Great article about Lee Marvin's "Point Blank" 4" Model 29.

[Truckman]

Heck I am old enough to remember "M Squad" from the 50s. Recall Marvin shooting a revolver from the cover of a car in the beginning of the show.

I have all 115 episodes on DVD...Once in awhile I treat myself to a marathon......Ben

 

[outta_ammo]

Keeps showing up as a bad link between 3 computers.

Looks like the page has been taken down. We may have overwhelmed the server...

 

[Model19man]

Keeshan never saw combat, having enlisted too late to serve overseas. He and Marvin never served together. Marvin never said that. It's an old pre - internet rumor (remember mimeograph machines?) that made its way into the internet.

I remember Lee Marvin telling a story on the Johnny Carson Show. Carson, a WWII US Navy vet, was congratulating Lee Marvin on his USMC WWII service.

Marvin humbly downplayed the comment and told another story. ( sic) "Johnny, the bravest man I ever served with in combat was my platoon sargent, Sgt Bob Keeshan. He was awarded the Navy Cross. You folks may know him better by his stage name, "Captain Kangaroo."

=================================================

Military service
World War II
Picture of Private Lee Marvin, USMC, as listed in the "Red Book", 24th Regiment, 4th Marine Division, published in 1943

Marvin left school at 18 to enlist in the United States Marine Corps Reserve on August 12, 1942. He served with the 4th Marine Division in the Pacific Theater during World War II.[6] While serving as a member of "I" Company, 3rd Battalion, 24th Marines, 4th Marine Division, he was wounded in action on June 18, 1944, during the assault on Mount Tapochau in the Battle of Saipan, during which most of his company were casualties.[7] He was hit by machine gun fire, which severed his sciatic nerve,[8] and then was hit again in the foot by a sniper.[9] After over a year of medical treatment in naval hospitals, Marvin was given a medical discharge with the rank of private first class. He previously held the rank of corporal, but had been demoted for troublemaking.[9]

Marvin's decorations include the Purple Heart Medal, the Presidential Unit Citation, the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon.[10]
Medals and ribbons
Purple Heart
V
Navy Commendation Medal with V Device
Combat Action Ribbon.svg Combat Action Ribbon
Navy and Marine Presidential Unit Citation
American Campaign Medal ribbon and streamer American Campaign Medal
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal ribbon and streamer Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
Ribbon for World War II Victory Medal World War II Victory Medal

 

[Freelancer99]

My favorite Lee Marvin picture, from
The Big Red One.

 

[Miami_JBT]

The link in the OP goes nowhere.

 

[Zarr]

I have the first few seasons of Combat! on DVD. Lee Marvin had a guest role in an episode, where he played an explosives expert. In the bonus commentary, one of the actors from Combat! said that the other regulars watched/studied the way he moved from cover in several scenes. They soon adopted those moves, as well as the way he carried his M1. They loved working with him, and learned from him simply by watching him.

 

[Wyatt Burp]

Wouldn't hurt to ask!
I have not read it. His blog gives permission to quote any of his stuff for non-commercial use if credit is given.
Perhaps he would let us post it here.

I emailed him. I'll see what happens. I mentioned I had just shot my own 4" 29-2 a few weeks ago.

 

[Wyatt Burp]

Wouldn't hurt to ask!
I have not read it. His blog gives permission to quote any of his stuff for non-commercial use if credit is given.
Perhaps he would let us post it here.

I emailed the writer and got a response. Get this. He said "I took the story down because There were people who thought it was real (like me!). It was a short story I posted in my "fiction section", but people didn't seem to notice that part. I'm glad you liked it, though. Thanks".
I told him I really liked it and as far as believing it goes, speaking of Lee Marvin in Liberty Valance, "When the legend becomes fact, print the legend". I was had! But it sure was a good story.

 

[153]

Sometimes the truth does hurt.

You know I met John Wayne when I was 14 …