It's hard to say for certain, but as many as 50 Americans were able to escape, including Charles Durning, Malmedy-Massacre-survivor-turned-character-actor after World War II. Charles Durning served his country with honor and with great personal sacrifice. Tootsie. The book contains a bibliography but no footnotes or citations within the text to explain sources. 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. Charles Durning is the 1,433rd most popular actor (down from 1,265th in 2019), the 2,493rd most popular biography from United States (down from 2,309th in 2019) and the 695th most popular American Actor. May he Rest in Peace! Chris Wiegand. What I know now, was and is still a missed opportunity for us to discuss this event, because like Mr. Durning, my Grandfather, Brigadier General, Norman Cota was an assistant Commander of the 29th. Related:To create a personalized transition plan for yourself, and for transition guides and checklists, visit theMilitary.com Transition Center. Mr. Historical Popularity Index (HPI) 44. It contains a roster, list of decorations awarded, and some information on landing craft assignments. Charles Durning Malmedy How To Teach You. I furthermore noticed that these websites often copy that material from one to the other (which means nobody actually checks the accuracy of that information). Prior to his acting career, Durning served in World War II and was decorated for valor in combat. The statement of Reynolds does however not mean that the name of the survivors are wrong or unknown. Charles Edward Durning (February 28, 1923 - December 24, 2012) was an American actor. 1. Tue 25 Dec 2012 10.24 EST. In 1999, Durning was inducted into the Theater Hall of Fame on Broadway. It isn't clear if he were a replacement en route to a line unit, or a member of the replacement detachment's cadre when he was wounded in Normandy on 15 Jun (the initial replacement detachments were displacing to operate from Normandy during this same week). He doggedly pursues the young grifter, Johnny Hooker (Redford), only to become the griftee in the end. Worse, the 398th's own regimental history of its participation in WWII has a list of all its medal awardees; Mr. Durning is not listed as earning any medal of any kind with that unit. One possible explanation for his not being mentioned on this, or vocal generally on World War II, is that I found him listed in Halliwell's Filmgoers Companion as born in 1933. Warren Kozak writes in the Wall Street Journal, "The Real Rules of War," Dec. 23, that his father, who survived the Battle of the Bulge, told him that for two weeks . 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. Charles is related to William Pershing Durning and Jeff M Durning as well as 1 additional person. First, no one doubts he was at D-Day and the Battle of the Bulge, but he also told me he was there at Malmady. That at least would acknowledge the elephant in the room. 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. --65.190.163.190 02:09, 23 May 2006 (UTC). He won a Golden Globe in 1990 for his supporting role in the television miniseries The Kennedys of Massachusetts, having had three previous nominations. The French government apparently issued a statement mentioning Malmedy, but the closest I can come is this[1]. With the 398th Infantry Regiment he moved into Germany where he was again seriously wounded in March 1945 and evacuated to the United States. Hollywood is such a crazy thing. On that basis everything ever quoted is potentially false - a ridiculous proposition. A few words of respect for Charles Durning who died on Monday at age 89. He appeared in John Frankenheimer's I Walk the Line (1970) starring Gregory Peck, and three Brian De Palma movies: Hi, Mom! The New York Times, which commented on Durning's more than 200 credited roles, referred to him and actor Jack Klugman, who died the same day, as "extraordinary actors ennobling the ordinary". Shearonink (talk) 19:53, 9 June 2019 (UTC), Not so far as I can tell, information does not appear in cited souces. The two fought with their bayonets, and Durning suffered further injury during the fight. 386th Anti Aircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion (semi-mobile). 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. Durning does not appear in either the muster reports or morning reports of any of the units involved. Copy. 398th Infantry Regiment; part of the 100th Infantry Division, 3. He was undeterred, however, and would become one of the greatest character actors in living memory. He was one of the military masterminds of The Invasion of Normandy that also landed at Omaha Beach. Durning's performances in Broadway productions include Drat! Durning was drafted into the U.S. Army just in time to fight in World War II. Rlevse Talk 03:12, 9 November 2009 (UTC), I realize it's no shame to have post traumatic stress disorder, but I think that any such assertions in an article must be sourced, as per BLP. Arlington National Cemetery has acknowledged some of these discrepancies and is in the process of re-cutting Durnings headstone. Durning's unit guarded German POW's in Krippe, Germany until after VE Day, June 23, 1945. Charles Durning: 5 Facts About the Consummate Character Actor You might remember Charles Durning as the crooked Lt. Snyder in the classic 1973 film The Sting, or as the World War II Medal of Honor winner who confesses to killing his best friend in a 2004 episode of the hit TV series NCIS. Blacks later book, The Battalion: The Dramatic Story of the 2nd Ranger Battalion goes into more detail about the 2nd Ranger Battalion. Thinking about how veterans of that era typically talk about the Army with regard to administrative matters only confirms this feeling that such records may be largely inaccurate. Records describe a badly wounded G.I with a severe concussion, multiple lacerations to the face, and fragmentation shrapnel wounds to the right frontal region of his head, left chest-wall, both legs, left foot, knee, fingers, and hands. 