The Korean War, often called the “Forgotten War” or a “Police Action,” saw countless brave individuals who served with distinction.1
Yet, many of these heroes don’t always get the recognition they deserve. These well-known figures stepped up during a critical time in history and made their mark both on and off the battlefield.
1. Neil Armstrong (1950-1952)
Neil Armstrong was an American naval aviator, test pilot, and astronaut. He is most famous for his historic Apollo 11 mission, but his military service during the Korean War is also a major part of his life.
During the Korean War, Armstrong served as a naval aviator. He flew 78 combat missions in the Korean Peninsula while assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Essex.
His role involved flying F9F Panther jets, conducting reconnaissance, and engaging in air-to-ground combat missions.
2. Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin (1950-1952)
Buzz Aldrin is an American astronaut, fighter pilot, and engineer. Before becoming an iconic figure in space history, he served as a pilot during the Korean War.
During the Korean War, Aldrin served as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. He was a fighter pilot flying the F-86 Sabre, one of the most effective aircraft of the conflict.
Aldrin completed 66 combat missions during the war, engaging in air-to-air combat and providing critical support for ground operations.
3. James Garner (1950-1952)
James Garner was an American actor best known for his roles in shows like Maverick and The Rockford Files and in films such as The Great Escape. Before his acting career took off, Garner served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.
Garner, whose real name was James Scott Bumgarner, enlisted in the National Guard and was called to active duty in the U.S. Army. He served in the 24th Infantry Division as a rifleman.
His time in Korea was tough, and he experienced intense combat during the war. Garner was injured twice during his service, once from shrapnel wounds to the face and hand, and once in a friendly fire incident where he was hit in the buttocks by U.S. fighter jets. (ref)
These injuries earned him two Purple Hearts.
4. Sir Michael Caine (1951-1953)
Sir Michael Caine, born Maurice Joseph Micklewhite, is one of the most respected British actors, known for his distinctive voice and wide range of roles. Before his acting career took off, Caine was conscripted into the British Army, serving during the Korean War.
Caine was drafted into the British Army in 1951 and was sent to Korea, where he served with the Royal Fusiliers as part of the British Commonwealth Brigade. He was involved in active combat, stationed on the front lines during some of the most dangerous phases of the war.
Caine’s role primarily involved patrolling and defending positions against North Korean and Chinese forces.
5. Casey Kasem (1952-1954)
Casey Kasem, born Kemal Amin Kasem, was an American disc jockey, actor, and radio personality. He gained fame for his long-running radio show American Top 40 and as the voice of Shaggy in the Scooby-Doo cartoons.
His distinctive voice and warm on-air presence made him a beloved figure. Before this, Kasem served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.
During the Korean War, Kasem was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1952. He worked as a DJ and announcer for the Armed Forces Radio Korea Network.
His job was to provide entertainment, news, and music for soldiers stationed in Korea. This experience allowed him to hone his broadcasting skills, which would later make him a household name in the U.S.
6. Charles B. Rangel (1950-1952)
Charles Rangel is an American politician who served in the U.S. House of Representatives for over 40 years, representing Harlem, New York. Before his political career, Rangel was a soldier in the U.S. Army, and his experience during the Korean War was a defining chapter of his life.
Rangel enlisted in the U.S. Army and served as part of the 2nd Infantry Division during the Korean War. He fought in some of the fiercest battles of the war, including the infamous Battle of Kunu-ri in November 1950.
When Rangel and his unit were surrounded by Chinese forces in freezing temperatures, he showed immense bravery in helping save his fellow soldiers and leading survivors out of the encirclement. For his actions during the battle, Rangel was awarded the Bronze Star with Valor and the Purple Heart.
7. John Glenn (1950-1953)
John Glenn was the first American to orbit the Earth in 1962 and served four terms in the U.S. Senate representing Ohio. But before his historic spaceflight and political career, Glenn was a fighter pilot who served in both World War II and the Korean War.
During the Korean War, Glenn flew 63 combat missions as a Marine Corps fighter pilot. He served with Marine Fighter Squadron 311 and later with the Air Force’s 51st Fighter Wing. He flew the F9F Panther jet and the F-86 Sabre.
His extraordinary skills as a pilot earned him the nickname “Magnet Ass” due to his plane being hit by enemy fire several times without causing him serious injury. He was credited with shooting down three MiG-15s during his service.
8. Rodolfo Pérez “Rudy” Hernández (1950-1951)
Rudy Hernández was a U.S. Army soldier born in Colton, California, to Mexican immigrant parents. He served as a corporal in Company G, 2nd Battalion, 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team during the Korean War.
Despite being relatively unknown compared to other war heroes, Hernández’s acts of valor make him one of the most courageous soldiers of the conflict.
In May 1951, during a fierce battle near Wontong-ni, Korea, Hernández performed an extraordinary act of heroism. His unit came under intense attack by a numerically superior enemy force.
After most of his comrades were killed or wounded, and his rifle ran out of ammunition, Hernández picked up a bayonet and charged into enemy lines, single-handedly taking out six enemy soldiers before being gravely wounded.
His actions stopped the enemy’s advance, allowing his unit to regroup and mount a counterattack.
9. Ted Williams (1952-1953)
Ted Williams, often referred to as “The Splendid Splinter,” was one of the greatest hitters in Major League Baseball history. He played his entire 19-year career with the Boston Red Sox, becoming a two-time MVP, six-time batting champion, and earning a place in the Baseball Hall of Fame.
In 1952, during the Korean War, Williams was recalled to active duty as a Marine Corps pilot. He served as a member of the VMF-311, a Marine fighter squadron, flying the Grumman F9F Panther jet.
He flew 39 combat missions during the war, often under dangerous and life-threatening conditions.
10. Ed McMahon (1952-1953)
Before becoming a television star and Johnny Carson’s sidekick, Ed McMahon was a Marine Corps officer and a fighter pilot. He initially joined the Marine Corps during World War II as a flight instructor and pilot but did not see combat.
During the Korean War, McMahon flew a total of 85 combat missions as a pilot of the F9F Panther, a jet fighter-bomber. He served in Marine Attack Squadron VMA-122, providing close air support to ground troops and participating in bombing missions.
His time in Korea was marked by a series of dangerous and intense air missions, many of which were flown in support of embattled U.S. and Allied forces on the ground. McMahon was known for his flying skills and bravery during these missions.
11. John Eisenhower (1951-1953)
John Eisenhower was the son of Dwight D. Eisenhower, who was a prominent military leader and later became the 34th President of the United States. He followed in his father’s footsteps by pursuing a military career.
During the Korean War, Eisenhower served as a member of the U.S. Army, holding the rank of Major. His primary role was as an infantry officer, and he was involved in various combat operations.
He served in the 45th Infantry Division and was assigned to the front lines, where he participated in some of the conflict’s major battles. His military service during this period was marked by his dedication and professionalism, contributing to the overall war effort in Korea.
12. Johnny Cash (1950-1954)
Johnny Cash, known as the “Man in Black,” was one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, famous for his deep voice and songs like Ring of Fire and I Walk the Line. Before his rise to fame in country and rock music, Cash served in the U.S. Air Force for four years during the Korean War.
Cash was then stationed in West Germany, far from the frontlines in Korea. He worked as a radio operator and intercepted Soviet military Morse Code transmissions, which was a critical intelligence-gathering task during the Cold War.
In fact, Cash has been credited with being the first American to intercept the news of Joseph Stalin’s death in 1953. (ref)
Each of these individuals’ military service during a challenging and often overlooked conflict adds an important dimension to their legacies.
Source:
Read Next:
Nancy Maffia
Nancy received a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.
