List RulesVote up the famous veterans that you love and respect the most.
While all of our veterans should be beloved and respected, many have stuck in the public consciousness. Some became famous veterans because of their incredible accomplishments in war, and others because of their accomplishments in entertainment or business after their service. While some of the names on this list of famous US veterans are decorated heroes, and others were malcontents who couldn't stay out of military prison (looking at you, George Carlin), all are veterans that are now loved and respected by the public.
Veterans like bomber pilot and movie star Jimmy Stewart, are obviously iconic. Others, like former Marine Corps driver turned icon Bea Arthur, might be people you had no idea served in the military. Their accomplishments in uniform run the gamut, from the heroism of Audie Murphy to personally having a bounty put on them by Hitler (Clark Gable) to undistinguished stints that ended quickly. A few fought in World War II and became highly anti-authoritarian. There are even some baseball players who gave up years of their careers to put themselves in harms way in combat in both World Wars.
Vote up the American veterans you respect and revere the most, and vote down the ones who don't deserve the admiration they get from the public. From US Army veterans to World War 2 veterans, any famous and beloved veteran of the US armed forces deserves a spot on this list!1
1,094103George Washington
Dec. at 67 (1732-1799)Birthplace: Virginia, USA
How did we miss him? First in war, first in peace, first in the hearts of his countryman. And nobody can ever outrank him, thanks to an appropriate bill passed by Congress.George Washington was the first President of the United States, the Commander-in-Chief of the... more on Wikipedia2
1,378152Audie Murphy
Dec. at 46 (1925-1971)Birthplace: Kingston, Texas, USA
The most decorated soldier in American history. Later became a film actor.Audie Leon Murphy (20 June 1925 – 28 May 1971) was one of the most decorated American combat... more on Wikipedia3
1,01298Alvin C. York
Dec. at 77 (1887-1964)Birthplace: Pall Mall, Tennessee
Heroic World War I soldier who became famous after the war.Alvin Cullum York (December 13, 1887 – September 2, 1964), also known as Sergeant York, was... more on Wikipedia4
84785Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dec. at 79 (1890-1969)Birthplace: Denison, Texas, USA
Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower ( EYE-zən-how-ər; October 14, 1890 – March 28, 1969) was an... more on Wikipedia5
1,308173George S. Patton
Dec. at 60 (1885-1945)Birthplace: San Gabriel, California
Famous "blood and guts" general who led tank armies across Germany.George Smith Patton Jr. (November 11, 1885 – December 21, 1945) was a General of the United... more on Wikipedia6
1,119146Chesty Puller
Dec. at 73 (1898-1971)Birthplace: West Point, Virginia
The most decorated Marine in history, he fought in the Banana Wars, World War II, and Korea.Lewis Burwell "Chesty" Puller (June 26, 1898 – October 11, 1971) was a United States Marine... more on Wikipedia7
1,089144James Stewart
Dec. at 89 (1908-1997)Birthplace: Indiana, Pennsylvania, United States of America
Enlisted as a private, flew combat missions in World War II and retired a two-star general.James Maitland Stewart (May 20, 1908 – July 2, 1997) was an American actor and military... more on Wikipedia8
906116Jimmy Doolittle
Dec. at 97 (1896-1993)Birthplace: Alameda, California
Army Air Force General who led the first bombing raid against Japan in World War II.James Harold Doolittle (December 14, 1896 – September 27, 1993) was an American General and... more on Wikipedia9
71280John Basilone
Dec. at 29 (1916-1945)Birthplace: Buffalo, New York
John Basilone (November 4, 1916 – February 19, 1945) was a United States Marine Corps Gunnery... more on Wikipedia10
