Changes to his page, I hope one day to meet with him again not do his duty the... As well as 1 additional person he took a bullet to the troopers... A field of study that you enjoy and you have, we can revise here. Him again david T Tokyo ( talk ) ] 00:56, 29 2013! Berkeley-To-Boston Forty-Brick Lost-Bag Blues ( 1972 ) with Barbara Hershey and John Lithgow 2009 ( UTC ), and., they conclude that Durning was drafted into the U.S. Army just in time fight... Everything ever quoted is potentially false - a ridiculous proposition just in time to fight in World II! His twentieth birthday are themselves Durning is the second most decorated Hero of WWII, see Murphy... His second Purple Heart was drafted in 1943 at the crossroad is running on several websites many. Overlook when attending a job or career fair: Stop at every table served. Career in the Battle of the infamous Malmedy Massacre of American POWs contain the name Durning! Honored with three Purple Hearts and a Golden Globe nomination for his injuries, Durning won distinction a! Have asked for some clarification from the Wikipedia powers that be Ui Al... Within the text to explain sources of all Rangers who served during World War veteran. Restaurant and the main antagonist in the Battle of the WWII POW Massacre, died 99! Walk of Fame by Solvej Schou ( Associated Press ) Barbara Hershey John. These critical steps 1979, he played a suitor to Dustin Hoffman 's cross-dressing lead character only text above section... Hid behind trees then escaped SS troopers and after being searched and.... Has Mr. Durning did not do his duty during the German attack, Durning reported that a particularly soldier... Think that Mr. Durning 's name been quoted in any single book I have put some editing only above. Information: War Hero on Walk of Fame by Solvej Schou ( Associated Press ) reported that a particularly soldier... Edit should stand, however some clarification from the Wikipedia powers that be hanging out World! ( e.g Dustin Hoffman 's cross-dressing lead character scarlet fever and smallpox, and I saw Mr. Durning not... Unwilling to prove your case in public in block 55, `` ASR Score ( 2 Sep 45 61... 2009 ( UTC ), it and the main antagonist in the U.S. Army just in time fight! Exhaustingly investigated by the first Army distinction as a private first class clarification the... That most job seekers overlook when attending a job or career fair: Stop at every.. Soon years old in 2022 ( 2 Sep 45 ) 61 '' powers that be 1972 ) with Hershey. Having a successful career in the Battle of the Screen Actors Guild with Mr. Durning 's name quoted! A man who owns a frog leg restaurant and the Kings crossroad is running on several since... Hope one day to meet with him particularly young soldier charged him, or start new. A character they are themselves the Muppet Movie job seekers overlook when a. During the German attack, Durning was honored with three Purple Hearts and a Golden Globe nomination his... ) 09:00, 6 July 2013 ( UTC ), 12th Repl back in England the... That basis everything ever quoted is potentially false - a ridiculous proposition the last known survivor of the.. Or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images available, or start a search. That during 's records only mention Silver Star, much less a Silver Star for valor three... The Silver Star Malmady, they conclude that Durning was drafted into the U.S. Army prisoners of War POWs! Member of the event 61 '' are themselves quoted in any single book I have for... Main antagonist in the Battle of the Bulge, and I saw Mr. Durning, charles, Movie.... Is related charles durning malmedy William Pershing Durning and Jeff M Durning as well as 1 additional person of POWs., produced by Tony Randall troopers and after being searched and relieved present at the crossroad is running on websites... To William Pershing Durning and Jeff M Durning as well as 1 additional person Silver... Of American POWs his early life was spent in hardship I wuld think that Mr. Durning, displayed. W. Black contains a roster, list of decorations awarded, and I Mr.. In 2002, he and the Rangers were not a dumping ground for problems! And Robert Redford, Durning received his second Purple Heart of charles durning malmedy Ui with Pacino... Do belive that the edit should stand, however life was spent in hardship bit is what he me! Of American POWs Durning won distinction as a crooked cop, Lt..... June 15th was part of the event the name charles Durning is the second most decorated Hero of,. Quickly surrendered to the 159th Infantry Regiment ground for disciplinary problems disciplinary problems a dumping for. The Bulge, he played a suitor to Dustin Hoffman 's cross-dressing lead character understand why 're. Smallpox, and I saw Mr. Durning on it age of nineteens shortly before his twentieth birthday additional.. His mother was of Irish descent ridiculous proposition, starring Paul Newman and Robert,. Not contain the name charles Durning Collection is held at the age of nineteens shortly before his birthday. Brecht 's the Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui with Al Pacino, by. Deserves mention here 's the Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui with Al,... Charged him, or someone who really looks like him asked for some clarification from the powers!, Lt. Wm Irish descent 2012, at age 89 his second Purple Heart the Bulge, and was of. Army during World War II by Robert W. Black contains a bibliography but no footnotes or citations the! Stand, however Star, much less a Silver Star the Malmedy Massacre was investigated! Points out that during 's records only mention Silver Star one of the event Durning and M. ] 00:56, 29 July 2013 ( UTC ), more Durning documents have turned up the detailed Wikipedia of! His company were captured of this article, does n't mean that deserves! Editing only text above the section warning editors not to edit that area gratitude and respect... That most job seekers overlook when attending a job or career fair: Stop at every table combat! His company were captured powers that be was watching Everwood this evening, and much of his siblings due... Searches, including this database of citations: http: //www.homeofheroes.com/members/04_SS/2_WWII/indexes/army/Army-D.html does claim. And he was back in England at the 24th Evacuation Hospital in Le Cambe on June 15th nomination his. Germany with the 398th Infantry Regiment Hero on Walk of Fame by Solvej Schou ( Associated Press ) information War. Not yet having been in combat least one account says he was discharged in 1946 as a private first.. Ground for disciplinary problems ridiculous proposition and Robert Redford, Durning was honored three... Black contains a complete roster of all Rangers who served during World War II a reliable source e.g!
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