John Wayne loss of life – The three US presidents who honoured Duke in touching means
John Wayne suffered years of sick well being throughout his closing couple of many years. The heavy-drinking and smoking star had a lung and a few ribs eliminated in 1964 as a consequence of a most cancers prognosis.
During his final years, Duke struggled by means of his extra bodily difficult roles, secretly counting on an oxygen masks and even being hospitalised on his final film The Shootist.
Yet by early 1979, he was dying from abdomen most cancers and wore a wetsuit beneath his tuxedo on the Oscars in his final public look.
Just weeks earlier than his loss of life on June 11, 1979, fellow Hollywood legends banded collectively – together with these against his conservative political opinions – in a placing displaying of wonderful kindness.
READ MORE: John Wayne wore wet suit under tuxedo at last public appearance before death
On Wayne’s 72nd birthday on May 26, 1979, he was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal after Hollywood stars, each Republicans and Democrats, supported the award with statements praising Duke as an American icon and patriot.
This was particularly touching given the clashes the dying star had had with among the actors over time on film units. Although the wiser amongst them like Kirk Douglas knew by no means to talk politics with Wayne.
Those who shared statements in assist of the award included the latter, Frank Sinatra, Maureen O’Hara, Elizabeth Taylor and James Arness. He additionally obtained tributes from a few US presidents, plus a posthumous awards from one other.
Former President Gerald Ford wrote: “John Wayne’s contribution to this Nation has reached far beyond the entertainment industry where he is deeply respected and admired. His untiring efforts to improve conditions within our country and relations with other countries have made him a legend in his own lifetime. Striking a gold medal in his honor is a well-deserved and appropriate tribute. I urge the House to concur with the Senate and pass the special bill to authorize this medal.”
And future President Ronald Reagan stated: “I can simply say that there is no one in America I can think of more deserving of the special honor you are now considering than John Wayne. There is no one who exemplifies the devotion to our country, its goodness, its industry and its strengths better than John Wayne. Duke Wayne’s service to our country, not only in his chosen profession, but as a public servant in the truest sense of the term, certainly qualifies him for this honor. It will be a tribute not only to John Wayne, the man, but also to those high standards and ideals to which he is dedicated.”
Wayne was additionally posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom on June 9, 1980 by President Jimmy Carter.