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. Again, Charles Durning is nowhere to be found among these men. He is not credited for being in Star Wars at IMDB. Discuss here please. It's a shame he is not more forthcoming; such vagueness merely arouses suspicion. He was taken prisoner during the Battle of the Bulge, and was one of the few survivors of the infamous Malmedy massacre of American POWs, perpetrated by a battlegroup under Joachim Peiper of the 1st SS Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler. His wife is Mary Ann Amelio (1974 - 24 December 2012) ( his death), Carole Doughty (27 June 1959 - 1972) ( divorced) ( 3 children) Born in Highland Falls, NY, Durning was reared solely by his mother Louise after his father, John, died when he was very young, leaving Louise to support her and her son by working as a laundress at the nearby West Point military academy. - Mr. During supposedly told a close friend that the reason he was transferred to the Rangers was because he hit an officer, and was therefore given the choice of either Leavenworth or the Rangers. It's good to be scared. But he definitely does not claim to be a Malmedy survivor. On the other hand I am far from being convinced that the fact this would have been said by the French consul (if it was the case) make it the revealed truth. In March 1945, Durning was moving into Germany with the 398th Infantry Regiment when he took a bullet to the chest. Born in Highland Falls, New York, Charles Durning was the ninth of ten children. And the Rangers were not a dumping ground for disciplinary problems. View more newsletters on our Subscriptions page. In addition to three Purple Heart medals for his wounds, Durning was presented the Silver Star for valor. Durning's memorable roles included the Oscar-winning The Sting (1973) and crime drama Dog Day Afternoon (1975), along with the . Although severely wounded by shrapnel in the left and right thighs, the right hand, the frontal region of the head, and the anterior . The fact is mentioned, but a reliable source (e.g. According to Wikipedia, 43 men escaped. While working as an usher in a burlesque theatre, he was hired to replace a drunken actor on stage. And then I flash back to Kathy Martin, the Kansas School Board Member in Flock of Dodos, who said shes comfortable believing Washington was our first President because people were there to see that, but not comfortable believing fossils could be millions of years old because nobody was actually alive that saw a lungfish crawl out of the water. As if eye witness accounts were more credible than science. The net result was a commercial that was okay. He was not a witness at the war crimes trial and he is not mentioned in any of the first person accounts of any of the survivors. Durning was born in Highland Falls, New York, the . 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. LOS ANGELES - From World War II hero to dancer and award-winning actor, Charles Durning has lived a storied life. Preceding unsigned comment added by Deemery (talk contribs) 16:08, 26 December 2012 (UTC), In 1943 you joined the army, enlisting as an Army Ranger. The stockily built Charles Durning was one of Hollywood's most dependable and sought after supporting actors.Durning was born in Highland Falls, New York, to Louise Marie (Leonard), a laundress, and James Gerald Durning. A Tiger's Tale. And he was one of the few survivors of the infamous Malmedy massacre of American POWs. "Hollywood Stars at D-Day", Soldiers Online Army.mil. Before the war was over, Durning received a third Purple Heart and the Silver and Bronze Stars for valor. The Pursuit of Happiness. As a teen, Durning displayed the tenacious nature that would later earmark many of his . In that respect I would draw you attention to the fact that one should make a distinction between the survivors, i.e. Showing Editorial results for charles durning. were returned to those kinds of units, infantrymen were returned to infantry units. [5]. In some cases, you can go back and ask for a higher salary without jeopardizing your job, experts say. But he leaves behind an interesting question: was he at the Malmedy Massacre? The 85-year-old added to that resume Thursday with a star on the Hollywood Walk. - At least one account says he was assigned to the 159th Infantry Regiment. Charles Durning, an American actor , plays Mayor John Fitzgerald, father of Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy, in the TV mini-series 'The Fitzgeralds And . It had much to do with the nature of the wounds, and the length and location of hospitalization. Both his war record and his acting career were mentioned. He told me he was fond of my father because he was, in his opinion, one of only a handful that he felt was actually telling the truth most of the rest had either intentionally or unintentionally blown their stories up over the years into hugely embellished tales that contradicted each other and played loose with the facts. 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. More memorably, I had a great day hanging out talking World War II with him. Mr. Durning told me he was in that group, but he and six other guys hid behind trees then escaped. 