What famous person have you met while in the military?

2016-02-06T15:49:54-05:00

While in did you serve with or meet a famous person?

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Feb 6 at 2016 4:00 PM

2016-02-06T16:00:22-05:00

Two come to Mind. While stationed at CINCPACFLT Pearl Harbor, HI, ABC Wide World of Sports was doing the Super Teams Events and I think it was one of my teams from Kansas City, Chiefs or Royals but I decided to go down to Waikiki to watch. Somehow got stuck in a crowd of people and I couldn't move except in the direction the crowd moved Before I could say boo My Nose bounced off a Man Sternum and me being 6'5" that was weird. I looked up and said "Hello, Mr Russell" Bill Russell the Basketball Player stood looking down on me grinning. He was the Host/Announcer for the Event. The other one was when I reported to USS California CGN-36 had to drop off my Pay Record with the Disbo (Disbursing Officer) Looked in and this guys head was up in the Ventilation. OMG when he stooped down to take my Record I said "Hello Mr Robinson" Yes David Robinson the Basketball Player was my Disbursing Officer. Weird seeing people taller than me!

Response by LTC Yinon Weiss made Feb 6 at 2016 4:05 PM

2016-02-06T16:05:12-05:00

I've had the great fortune of meeting many incredible leaders over the past few years. I've enjoyed learning from them all in different ways.

Response by MAJ R. Andrew Hoskinson made Feb 6 at 2016 4:16 PM

2016-02-06T16:16:15-05:00

Peter Jennings of ABC News

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Feb 6 at 2016 4:38 PM

2016-02-06T16:38:47-05:00

I was lucky enough to meet Gen Gray when they were dedicating his library on Quantico.

I also had the chance to attend a Mail Call: Live event (R. Lee Ermy) and he tows along a lot of folks. He even had Richard Grieco from Jump Street with him.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Feb 6 at 2016 5:06 PM

2016-02-06T17:06:36-05:00

Gunny. I pretended to not know of him which frustrated him.

Response by 1SG David Niles made Feb 6 at 2016 5:17 PM

2016-02-06T17:17:19-05:00

Willie Nelson and Robin Williams

Response by SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA made Feb 6 at 2016 5:48 PM

2016-02-06T17:48:37-05:00

Glen Coffee, former running back for the 49ers, was in my company at Bragg.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Feb 6 at 2016 5:56 PM

2016-02-06T17:56:21-05:00

Gen. James Doolittle and his Raiders had a reunion at Eglin AFB when I was serving there. I was in the the Officers' Beach Club when they were celebrating there, but as a LT, I kept a respectful distance and just listened.

I also met and talked with BG Paul Tibbits and Maj "Dutch" Van Kirk after I was out of the service.

Giants of an earlier time.

Response by SP5 Mark Kuzinski made Feb 6 at 2016 6:32 PM

2016-02-06T18:32:36-05:00

Robert Mitchum

Response by PO1 Brian Austin made Feb 6 at 2016 6:34 PM

2016-02-06T18:34:14-05:00

Sorta famous, while returning from a Japan TAD met Bill Goldberg the pro wrestler while waiting for my flight from SF to SD (he lives in Fallbrook). He was really nice, asked about the Navy. In SD at the baggage claim he shook my two son's hands and gave them autographs. My youngest son was speechless...lol

While i was a contractor i met Oliver North while standing in line at a porta john in Kuwait. We were on the same flight to Baghdad. He was with a Fox News team. He looks kinda of tall in that iconic photo from the Iran/Contra hearings, but he's actually pretty short, 5'7/5'8. He was really nice, took some photos and offered me some beef jerky.

Response by 1stSgt Eugene Harless made Feb 6 at 2016 7:33 PM

2016-02-06T19:33:08-05:00

Met R Lee Ermy a few times. One time he was taking two of his friends around MCRD San Diego, no announced visit, also ran into him at the SNCO/Officer Club during DI dinner night. He had just stopped by. Down top Earth Guy.

