(Credits: Far Out / TCM)
Sun 28 December 2025 20:15, UK
Of all the various wars and international conflicts that the United States has engaged in over the course of the nation’s relatively short history, there aren’t many that John Wayne has not served in.
The only trouble being, of course, that his military service started and ended within the walls of Hollywood studios, as Wayne himself managed to evade military service in the real world.
There are, of course, a multitude of reasons why somebody might avoid military service, intentionally or otherwise. Conscientious objectors, those with health conditions, or people with jobs seen as ‘essential’ during wartime have all evaded the call-up in modern history, but for somebody like the rugged, outspoken, and unshakably patriotic John Wayne, you would be forgiven for assuming that he would be first in line at the recruiter’s office if a conflict ever kicked off.
In reality, though, Wayne has often been branded a ‘draft dodger’ in the wake of the fact that he never served in the military during World War II, even while many of his fellow actors and film industry comrades heeded the call-up. Although the idea of the all-American hero, John Wayne, being a draft dodger does tend to make for good headlines, it is not entirely accurate.
Back in 1941, when Japanese forces bombed Pearl Harbour, thus fast-tracking the United States to enter the global conflict, Wayne was not yet the defining star of Hollywood’s golden age, as he is often viewed in hindsight. In fact, the actor was still relatively fresh from his breakout role in 1939’s Stagecoach, so it isn’t as though he was forced to remain in Hollywood for the morale of the nation.
So, why did John Wayne avoid military service?
There are conflicting reports over exactly why Wayne avoided military service.
Some have suggested that the actor was worried that, by the time he returned post-war, the film industry would have forgotten about him and he would be too old to establish himself as a leading man. Meanwhile, biographer Marc Eliot claimed that Wayne had recently begun an affair with Marlene Dietrich, whom he couldn’t bear to lose.
Ultimately, though, the reason for Wayne’s lack of service during World War II might have been as simple as his age. He was, after all, 34 at the time the US entered the conflict, and deemed too old for any active combat roles. What’s more, his marriage to Josephine Sáenz and the children the couple had together meant that the actor was eligible for exemption from military service under a 3-A family deferment exemption.
Reportedly, though, Wayne was quite determined to serve in the conflict at various points. For instance, he repeatedly asked John Ford whether he could enlist in the forces, but to no avail. What’s more, there is even evidence that Wayne – albeit unsuccessfully – applied to join the Office of Strategic Services during wartime.
In the end, though, Republic Studios did not want to lose their starring actor and even threatened Wayne with legal action should he abandon his post to join the military. So, the western hero stayed put in Hollywood and, by the time the war came to a close, he was among the most iconic actors in the industry.
Seemingly, Wayne’s failure to serve in World War II remained a source of guilt and shame throughout the rest of his life, which might explain some of his more misguided projects – The Green Berets being one example – as being a kind of over-compensation.
There are many, many things that you can (and should) criticise John Wayne for, stretching from his countless utterly unwatchable projects to his outspoken and unapologetic belief in white supremacy, but his lack of military service is not wholly deserving of the criticism it routinely attracts.
While there is certainly a degree of hypocrisy about somebody as uber-patriotic and macho as Wayne failing to serve when his nation needed him, it does appear as though he at least attempted to enlist or aid the war effort in one way or another. A racist, bigoted, outdated, white supremacist he may be, but he can’t be considered a draft dodger.
Related Topics
The Far Out John Wayne Newsletter
All the latest stories about John Wayne from the independent voice of culture.
Straight to your inbox.