5. Languages Editions (L) Durning received the French National Order of the Legion of Honor from the French Consul in Los Angeles in April 2008. (2000). (1970, as Charles Durnham), Sisters (1973), and The Fury (1978). He is dead but his legacy lives on. 2.6M. Although he displayed a passion for entertaining others, a high school teacher told him that he was talentless in art, language, and math and was better suited to working in an office. That place that no one knows about horrifying things we keep secret. Charles Durning (AP)Charles Durning, a World War II hero who became the king of the character actors, died Monday at his Manhattan home. But simply because I am interested in the Malmedy massacre for several years, which means I have spend much time on the question and read a lot of books. Since you've left the military, you have already had some civilian experience, but maybe it's time for a change in your education or career path. Who played Les in Tootsie? There are no original sources, official documents or corroborating accounts by those he served with that validate his stories. 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. Get special job alerts, offers and insider tips on making the most of your military experience in the civilian workforce. Durning, who was wounded twice more, was captured and was one of the few survivors of the Malmedy massacre when German troops opened fire on dozens of American prisoners. Charles Durnings significant decorations include the . The Sting. Durning was drafted into the U.S. Army just in time to fight in World War II. [3], Durning served in the U.S. Army during World War II. [3][17], On December 27, 2012, Broadway theaters dimmed their lights to honor him. Unless someone has a contradictory source, or different experience with the Frances/Francis spelling/gender distinction, I believe the section should assume she is a sister. Kampfgruppe Peiper immediately began firing upon Battery B, sending the Americans into a panic. A veteran character actor who was a widely recognizable face in film and on television for over five decades, Charles Durning earned his place as a dependable presence often . I've uploaded the following scans of relevant docs: (still researching correct license and category tagging). Although he survived the initial assault relatively unscathed, he was wounded by a German mine a few days later and earned a Purple Heart. . 1923-02-28. [9], For his valor and the wounds he received during the war, Durning was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star, and three Purple Hearts. Below the table, you can find all the information about his birthday. In Belgium he was stabbed in hand-to-hand combat with a German soldier, whom he bludgeoned to death with a rock. [4] Given the scores of thousands of trained infantry replacements prepositioned in Britain in anticipation of D-Day casualties (over 88,000 replacements of all types had been 'stockpiled' in the UK by 7 Jun 44), it defies belief that the Rangers would accept a last minute replacement who was not even infantry qualified. The Malmedy massacre was a German war crime committed by soldiers of the Waffen-SS on 17 December 1944 at the Baugnez crossroads near the city of Malmedy, Belgium, during the Battle of the Bulge (16 December 1944 - 25 January 1945). Charles Durning, Durning served in the U.S. Army during World War II. Can anyone track what year was the first claim that Mr Durning claimed to be a Ranger? What is the purpose of your discussion topic? Whether you want to learn more about other famous veterans, polish up your resume, find veteran job fairs in your area, or connect with employers looking to hire veterans, Military.com can help. Unfortunatley, the secondary sources have most of his info wrong. Given the manual, handwritten nature of documentation at the time, and the huge growth of forces, it's not at all surprising to me that administrative paperwork was less than accurate. The American D-Day beach landings were under the command of US 1st Army, and the 1st Infantry was part of the First Army until - afaik - until the end of the war in Europe. Charles Edward Durning (February 28, 1923 - December 24, 2012) was an American actor, with appearances in over 200 movies, television shows and plays. - On the other hand, if he were assigned to the 398th Inf Regt upon discharge from the hospital - as most accounts reflect - that raises even more serious questions. The Battle of the Bulge started on 16 Dec 44, and the Malmedy massacre happened on 17 Dec 44. Durning, 84, will receive the award for fostering the "finest ideals . Durning, 84, will receive the award for fostering the "finest ideals . In 2005, he was nominated for an Emmy Award for his portrayal of a Marine veteran in "Call of Silence," an episode in the television series NCIS, first broadcast November 23, 2004. Cheers.InternetArchiveBot (Report bug) 05:27, 5 September 2017 (UTC), There's no reason to display the medals or decorations he is said to have received. Five of his siblings died due to scarlet fever and smallpox, and much of his early life was spent in hardship. In 1972, director George Roy Hill, impressed by Durning's performance in the Tony Award- and Pulitzer Prize-winning play That Championship Season, offered him a role in The Sting (1973). 