More Color Me Purple: Winners of the Purple Heart Quiz

Answer: Charles Bronson

Charles Bronson served in the Armed Forces from 1943 to 1946. He began as a truck driver in the US Army before switching to the US Army Air Corps serving in several roles including with the 39th Bombardment Group. He flew in 25 missions and received the Purple Heart for wounds received in combat. He received several other citations including the Expert Marksman and Sharp Shooter medals.

Charles Bronson (1921-2003) appeared in "The Great Escape" (1963) as Danny Velinski, the "Tunnel King", and in "The Dirty Dozen" (1967) as Joseph Wladislaw. In real life, Charles Bronson actually worked as a coal miner for several years.

Answer: Lee Marvin

Enlisting at the age of 18, Lee Marvin, served in the US Marine Corps from 1942 to 1945, serving in the 4th Marine Division. While fighting in the 1944 Battle of Saipan, machine gun fire struck his sciatic nerve, severing it. After being sent stateside to recuperate, he was eventually honorably discharged.

Lee Marvin portrayed Major Reisman in the World War Two film "The Dirty Dozen" (1967). He also won an Academy Award for his twin role in the 1965 western "Cat Ballou".

Answer: Russell Johnson

Russell Johnson served in the US Army Air Corps from 1943 to 1945. He flew 44 combat missions in the Pacific Theater. In his final mission, the B-25 bomber that he was on was attacked by anti-aircraft fire and forced to emergency land. The force of the landing causes both of his ankles to break. He also served in the US Air Force Reserve after World War Two.

Russell Johnson (1924-2014) may be best known for his role as Professor Roy Hinkley on the television series "Gilligan's Island" (1964-1967). He also played recurring roles on the westerns "Laramie" (1959-1963) and "Black Saddle" (1959-1960).

Answer: Al Matthews

Al Matthews served in US Marine Corps from 1966 to 1972 with the 1st Marine Division. He received two Purple Hearts while serving in Vietnam. He also received several other decorations.

Al Matthews (1942-2018) portrayed Gunnery Sergeant Apone in "Aliens" (1986). He also appeared in several other films and recorded the song "Fool" in 1975, which reached Number 16 on the UK singles chart.

Answer: James Arness

James Arness had hoped to serve as a naval fighter pilot during World War Two. However, his height of 6 feet, 7 inches was greater than the limit for pilots at that time (6 feet, 2 inches). He instead was trained as a rifleman for the Army. He served in Italy where he was severely wounded in his right leg during the Battle of Anzio in January 1944. He was hospitalized and then honorably discharged the next year. While the pain flared up at other times, being on horseback was one of the activities that triggered it. In addition to the Purple Heart, James Arness was awarded other decorations for his service including the Bronze Star.

Actor James Arness (1923-2011) may have been best known for his role as Marshall Matt Dillon on the long-running television western "Gunsmoke" (1955-1975).

Answer: Charles Durning

Charles Dunning served in the US Army from 1943 to 1946 participated in the Normandy invasion. Durning's first Purple Heart was as a result of injuries received from a mine. His second was awarded after he was wounded during hand to hand combat with an enemy soldier. His third was the result of a chest wound which led to him being hospitalized for the remainder of the war and then honorably discharged. He was also the recipient of several other awards including a Bronze Star and a Silver Star.

In addition to appearing in "The Sting" (1973) and "To Be Or Not To Be" (1983), Charles Durning (1923-2012) appeared in numerous other movies and television programs. He won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas" (1982).

Answer: James Garner

James Garner's service actually began late in World War Two when he served in the US Merchant Marine. During the Korean Conflict, he served as a rifleman with the US Army. His first Purple Heart was awarded for a shrapnel wound caused by a mortar. His second Purple Heart (not awarded until 1983) was for a wound caused by friendly fire.

James Garner (1928-2014) played gambler Bret Maverick on the western "Maverick" (1957-1962) and Jim Rockford on the detective series "The Rockford Files" (1974-1980). In addition, he appeared in several movies including "The Great Escape" (1963).

Answer: Dan Blocker

Dan Blocker served as an infantry sergeant in the 45th Division, seeing combat time between December 1951 and August 1952. His unit saw action in several battles including Outpost Eerie and Pork Chop Hill. He was credited with saving the lives of some of his fellow soldiers. He would spend time time hospitalized while in Korea for wounds received in combat. He was also awarded several military decorations including the Korean Service Medal with two 3⁄16″ bronze campaign stars.

Dan Blocker (1928-1972) may have been most recognized for his role as middle son Eric "Hoss Cartwright" on the long-running western series "Bonanza" (1959-1973). Bonanza was set in the state of Nevada.

Answer: Telly Savalas

Telly Savalas served as a corporal in the US Army Medical Corps with the 4th Medical Training Regiment from 1941 to 1943. He was awarded the Purple Heart during his service after being injured in a car accident. Not many details are known as he did not speak much about his service.

Telly Savalas (1922-1994) may be best known for portraying the titular police detective in the television series "Kojak" (1973-1978). Like several other people in this quiz, he also appeared in "The Dirty Dozen", portraying evil Army prisoner Archer Maggot.

Answer: Donnie Dunagan

Donnie Dunagan would serve three tours of duty with the Marine Corps, where he received the Purple Heart on three separate occasions for wounds received in combat. He also received a Bronze Star for his service. As a young child actor, he voiced the title character in the 1941 film "Bambi", a fact which he was embarrassed to mention during his career in the service.

Donnie Dunagan (born 1934), in addition to playing roles in several other films as a child, actually made a career in the US Marine Corps (1952-1977), serving primarily as a drill instructor and retiring with the rank of major.