Charles Durning was one of the most prolific, respected, and recognizable character actors of his generation. Films, TV, Broadway, radio -- he did it all.
He was also a legitimate, bonafide war hero. During World War II, Charles Durning was the only man in his unit to actually make it onto Omaha Beach on D-Day. Sadly, the rest all perished before making it ashore.
Durning then led a charge against 7 german machine gunners, where was shot in both legs and ravaged with shrapnel. It was a miracle that he even survived. Charles Durning spent the next 6 months in a London hospital re-learning to walk and pleading with superiors to let him rejoin his unit. Tired of taking no for an answer, he busted out of the hospital and rejoined his unit in Belgium anyway.
As soon as he made it to Belgium, Durning was part of a group that was captured by German soldiers. For three days, they were forced to march through the Malmedy forest when suddenly the german soldiers opened fire on the unsuspecting POWs.
Durning was one of a handful of the 90 Americans to escape what would be known as the Malmedy Massacre, one of the worst atrocities of World War II. He would suffer severe PTSD and survivor's guilt, which at times was apparent in his on screen work.
"I saw things that nobody should ever have to see," said Durning shortly before passing away at the age of 89. "I'll take the memory of those boys who didnt make it to the grave with me."
God Bless this American legend!
#ww2 ##usarmy #CharlesDurning
He was also a legitimate, bonafide war hero. During World War II, Charles Durning was the only man in his unit to actually make it onto Omaha Beach on D-Day. Sadly, the rest all perished before making it ashore.
Durning then led a charge against 7 german machine gunners, where was shot in both legs and ravaged with shrapnel. It was a miracle that he even survived. Charles Durning spent the next 6 months in a London hospital re-learning to walk and pleading with superiors to let him rejoin his unit. Tired of taking no for an answer, he busted out of the hospital and rejoined his unit in Belgium anyway.
As soon as he made it to Belgium, Durning was part of a group that was captured by German soldiers. For three days, they were forced to march through the Malmedy forest when suddenly the german soldiers opened fire on the unsuspecting POWs.
Durning was one of a handful of the 90 Americans to escape what would be known as the Malmedy Massacre, one of the worst atrocities of World War II. He would suffer severe PTSD and survivor's guilt, which at times was apparent in his on screen work.
"I saw things that nobody should ever have to see," said Durning shortly before passing away at the age of 89. "I'll take the memory of those boys who didnt make it to the grave with me."
God Bless this American legend!
#ww2 ##usarmy #CharlesDurning
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