15 Famous Marines in the Spotlight

This article will take you through 15 Famous Marines and their influence upon our Marine Corps and nation.  These 15 Famous Marines range from Politicians, Actors, Musicians, Comedians, and Business Moguls.  Many of these Marines are not here today.  It is up to us as fellow Marines to keep their legacy alive by passing their story and their achievements to generations of future Marines.  Semper Fidelis!

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15 Famous Marines in the Spotlight

Actors

George C. Scott

George C. Scott is remembered for his role in films such as Patton, Dr Strangelove, The Hustler, and The Changeling.  However he got his start in the US Marine Corps.  George C Scott served at Washington D.C., at the 8th & I Barracks between 1945-1949.

Rob Riggle

Rob Riggle is an actor and comedian.  He was also a cast member of Saturday Night Live for a short period.  he also starred in such films as 21 Jump Street, Dumb and Dumber to, The Lorax, Hangover, Step Brothers, and The Other Guys.  Rob Riggle was first an Officer in the US Marine Corps Reserves before starting his film career.  He is a Retired Lt Colonel that has deployed to Kosovo and Afghanistan.  He was also awarded a Combat Action Ribbon.

R. Lee Ermey

R. Lee Ermey is probably the only Marine besides John Glenn that does not need an introduction.  R. Lee Ermey was propelled into stardom from his role in the cult-classic Marine film, Full Metal Jacket.  Ever since then R. Lee Ermey personified Marines in film and television.  Ermey is affectionately known by his fellow Marines as “The Gunny.”

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15 Famous Marines in the Spotlight

Business Moguls

Glen Bell

Glen Bell served in the Marine Corps during WWII.  He EAS’d during 1946 at the age of 23.  He went on to found the Taco Bell fast-food chain.  Numbers taken during June, 2014 show 5,604 Taco Bells in the United States alone.  Taco Bell continues to this day to dominate fast-food to this day.

Bob Parsons

Bob Parsons is the CEO and founder of GoDaddy.  However, Bob Parsons has an incredible military past.  Parsons served as a Rifleman in “Delta” Company, 26th Marines, 1st MARDIV.  He was awarded a Combat Action Ribbon, the Vietnam Gallantry Cross, and the Purple Heart.  Bob Parsons to this day attributes his success to his service in the Marine Corps by “making him a better person and giving him a sense of responsibility”

Tom Monaghan

Tom Monaghans entry into the Marine Corps was not as motivating as the rest before you.  He entered the Marine Corps on accident.  Monaghan was trying to enlist in the US Army.  Nonetheless, after his first enlistment he went on to found Domino’s Pizza in 1960.  Tom was also the owner of the Detroit Tigers from 1983 to 1992.

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15 Famous Marines in the Spotlight

Comedians 

Drew Carey

This Marine well known comedian starring in “Whose Line is it Anyway” and “The Price is Right.”   Drew Carey served in the Marine Corps Reserves from 1980-1986.  He EAS’d after six years as a Sergeant of Marines.  Drew Carey adopted his signature trademark look from the Marine Corps with the crew-cut and BCGs (Birth-Control Glasses).  To this day, Drew Carey is still in show business.

Bob Bell

Bob Bell played the well known children’s host Bozo the Clown.  Even to this day, Bozo the Clown is probably THE MOST recognizable name out of all clowns.  Bob Bell enlisted in the Marine Corps during World War II.  He did not have clear vision in his right eye, yet recognized the eye charts anyway to enlist.  He was medically discharged a year later in 1941.  Bob Bell went on to entertain children as Bozo the Clown for a total of 25 years.

Bob Keeshan

Another very well known children’s television host is Bob Keeshan, or Captain Kangaroo.  This actually pioneered children’s television with the popular Captain Kangaroo.  Bob Keeshan enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve during World War II.  However, he did not see any action as he was still in CONUS when Japan surrendered.

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15 Famous Marines in the Spotlight

Musicians

Nate Dogg

 

Nate Dogg worked as a Munitions Specialist in the Marine Corps before becoming a famous rapper.  He rose to stardom when he left the Marine Corps and started working with his cousin Snoop Dogg, who is also a famous rapper.  Nate Dogg and Warren G collaborated on the popular song “Regulate.”

Shaggy

Shaggy got his start as a Cannon-Cocker, or 0811.  He served during the Gulf War as an Artilleryman.  Shaggy was a Terminal Lance after he was busted down twice.  He perfected his singing voice in the Marine Corps however.   To this day has one of the most unique singing voices in the music industry.

George Jones

George Jones enlisted in the Marine Corps during the 1950’s.  He served during the Korean War.  However, he did not see combat and did his entire enlistment in California.  George Jones was a country superstar with a powerful voice.  Even Waylon Jennings sang in one of his verses “From the Beatles and me in Nashville, to the billies and the Rolling Stones
If we all sounded like we wanted to, we’d all sound like George Jones.”

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15 Famous Marines in the Spotlight

Politicians

John Glenn

John Glenn does not need an introduction to Marines.  His achievements are a part of Bootcamp curriculum.  John Glenn served as a Marine Corps pilot.  He flew combat missions in both WWII and the Korea.  John Glenn the volunteered as a test pilot.  In 1957 he set a record for fastest travel between Los Angeles to New York in 3 hours and 23 minutes.  His skill as a test pilot set him up for success as an astronaut.  While an astronaut at NASA, John Glenn made several trips in to outer space.  To this day he holds the record as the oldest man in space.  During 1998 he made the trip at the age of 77.  John Glenn’s career culminated with his entry into politics.  He was a Democratic Senator for Ohio, even running for President of the United States in 1983.

James Mattis

Another Marine that need no introduction is Secretary of Defense James Mattis.  James Mattis has gone through several aliases during his career.  He was known as “Mad-Dog” “The Warrior Monk” and “Chaos.”  The respect James Mattis receives from his fellow Marines comes from his success in Iraq.  Furthermore he commanded CENTCOM Theater (Central Command). Yet was later forced in to retirement by the last administration during the US draw down in Iraq.  However, this was to the General’s benefit.  Mad Dog was President Trump’s first pick to become this nation’s Secretary of Defense.  He was easily able to obtain the waiver he needed to serve.  General Mattis is well liked by both Democrats and Republicans.

Charles Bolden

 Charles Bolden served as a Marine Corps pilot.  He flew several combat missions over Vietnam.  Charles Bolden graduated from the US Naval Academy and became a test pilot.  After he graduated from the Naval Academy Bolden became an astronaut in 1980.  Charles Bolden retired from the Marine Corps in 2004.  He served as CG for 3rd MAW, I MEF, and US Forces Japan.  In 2009 Bolden was confirmed by the US Senate as the head of NASA, becoming the first African-American to hold the position.