Charles Durning, RIP

Jack Klugman also died.

But Durning lived a life especially worth noting:

He was among the first wave of U.S. soldiers to land at Normandy during the D-Day invasion and the only member of his Army unit to survive. He killed several Germans and was wounded in the leg. Later he was bayoneted by a young German soldier whom he killed with a rock. He was captured in the Battle of the Bulge and survived a massacre of prisoners.

In later years, he refused to discuss the military service for which he was awarded the Silver Star and three Purple Hearts.

“Too many bad memories,” he told an interviewer in 1997. “I don’t want you to see me crying.”

An old episode of Dinner for Five featured Durning (and Burt Reynolds, and Dom DeLuisie). Durning wouldn't talk about his WWII experience, but Reynolds did a little bit. Durning went to Normandy on the gliders, and overshot the beach, and had to fight his way back to the beach just to take part in the main battle. Starts at about 11:50, lasts until Reynolds finishes speaking.

posted by Ace at 04:07 PM

| Access Comments