Wayne Morris February 17 1914 September 14 1959 born Bert DeWayne Morris in Los Angeles was an American film and television actor as well as a decorated World War II fighter ace He appeared in many notable films including Paths of Glory 1957 The Bushwackers 1952 and the title role of Kid Galahad in 1937 While filming Flight Angels 1940 Morris became interested in flying and became a pilot With war in the wind he joined the Naval Reserve and became a Navy flier in 1942 leaving his film career behind for the duration of the war Flying the F6F Hellcat off the aircraft carrier USS Essex Morris shot down seven Japanese planes and contributed to the sinking of five ships He was awarded four Distinguished Flying Crosses and two Air Medals Morris was considered by the Navy as physically too big to fly fighters After being turned down several times as a fighter pilot he went to his brother in law Cdr David McCampbell imploring him for the chance to fly fighters Cdr McCampbell said Give me a letter He flew with the VF15 the famed McCampbell Heroes He married Patricia ORourke an Olympic swimmer and sister to Bmovie actress Peggy Stewart Following the war Morris returned to films but his nearly fouryear absence had cost him his burgeoning stardom He continued to act in movies but the pictures for the most part sank in quality Losing his boyish looks but not demeanor Morris spent most of the fifties in lowbudget westerns He made an unusual career move in 1957 making his Broadway debut as a washedup boxing champ in William Saroyans The Cave Dwellers He also appeared as a weakling in Stanley Kubricks Paths of Glory 1957 Morris suffered a massive heart attack while visiting aboard the aircraft carrier USS Bon Homme Richard in San Francisco Bay and was pronounced dead after being transported to Oakland Naval Hospital in Oakland California He was 45 He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery Description above from the Wikipedia article Wayne Morris American actor licensed under CCBYSA full list of contributors on Wikipedia
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