Navy992

Durning would have claimed the Medal of Honor if he lived a few more years.

Anyone know Broadsword56? He started this thread, this may be of interest to him.

Yes, here's a quote from the National Archives researcher in an email that he sent me: Something to notice about the "Durning types" is that they never provide names or units....they talk in generalities so as not to be pinned down by someone who actually does research.... It seems that over time, Durning got more brazen with his claims including this one that could be so easily verified as untrue. When he got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, he said this: http://www.foxnews.com/story/2008/08/01/charles-durning-earns-star-on-hollywood-walk-fame/ Born in Highland Falls, New York, Durning said he was 17 when he went to war, along with his three brothers. "They dropped down the age (to enlist) to 18. I signed my mother's name and she was not happy about that," he said. He was born February 28, 1923, so that meant he would have enlisted in 1940, nearly 2 years before Pearl Harbor. In fact, he was drafted in 1943 at age 19. This is verified by his service record and an item I found in the archives of an upstate New York newspaper listing some recent draftees.

The below quote is from Steve Karras, author of the article that questioned Durning's version of his service and provides a reasonable explanation: As for the Silver Star, his discharge papers reads “Silver Star” and not "Silver Star Medal" which also leads me to believe that one of his outfits had 5 bronze campaign stars (the 20th Special Services Battalion) which is usually replaced with one silver star. However, that’s just a hunch.. I've been in contact with Steve and he sent me a copy of Durning's discharge papers and medical report. They list one Purple Heart, for wounds received from the S mine explosion behind the lines, and "Silver Star" vs. "Silver Star Medal". The medical report lists no wounds other than those from the S mine disproving his claim of being bayoneted. Steve put me in contact with the researcher from the National Archives who is absolutely convinced that Durning saw no combat at all.

Yes, too bad just having served, apparently honorably, wasn't enough for him. I recall some years back watching an NBC special about D-Day or the Battle of the Bulge, he was supposedly retracing his steps during the battle with Tom Brokaw and making up all his exploits as he went along. He told one too many stories and accepted too many accolades for his fictitious heroism. It's hard to respect someone with such character.

It turns out Durning fabricated most of his wartime experiences. He told many conflicting stories over the years and the truth has finally come out. Read this all the way through - http://nmisscommentor.com/random-firings/charles-durning-obit-in-the-new-york-times/