Famous People You Didn't Know Served In Vietnam

Vietnam's Famous Heroes

When the Vietnam War began in 1955, nobody could have foreseen the 20 years it would take before peace was achieved. Some of the nation's most famous people served in the Vietnam War, as the Draft Lottery was implemented and all were called to serve. Let's look at the famous people you probably know, but you might not have known were soldiers during the Vietnam War.

Rss Thumb - Celebrities In Vietnam

Roger Staubach

Roger Staubach was one of the Dallas Cowboys' greatest quarterbacks and a Vietnam War veteran. After attending the United States Naval Academy and playing football for the Navy Midshipmen (winning a Heisman trophy), he graduated from the Academy in 1965. He volunteered for a one-year tour of duty in South Vietnam.

Roger Staubach in the East Room at the White House The White House, Wikimedia Commons

Al Gore

Al Gore is one of the lesser-known American politicians to serve in Vietnam. Gore initially opposed the war but felt the calling to serve his country before entering politics and enlisted. He served one tour in Vietnam for seven months in 1971.

Al Gore with the 20th Engineer Brigade in Biên Hòa AmericanCentury21, Wikimedia Commons

John Kerry

America's highest-ranking government official to serve in Vietnam was John Kerry, becoming the Secretary of State during the Obama administration. But before he entered politics in 1970, Kerry was a Naval Reservist and signed up for a tour of duty in South Vietnam as the commander of a Fast Patrol Craft, or "swift boat," which was basically a glorified Zodiac. Kerry later said in his book that he "didn't really want to get involved in the war".

John Kerry during his campaign City of Boston Archives, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Pat Sajak

Pat Sajak may be one of the best game show hosts in American history, hosting Wheel Of Fortune (1981) from its inception on American television in 1981 till 2024. But prior to becoming a TV personality and game show host, Sajak served as a disc jockey in the Vietnam War, serving in the US Army's American Forces For Vietnam Network. He shared the stage with the infamous Adrian Cronauer, of Good Morning, Vietnam! (1987).

Pat Sajak looking away from the camera smata2, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Dennis Franz

Actor Dennis Franz, of Die Hard (1988) and NYPD Blue (1993), served with the 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam—one of America's most famous military units during the conflict. He also spent time in another famous airborne division, the 82nd, during his 11-month overseas deployment. He later called his time in the US Army a "traumatic and life-changing experience".

Dennis Franz wearing black shirt Sergei ~ 5of7, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Steve Kroft

American journalist for NBC News, Steve Kroft, started his career in journalism in the US Army. After graduating from university in 1967, he enlisted and served in the 25th Infantry Division in Cu Chi for the Armed Forces Network. He won a Bronze Star for Meritorious Service and was honorably discharged in 1971.

Steve Kroft at the 69th Annual Peabody Awards Peabody Awards, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

John McCain

Perhaps the most famous Vietnam War veteran of all, John McCain's service to his country was almost unparalleled among his political compatriots—he narrowly escaped a burning ship in 1967 and was shot down over Hanoi later that year. He spent six years as a prisoner of war, enduring torture at the hands of his captors. He refused an early release from the Navy following his release from captivity. He continued serving until 1981, retiring as a Captain.

John McCain wearing a uniform US Navy, Wikimedia Commons

Colin Powell

Another famous politician to serve in Vietnam was Colin Powell, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during the Bush administration and a champion of the Iraq War. Joining the Reserve Officer Training Corps while at City College in New York, Powell served two tours in Vietnam: the first as an advisor to the South Vietnamese Army from 1962-1963, and then as a Major in 1968. He survived a helicopter crash and single-handedly rescued three of his men during this tour, earning him the Soldier's Medal for bravery.

United States Army General Colin Powell Russell Roederer, Wikimedia Commons

Oliver Stone

Oliver Stone was clearly affected by what he saw in Vietnam. The one-time US Army soldier has since directed three films about the Vietnam War, but was once serving on the frontlines of it. Stone was in combat in 1967 after enlisting and narrowly avoided death by jumping in a foxhole after the US Air Force dropped a 500-pound bomb near his platoon.

Oliver Stone looking at the camera nicolas genin, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Jesse Ventura

One of the Vietnam War's most outspoken critics after he was deployed there, one-time Governor Jesse Ventura spent time in the elite Navy SEALs as part of the Underwater Demolition Unit, SEAL Team 12. He served for six years in the Navy, but did not see active duty in Vietnam. He would go on to become a professional wrestler from 1975 to 1991 before entering politics.

Former Governor Jesse Ventura speaking with supporters of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Richard Chaves

Another actor from Predator (1987) to serve in Vietnam was Richard Chaves. He played "Poncho" in the movie, but in real life, he'd spent three years in the 196th Infantry Brigade, serving from 1970 to 1973.