61263Chester W. Nimitz
Dec. at 81 (1885-1966)Birthplace: Fredericksburg, Texas, United States of America
Chester William Nimitz, Sr. (; February 24, 1885 – February 20, 1966) was a fleet admiral of... more on Wikipedia11
961149Theodore Roosevelt
Dec. at 61 (1858-1919)Birthplace: Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA
The future president led a charge up San Juan Hill in Cuba in the Spanish-American War.Theodore Roosevelt Jr. ( ROH-zə-velt; October 27, 1858 – January 6, 1919) was an American... more on Wikipedia12
66184Eddie Rickenbacker
Dec. at 83 (1890-1973)Birthplace: Columbus, Ohio
World War I American fighter ace and aviation pioneer.Edward Vernon Rickenbacker (October 8, 1890 – July 23, 1973) was an American fighter ace in... more on Wikipedia13
770114Ted Williams
Dec. at 84 (1918-2002)Birthplace: San Diego, California, United States of America
Gave up four years of his baseball career to serve as a Naval aviator.Theodore Samuel "Ted" Williams was an American Major League Baseball left fielder, and later... more on Wikipedia14
855135Lee Marvin
Dec. at 63 (1924-1987)Birthplace: New York City, New York, United States of America
The tough guy actor fought with the Marines at Saipan, and was badly wounded.Lee Marvin (February 19, 1924 – August 29, 1987) was an American film and television... more on Wikipedia15
976168Pat Tillman
Age: Died at 28 (1976-2004)Birthplace: Fremont, California
Left the NFL to join the Army Rangers. Was killed in action in Afghanistan.Patrick Daniel Tillman (November 6, 1976 – April 22, 2004) was an American football player in... more on Wikipedia16
804143Norman Schwarzkopf, Jr.
Dec. at 78 (1934-2012)Birthplace: Trenton, New Jersey, United States of America
Known as "Stormin' Norman," he masterminded the 100-hour ground phase of the Gulf War.Herbert Norman Schwarzkopf Jr. (; August 22, 1934 – December 27, 2012) was a United States... more on Wikipedia17
776140Chris Kyle
Dec. at 39 (1974-2013)Birthplace: Odessa, Texas
Christopher Scott "Chris" Kyle was a United States Navy SEAL and the most lethal sniper in... more on Wikipedia18
45354George Marshall
Dec. at 79 (1880-1959)Birthplace: Uniontown, Pennsylvania, USA
George Catlett Marshall Jr. (December 31, 1880 – October 16, 1959) was an American soldier and... more on Wikipedia19
644110Yogi Berra
Age: 95Birthplace: The Hill, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
Interrupted his baseball career to serve in the Navy, and was wounded in the Normandy invasion.Lawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra (May 12, 1925 – September 22, 2015) was an American professional... more on Wikipedia20
50773Omar Bradley
Dec. at 88 (1893-1981)Birthplace: Clark, Missouri, United States of America
General of the Army Omar Nelson Bradley (February 12, 1893 – April 8, 1981) was a senior... more on Wikipedia21
34728Pappy Boyington
Dec. at 76 (1912-1988)Birthplace: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
Gregory "Pappy" Boyington (December 4, 1912 – January 11, 1988) was an American combat pilot... more on Wikipedia22
643115Ernest Borgnine
Dec. at 95 (1917-2012)Birthplace: Hamden, Connecticut, USA
Served nearly 10 years in the Navy, mostly in anti-submarine warfare.Ernest Borgnine (born January 24, 1917 – July 8, 2012) was an American actor whose career... more on Wikipedia23
44460John J. Pershing
Dec. at 88 (1860-1948)Birthplace: Laclede, Missouri
General of the Armies John Joseph "Black Jack" Pershing (September 13, 1860 – July 15, 1948)... more on Wikipedia24
35435Ira Hayes
Dec. at 32 (1923-1955)Birthplace: Sacaton, Arizona
Ira Hamilton Hayes (January 12, 1923 – January 24, 1955) was a Pima Native American and a... more on Wikipedia25
44466William Halsey, Jr.
Dec. at 77 (1882-1959)Birthplace: Elizabeth, New Jersey
Fleet Admiral William Frederick Halsey Jr., KBE (October 30, 1882 – August 16, 1959), known as... more on Wikipedia