Response by 1stSgt Eugene Harless made Feb 6 at 2016 7:34 PM

2016-02-06T19:34:05-05:00

So yes, I was Old Corps....

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Feb 6 at 2016 8:32 PM

2016-02-06T20:32:03-05:00

A1C Private RallyPoint Member Bob Hope at a military ball. Where is that photo? I haven't seen it for a while. A photographer told me he wasn't allowed to take a 'personal' photo of Hope and me. Later, I did receive several 8x10s of myself w/ a famous person.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 6 at 2016 8:50 PM

2016-02-06T20:50:58-05:00

Arnold Schwarzeneger back in 2001 while deployed to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Feb 6 at 2016 9:16 PM

2016-02-06T21:16:03-05:00

I had the chance to spend an evening talking hunting with Stone Cold (Steve Austin). Really nice guy.

Response by SFC William Farrell made Feb 6 at 2016 9:28 PM

2016-02-06T21:28:37-05:00

A1C Private RallyPoint Member While on active duty, Ive met two Medal of Honor recipients, SSG Nicky Bacon while we were both at Fort Hood and the other name escapes me but he was a Lieutenant, also at Hood. I have the pleasure of calling SGM Brendan O'Connor, Distinguished Service Cross in Afghanistan my good friend. I also counted General Petreaus a friend when he suddenly stopped emailing me. I wonder why! LOL I still have a lot of respect for the man.

Response by SFC John Birks made Feb 6 at 2016 11:01 PM

2016-02-06T23:01:40-05:00

I had the distinct honor to meet CPT Alan Bean, Apollo 12. He saw a program on the History Channel about the M1 tank and wanted to check one out. Long story short, I get notified 10 minutes before that a VIP wants to check out a tank. Spent an entire afternoon with him going over every little thing in, on, and around the tank. What an amazing man!

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2016 12:38 AM

2016-02-07T00:38:16-05:00

Sinbad

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Feb 7 at 2016 12:51 AM

2016-02-07T00:51:56-05:00

My most memorable was "The Duke", actually three times. First as a kid when my Mom ran him over with a shopping cart, second as an enlisted while he was getting fitted for glasses by a reserve buddy I was picking up, and third when he came out to the Seabee Museum not long before his passing. Always bigger than life.....

While I was earning money for college by going to war for summer vacations, I worked as a nurses aide at Motion Picture Hospital. I took care of a Stooge, two Tarzans, Tonto, and Bud Abbott. Took care of Ann Margret's dad at Canoga Terrace. Called her the big "B" word when she was playing head games with her terminally ill dad.

Did spend a little time with Ralph Nader (the more you know him the more you'd never vote for him), Ollie North who was always about Ollie, and Sly briefly a couple of times. Shocked that he remembered me after 20+ years. I did meet Ike when I was a kid after he left office.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Feb 7 at 2016 1:16 AM

2016-02-07T01:16:13-05:00

Let's see... You decide... George Bush (x2), Bill Clinton, LT Dan (Gary Sinese), MAJ Dad (Gerald McRaney), Clint Black, Keni Thomas, Tony Schumacher, Daryl Worley, Shawn Michaels, Brian Leetch, Charlie Daniels, Tobi Keith, Sammy L. Davis, Leroy Petry, Miranda Lambert... Several CSAs and SEC Armies...

Charlie Daniels was the best one, in my view!

