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Top 100 1996

Charles Durning

Actor and War Hero 

Charles Durning, a familiar face to millions of fans of the hit TV series Evening Shade, is extremely lucky to be alive. 

The decorated was hero was stabbed eight times with a bayonet in Belgium, and recovered, only to be shot in the chest in the Battle of the Bulge, an event which put paid to his heroics in World War II. 

The accomplished character actor only spoke publicly about his war time experiences during the 50th anniversary of D-Day in 1994, when he appeared on several related television specials. He was among the first US soldiers to land on Omaha beach in Normandy, and became the only man in his unit to survive a machine-gun ambush. Charles Durning earned three Purple Hearts and a Silver Star for his courage during the War. 

His career took a dramatic turn once he left the military and begin acting on television. Durning has also hosted several TV shows, including the PBS National Memorial Day Concert in 1995.

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