Most at or near my age (late 70s) on here will recognize the comedian. Few, however, will know this about his earlier life. I certainly did not. From the article:

Don Adams, the American comic actor and comedian who gained worldwide fame and three Emmy Awards starring as Agent 86, Maxwell Smart, in the classic television comedy Get Smart joined the U.S. Marines in the early days of World War II. He saw combat in the invasion of Guadalcanal and was the only survivor of his platoon. He contracted blackwater fever and nearly died, remaining hospitalized for more than a year. After his recovery he served as a drill instructor.