Durning’s First Role Was As A Combat Infantryman In World War II

By JIM PURCELL

Millenials, for the most part, do not know who Charles E.Durning (1923-2012) is. For those of us who are a little older, he was a well-known character actor, who was featured in films such as “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” (1982) and “Tootsie” (1982), among a long list of others.

The late actor Charles Durning

   Durning was born in Highland Falls, New York, the son of an Irish immigrant and a laundress. He has been nominated for several awards for his acting, including a Golden Globe and an Emmy. But, before all of that, he earned harder awards: a Combat Infantryman’s Badge, the Silver Star, the Bronze Star and three Purple Hearts for his service during World War II with the 1^st infantry Division.

   He was 17 when he became a United States Army infantryman.

   Like so many others, Durning was a soldier during World War II. He saw action in Europe and was one of those brave souls who liberated France during the Normandy Landings on June 6, 1944. His unit landed on Omaha Beach, and he was the only one left alive from his squad by the time his company moved off that beach.

PFC Charles Durning

   Durning rarely spoke of his military service during his theatrical career, which began in 1945 and concluded shortly before his passing.

   It was The Washington Post that recounted Durning had to kill seven German soldiers during Normandy. He suffered machine gun wounds to his right leg and shrapnel wounds all over his body.  After he recovered from those wounds, he was stabbed eight times with a bayonet by a young German soldier, who he had to kill with a rock.

   After PFC Durning survived the bayonet attack, he recovered and again went to the front. This time, during the Battle of the Bulge (Dec. 1944-Jan. 1945), when he was captured and was among those U.S. soldiers who were to be massacred by Nazi fanatics at Malmedy. He even survived that, and assisted U.S. Forces in identifying those who fell. However, Durning was wounded one last time during the massacre, with a bullet to his chest.

   Then, his wartime service with the Army ended.

   Following his service, Durning was hospitalized for four years, and admitted that there was a 10-year period afterward where he worked hard to recover from his combat experiences.

  In an interview with the Washington Post, Durning said, “It’s your mind that’s hard to heal. There are many horrifying secrets in the depths of our souls that we don’t want anyone to know about.” 

   It was not until Durning had left the Army that he found out his brother had also taken part in the Normandy Invasion, as a sailor in the U.S. Navy.

   To put it in perspective, the Normandy Landings were the largest in the history of warfare. Allied forces from the United States, Great Britain, Canada and France landed on beaches, designated “Sword,” “Juno,” “Gold,” “Utah” and “Omaha.” Largely, the landings were opposed by German Army units, and frequently battles were pitched and lasted hours.

The Purple Heart Medal

   One hundred and fifty-six thousand Allied soldiers took part in the initial landings. By the time the Allies left the beaches of Northern France, though, 425,000 Allied and German soldiers were killed, wounded or went missing.

   Durning was there.

   Now, Durning forever resides at Arlinlgton National Cemetery, where he rejoins his comrades of so long ago in well-deserved rest. He left behind three children and more than 110 movies he was featured in.

   Durning was part of “The Greatest Generation,” that crop of Americans who quietly went about the business of saving the world then, in an unassuming manner, went about living the rest of their lives. 

Charles Durning’s legacy is not merely a cinematic one. During a day and a time when serving brought the real prospect of being killed, he did his part – and then some.  It can be said that Charles Durning’s most lasting performance was that of an American patriot who served when called and gave his all to the terrible work of World War II.