John Wayne (May 26, 1907-June 11, 1979) born Marion Michael Morrison, was an Oscar winning actor. Of Presbyterian Scots-Irish descent, his grandfather, Marion Mitchell Morrison, fought in the Civil War.
John Wayne played football for U.S.C. and worked behind-the-scenes at Fox Studios, before being discovered by director John Ford, who cast him in epic western and war films.
A January 2011 Harris Poll ranked John Wayne third among America's favorite film stars.
On May 26, 1979, Jimmy Carter said:
<I have today approved...a specially struck gold medal to John Wayne.
For nearly half a century, the Duke has symbolized the American ideals of integrity, courage, patriotism, and strength and has represented to the world many of the deepest values that this Nation respects.> 1907JW001
Ronald Reagan said November 5, 1984:
<I noted the news coverage about the death of my friend, John Wayne. One headline read 'The Last American Hero.'...
No one would be angrier than Duke Wayne at the suggestion that he was America's last hero.
Just before he died, he said in his unforgettable way, 'Just give the American people a good cause, and there's nothing they can't lick.'> 1907JW002
In his album, America-Why I Love Her, 1977, John Wayne stated:
<If we want to keep these freedoms, we may have to fight again. God forbid, but if we do, let's always fight to win...Face the flag, son...and thank God it's still there.> 1907JW003
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American Quotations by William J. Federer, 2024, All Rights Reserved, Permission granted to use with acknowledgement.
1907JW001. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). John Wayne. Quote from Jimmy Carter, May 26, 1979.
1907JW002. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). John Wayne. Quote from Ronald Reagan, November 5, 1984.
1907JW003. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). John Wayne, 1977, in his album, America-Why I Love Her.