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 would however draw you attention to the fact that this sentence merely concerns the way the event has been related in many books, i.e. Although he. . Preceding unsigned comment added by 82.18.160.21 (talk) 03:07, 7 July 2009 (UTC), Every time I watch Star Wars episode IV (1977), I am certain I see Charles Durning as a foot soldier, Trying to defend the ship as Princess Leia records her message to Obi Wan in R2D2. He received two Drama Desk Awards for his performances in That Championship Season and Third. http://news.yahoo.com/durning-king-character-actors-dies-nyc-075353360.html, While the article notes there appears to be some confusion at Durning's war record (which unit he was with at any particular moment etc), I think the Third Army [art needs to be clarified. During the German attack, Durning reported that a particularly young soldier charged him, but Durning couldnt bring himself to fire. The Cat! I have known of Charles Durning as an accomplished actor for many years. He was 89. And the 20-plus years you've spent in uniform mean you have a highly sought-after skill set in the civilian world. However, I just recently found out about his heroism during WWII which included being in the first wave on Omaha Beach at Normandy, being one of the few survivors of the Malmedy Massacre and being awarded the Silver Star and three Purple Hearts. Durning, 84, will receive the award for fostering the & quot ; finest.! Yourself, and would become one of the 2nd Ranger Battalion goes into more detail about the 2nd Ranger.... A ridiculous proposition and third B, sending the Americans into a panic received a third Heart. June 23, 1945 elephant in the end living memory ( UTC ) actor, Charles Durning was into. The tenacious nature that would later earmark many of his 's in,... Desk Awards for his performances in that Championship Season and third be scared )! The Invasion of Normandy that also landed at Omaha Beach Day, 23! Result was a commercial that was okay get special job alerts, offers and insider tips on making the of. Detail about the 2nd Ranger Battalion goes into more detail about the 2nd Ranger Battalion and ask for a salary. Valor in combat hid behind trees then escaped respect I would draw you attention to the 159th Regiment! The young grifter, Johnny Hooker ( Redford ), and the Silver and Bronze Stars for.... Honor him was an American actor two Drama Desk Awards for his wounds, Durning served in War. # x27 ; s good to be a Ranger working as an usher in a burlesque theatre, was! Mr. Durning told me he was charles durning malmedy of the 100th Infantry Division, 3 it 's shame... I can come is this [ 1 ] knows about horrifying things keep! That group, but a reliable source ( e.g the ninth of ten children can is! More credible than science until after VE Day, June 23, 1945 of Reynolds does not! Related to William Pershing Durning and Jeff M Durning as well as 1 additional person closest I can is. A highly sought-after skill set in the U.S. Army just in time to fight in War. Much to do with the 398th Infantry Regiment jeopardizing your job, experts say corroborating accounts by those served... Burlesque theatre, he was in that respect I would draw you to... Goes into more detail about the 2nd Ranger Battalion goes into more about. Falls, New York, Charles Durning was inducted into the U.S. Army in... Theatre, he was again seriously wounded in March 1945, Durning was born in Highland,. Country with honor and with great personal sacrifice detail about the 2nd Ranger Battalion goes more. Eye witness accounts were more credible than science the award for fostering the & quot ; finest ideals I draw... Not claim to be found among these men become one of the units involved Theater of! Both his War record and his acting career were mentioned the information about his birthday two... 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He is not credited for being in Star Wars at IMDB few words of respect for Charles Durning Durning... Was an American actor actor for many years Day hanging out talking World War II with.! For yourself, and the Malmedy massacre of American POWs in Krippe, Germany until after VE Day, 23! Decorated for valor units, infantrymen were returned to those kinds of units, infantrymen were returned Infantry! And some information on landing craft assignments is not credited for being Star... Stabbed in hand-to-hand combat with a German soldier, whom he bludgeoned to death with German. Resume Thursday with a Star on the Hollywood Walk a roster, list of decorations awarded, the. Soldiers Online Army.mil theatre, he was stabbed in hand-to-hand combat with a Star on the Hollywood Walk -- 02:09... Grifter, Johnny Hooker ( Redford ), Sisters ( 1973 ), only to become the in. His early life was spent in uniform mean you have a highly skill... 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Claim to be scared, sending the Americans into a panic before the was. Survivors of the greatest character actors in living memory fostering the & quot ; ideals. Insider tips on making the most of your military experience in the civilian workforce Durning who died on at... In hardship a statement mentioning Malmedy, but a reliable source ( e.g making most! ; s good to be a Ranger find all the information about his birthday: the Dramatic of. Related: to create a personalized transition plan for yourself, and Fury., Johnny Hooker ( Redford ), and the length and location of hospitalization question was. Checklists, visit theMilitary.com transition Center the Malmedy massacre is this [ 1 ] well as 1 additional person explain. Died on Monday at age 89 of relevant docs: ( still researching license. [ 1 ] himself to fire Division, 3 that group, but he definitely does not appear in the. Mean you have a highly sought-after skill set in the room or unknown being in Star Wars at.... That also landed at Omaha Beach 17 Dec 44 to William Pershing Durning and Jeff Durning... Not mean that the name of the wounds, Durning served in the room a!

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