Actors Frances Fisher, Jane Seymour, and Richard Chaves at a party Raftcitizen, Wikimedia Commons

James Avery

Avery is best known for his role as Phillip Banks in The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air (1990). He enlisted in the military after graduating from high school and served in the Vietnam War from 1968-1969.

James Avery on the red carpet at the Heroes and Legends Awards Brencoombs, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Harris Haywood

Harris Haywood was an incredible racing driver, winning multiple 24 Hours At Daytona races and three 24 Hours At Le Mans races. But before he got behind the wheel of a race car, he was drafted in 1970 and deployed with the 164th Aviation Group out of Saigon. He says his service helped him become a better driver.

Harris Haywood in racing suit Terrance Bell, Wikimedia Commons

Richard Kline

One of the stars of Three's Company (1977), Richard Kline would first achieve educational excellence by receiving his Master of Fine Arts from Northwestern University before enlisting in Vietnam. In an interview about his time there, Kline recalled being struck by lightning while under an airplane wing.

Actor Richard Kline at the New York Comic Convention in Manhattan Luigi Novi, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Dale Dye

Dale Dye was a career military man before he came to Hollywood. Participating in 31 combat missions during his time in Vietnam, Dye was part of the infamous Tet Offensive throughout 1968. After he retired, he appeared in Saving Private Ryan (1998) and Band Of Brothers (2001).

Retired Capt. Dale Dye, a decorated Marine veteran of the Vietnam War Ethan E. Rocke, Wikimedia Commons

Tom Selleck

You might not have known that Commissioner Reagan from Blue Bloods (2010) was a Vietnam War veteran. Despite avoiding overseas service in 'Nam, he was drafted and did spend time with the California National Guard. Today, he's a spokesperson for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund.

Actor Tom Selleck at the New York PaleyFest 2014 Dominick D, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Desmond Wilson

If you've watched the classic sitcom from the early 1970s, Sanford and Son (1972), then you've seen Desmond Wilson play Lamont Sanford. But some six years prior to Sanford and Son's success, Wilson was serving in the US Army in Vietnam. He was wounded in combat and honorably discharged with a rank of Sergeant.

Wilson as Lamont Sanford Robert Garner Attractions, Wikimedia Commons

John Prine

John Prine is one of America's most legendary country music artists, but did you know that he was also a soldier? While he never saw overseas combat, he was drafted into the Army during the war and served as an engineer and vehicle mechanic stationed in Germany. His time in the Army led him to write "Sam Stone".

John Prine in a suit performing on stage Yellowstone National Park, Wikimedia Commons

Wes Studi

Now 77, Wes Studi is most famous for his portrayals of Native Americans—as a Native American himself. But before he was acting and producing, Studi spent time in the Oklahoma National Guard and was subsequently deployed to Vietnam for 12 months with two infantry divisions.

Wes Studi visiting with Gavin Newsom on Native American Day Office of the California Governor, Wikimedia Commons

Rocky Bleier

Another football player to trade in his boots for a rifle was Rocky Bleier. After winning a National Championship in football with the Fighting Irish in 1966 and signing a contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Bleier would be drafted into the US Army during his rookie season. While on tour in Vietnam, he sustained serious leg injuries following a grenade explosion, which earned him a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star.

Rocky Bleier, Vietnam Veteran and Super Bowl Champion Jim Greenhill, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

R Lee Ermey

Ronald Lee Emery is a soldier's soldier. He enlisted in the US Marine Corps in 1961 at the age of 17, serving as a drill instructor from 1965 to 1967, before being deployed to Vietnam in 1968. He spent 14 months in Vietnam. Today, he's most famous for his role as Gunney Sergeant Hartman in Full Metal Jacket (1987).

Retired Marine and actor R. Lee Ermey talks to the 7th Communication Battalion Sergeant Major Zachary B, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Nebraska Governor Bob Kerrey's Vietnam Scandal

Bob Kerrey was once the Governor of Nebraska and is a Vietnam War veteran. But his time in Vietnam was less than honorable. Revealed in 2001 by The New York Times, Governor Bob Kerrey's unit was sent to recon the peasant village of Thanh Phong. Thanh Phong was in a free-fire zone—that is, an area of the battlefield where any person occupying the area is deemed to be an enemy combatant.

While there, Kerrey's team encountered villagers' huts and were allegedly shot at, only to return fire and learn afterward that there were children present, some as young as 14. "I was expecting to find Viet Cong soldiers with weapons, instead I found women and children," he later recalled. He received a Bronze Star for his actions that day, after his unit falsely reported the dead as enemy combatants, rather than civilians.