#wayne morris

Born Bert DeWayne Morris Jr. was an actor and World War II hero. February 17, 1914 - September 14, 1959

During the filming of Flight Angels (1940), Wayne became interested in flying and became a pilot. With war looming, he put his career on hold and joined the Naval Reserve as a flier in 1942. He was assigned to the carrier Essex as an F6F fighter pilot. He became an ace shooting down seven Japanese aircraft. He achieved the rank of Lieutenant Commander and was awarded four Distinguished Flying Crosses and two Air Medals. Unfortunately, his four year absence from Hollywood hurt his career. After the war, he was regulated to B Westerns and guest appearances in television serials. In 1957, he was cast as Lt Roget in Paths of Glory (1957). Morris turned in an outstanding performance, possibly reviving his waning career. During a visit to the carrier Bon Homme Richard carrier in San Francisco Bay, Morris suffered a massive heart attack and was transported to the Oakland Naval Hospital where he died. He was 45 years old. He is buried at Arlington Nation Cemetery. His brother, Richard, a B-17 pilot shot down during WWII, is also buried at Arlington.

The Return of Doctor X (1939) Vincent Sherman