MARVIN-LEE

Lee Marvin was born on February 19, 1924 in New York City where his father was a fashion writer and his mother an advertising executive.  As a youth, Marvin was dismissed from several schools because of his behavior.  His parents took him to Florida where he was enrolled at St. Leo’s Preparatory School near Dade City, but when he was dismissed there as well, Marvin at age 18 enlisted in the Marine Corp Reserve on August 12, 1942.  Following recruit training he was assigned to the 24^th Marines, 4^th Marine Division, and in this assignment reportedly took part in the invasions of 21 islands in the South Pacific.  He was reportedly a sniper and would be sent ashore during the night in a small rubber boat, prior to the rest of his platoon.  On June 18, 1944, during the assault on Mount Tapochau in the Battle of Saipan, during which most of his company was killed, Marvin was hit by machine gun fire which severed his sciatic nerve, was then hit again in the foot by a sniper, and he almost died from his injuries.  He spent thirteen months hospitalized and in therapy before being medically discharged in March 1945.  Historical records reflect he was discharged with the rank of Private First Class although he had earlier been a Corporal but had been demoted after causing trouble.

Following his medical discharge, Marvin obtained menial work as a plumber apprentice in Woodstock, New York.  While repairing a toilet at the local community theater, he was asked to replace an ailing actor in a rehearsal.  He was immediately stricken with a love for the theater and went to New York City where he studied and played small roles in stock and Off-Broadway theaters.  After a succession of small TV roles, Marvin moved to Hollywood in 1950 where he found work in supporting roles, and from the beginning was cast in various war films.  As a decorated combat veteran, Marvin was a natural in war dramas, where he frequently assisted the director and other actors in realistically portraying infantry movement, arranging costumes, and the use of firearms.  He gradually worked up from supporting roles until becoming a leading actor and he appeared in numerous movies until his last role in 1986.  Marvin liked to say that he learned to act while in the Marines during World War II, trying to act unafraid during ferocious combat.

In December 1986, Marvin was hospitalized for more than two weeks because of a serious illness.  On August 29, 1987, he died of a heart attack and was buried with military honors at Arlington National Cemetery where his grave marker carries the inscription:  PFC  -  US MARINE CORPS  -  WORLD WAR II.

Submitted by CDR Roy A. Mosteller, USNR (Ret)