I am sure there are more, I missed.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2016 1:29 AM

2016-02-07T01:29:03-05:00

While at Joint Base Lewis-McChord healing from a broken ankle in Afghanistan, I met LT. Buck Compton, one of the real Band of Brothers at a book signing of his own bio. This was in the Spring of 2009. Nice man and his book
http://www.nww2m.com/2012/02/lt-lynn-d-buck-compton-dead-at-90/

LT. Lynn D. "Buck" Compton dead at 90 - The National WWII Museum Blog

Lynn D. “Buck” Compton, leader of the 2nd Platoon of Easy Company, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, died on February 26, 2012 at the age of 90. During World War II, Compton joined Easy Company in Aldbourne, England andentered combat with them during the invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944, parachutedinto Holland …

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2016 1:29 AM

2016-02-07T01:29:46-05:00

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Feb 9 at 2016 12:45 PM

2016-02-09T12:45:18-05:00

Martin Sheen
Ozzie Davis
Don Johnson
George Benson
Bob Hope
Lee Greenwood
Barbara Eden
Wayne Newton
Alex Trebek
L L Cool J
Z Z Top
Montel Williams
2006 Eagles Football Team
The Honorable William Cohen
President Bill Clinton
Hillary Clinton
Sylvester Stallone
These are all that I can think of

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Feb 9 at 2016 12:46 PM

2016-02-09T12:46:56-05:00

Former Fed chair Ben Bernanke...obviously it wasn't a USO Tour!

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Feb 9 at 2016 2:22 PM

2016-02-09T14:22:21-05:00

Having gone to school at USF, my ROTC battalion regularly volunteered for GEN Schwarzkopf's annual Sporting Clays event. We pulled trap and did a lot of other volunteer work at the event. I also met GEN Krulak at an event at MacDill. Biggest kick though was meeting Drew Carey and his crew during OIF1. His USO show made it a point to come out to Al Asad when they were in country. His was the only major show to make it out to us. Got this photo with Drew. Also got a photo with Kathy Kinney (Mimi) and Black Clarke (Farmer Fran). What was cool was Blake was an infantry platoon leader in Vietnam, so he had some special heartfelt words of encouragement for the troops.

Response by SSgt Brad Ball made Feb 9 at 2016 2:30 PM

2016-02-09T14:30:55-05:00

I was stationed at Grand Forks AFB ND. We took a road trip to the Twin Cities hoping to be able to watch the Vikings And Cowboys play on January 3,1982. We did not have tickets. We were trying to buy some from a scalper when this nice limo rolls up and asked if we were in the military. It was Howard Cosell the voice of Monday night football back then. He offered us tickets at a very discounted price. On the 50 yrd line. Made my day.

Response by SGT William Howell made Feb 9 at 2016 2:54 PM

2016-02-09T14:54:05-05:00

Being a MP I have worked security for a lot of concerts and events. One of the best gigs was the Kentucky Derby. I was working one of the bars on Millionaire's Row. While I was in there Kid Rock walked up to me and shook my hand and thanked me for my service. He was not what I would expect. He was the same height as me, 6'3" he was muscular, but most he was such a nice guy. We were chatting away when Tera Reed, drunk as a monkey came up and started chatting with us. Then Cuba Gooding Jr joined in. I was start struck, but it was fun.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2016 7:29 PM

2016-02-09T19:29:24-05:00

Ollie North
Ted Nugent
R Lee Emery
Bob Hope
Johnny Bench
Barry Pepper(sniper from Saving Private Ryan)
Lee Greenwood
Donald Trump
Greg Biffle
Dale Earnhardt
Dale Earnhardt Jr
Jeff Fischer(former TN Titans head coach)
Charlie Daniels
.38 Special
Sammy L Davis (MOH receipient)

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 12 at 2016 1:25 AM

2016-09-12T01:25:45-04:00

The Clinton Family while I was in Bosnia-Herzegovina, back in 1997. The moment I saw Bill Clinton I knew he was a cheat, the man was super charismatic and very handsome, I knew right there he could have any girl just by sheer presence.

Response by SCPO Jason McLaughlin made Oct 26 at 2016 6:06 AM

2016-10-26T06:06:11-04:00

Sitting on the couch is (From left to right.):

Doug Cernan (the last men to walk on the moon)
Neil Armstrong (the first man to walk on the moon)
Jim Lovell (the Apollo 13 commander who was played by Tom Hanks in the movie)