To "The Duke"...passed on June 11th,1979

It would not seem right to forget "The Duke" on this day.


Facts on John Wayne:

1. Born: Marion Robert Morrison
2. Birthplace: Winterset, Iowa on May 26th, 1907
3. Moved to California at age of 4. He grew to be 6'4" and wore a size 11 boot.
4. Applied for Naval Academy but not accepted. Went to USC to study pre-law.
5. Had a body surfing injury, lost his football scholarship, and dropped out of USC.
6. A movie director and studio exec. gave him his stage name "John Wayne". Wayne was not present for his stage name.
7. He did not know how to ride a horse until he started acting, stuntmen taught John Wayne to ride.
8. John Wayne was married and divorced 3 times. All three wives were Hispanic. He was also known for some "high-profile" affairs.
9. He was a Freemason.
10. He campaigned heavily for Richard M, Nixon
11. John Wayne smoked 5 packs of cigarettes a day...until 1964 when he was discovered with lung cancer...he then switched to tobacco and cigars.
12.He was 72 years of age when he passed and is buried at Pacific View Memorial Park in Newport Beach, California.
13. His favorite location for movies: Mexico
14. He once accidentally shot Ward Bond in real life.
15. John Wayne's dream movie: The Alamo
16. His last movie: The Shootist...in 1976
17. He reportedly converted to Roman Catholicism at his deathbed.

My favorite line of John Wayne: When he played "Rooster Cogburn" and yelled "Fill your hands you son-of-a-bitch!"

In his memory....