Talk:List of U.S. Marines

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There are a number of well-known individuals who are rumored to have served in the Marine Corps. Before adding new names to the list, consider checking out this site:

— ERcheck (talk) 00:25, 21 October 2007 (UTC)

Contents

[edit] Keith James McDonald - not verified

  • This name has been posted by an anon IP. Have not been able to verify. One date initially posted by anon IP was 1991. Records show that only two Marines received the Navy Cross in the appropriate time period - McDonald was not one of them. Consequently, I deleted the entry (see edit note). The same anon IP again reposted the name today. I requested via User talk for verification. A good reference for Navy Cross recipients is Home of Heroes, which admittedly is incomplete. However, Keith James McDonald is not on the list. I am deleting again. — ERcheck @ 18:19, 28 December 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Thomas, Erlene

Erlene Thomas


Chief Warrant Officer 2 Erlene A. Thomas joined the Marine Corps on January 26, 1973. She served from 1973 to 1985, seven years active and five reserve, during which time she participated in many "firsts" for female Marines. She was the youngest Woman Marine Drill Instructor to serve on the field, as well in the first class of women candidates at the elite Drill Instructor Academy at Parris Island in 1975.

In 1979 then Sergeant Thomas was admitted to and graduated from the Search and Rescue Academy in Jacksonville, Florida. Sgt Thomas was the first woman to fly as a crewmember for a CH46 Sea Knight, as the SAR Swimmer. Sgt Thomas graduated in 2nd place in the prestigious school separated by one tenth of a point for first place. In 1979 women were not authorized to wear Crewmember (Flight) Wings, but Sgt Thomas did qualify for the coveted award.

Before exiting the Corps, Sgt Thomas did a tour on Okinawa, Japan. She was "deep selected" and promoted to Warrant Officer in the USMCR (active), with only eight years service, Sgt, as a Crash Crew Officer. CWO2 Thomas was respected and well thought of by her Marines, and she was extremely honored to be a United States Marine. She was quoted "Old Corps. New Corps. There's only one corps!" [edit]

[edit] Donald Dunne entry

Entry deleted - unable to find any verification for Dunne's role. Could be returned if verified: Unverified: *Donald Dunne — organized and co-founded American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) —ERcheck @ 00:19, 2 February 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Chuck Connors - not verified as Marine - refs say Army

I removed Chuck Connors from the list. All references in show he was in the U.S. Army during World War II. Please add back if verification is found. —ERcheck @ 03:00, 10 April 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Manny Saldivar - unverified

Reverted contribution by User:71.103.80.87 (04:12 UTC, May 31, 2006) — unverifiable entry on Manny Saldivar, UPS. If can verify this person and notability, can be re-entered. —ERcheck @ 04:32, 31 May 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Vincent Capodanno

Vincent R. Capodanno was Navy, although he was serving with the Marines. Not sure if that qualifies him to be on this list. Jwillbur 18:45, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

Have removed Capodanno from the list. Jwillbur 22:37, 3 September 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Honorary Marines

Would it be possible for someone to start an article for individuals who have earned the title of "Honorary Marine"? I'm not sure how many people have earned this title, but I do know that Lon chaney, Sr. and Bugs Bunny would both be on the list. Orville Eastland 00:19, 15 November 2006 (UTC)

You are welcome to start such an article. See my note below responding to your query on Bugs Bunny. — ERcheck (talk) 00:40, 18 April 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Pat Conroy-famous Marine?

Pat Conroy's father was a famous United States Marine but, to my knowledge, Pat Conroy never served in any branch of the armed forces. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Brstvns (talk • contribs) 05:46, 17 December 2006 (UTC).

Apparently this is true. I will remove Pat Conroy's entry. Alcarillo 21:48, 29 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Hussein Mohamed Farrah

I know who he is, but is he really a "famous" U.S. Marine? Alcarillo 18:44, 29 December 2006 (UTC)

One more to add: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pappy_Boyington

he's a warlord feared by hundreds of thousands of people, he's certainly "famous" to them. Elmo 11:59, 8 June 2007 (UTC)


Oh and Pappy Boyington is only famous due to his actions while serving as a us marine, so he doesn't qualify as apparently this article is only on famous people who became famous after they were in the us marines. (despite what the title says (I'll drop it now :P)). Elmo 07:20, 11 June 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Bugs Bunny, fictional character whom "officially" was a U.S Marine?

Does it push to far to put Bugs Bunny in the list? After all he was officially "discharged" with a rank of Master Sergeant as a U.S Marine mascot during second World War. hanchi 2007 March

See my above post on "Honorary Marines". (I'd also like to add Jack Edwards and Joe Rosenthalto the list. Orville Eastland 03:10, 17 April 2007 (UTC)
This list if for real people who served their country in the United States Marine Corps, not for fictional characters, or even for people associated with the Marine Corps, including "honorary" Marines. If there are enough to make a reasonable list, perhaps a "List of honorary U.S. Marines"? — ERcheck (talk) 00:39, 18 April 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Paul Reubens

Paul Reubens, aka PeeWee Herman, was recently added. However, there is substantial doubt as to whether this is true versus a widely promoted urban legend. See this snopes.com discussion. A definitive (not Imdb, yahoo.tv, etc, but official source) source needs to be found if this is to be added back. — ERcheck (talk) 15:46, 18 March 2007 (UTC)

Removed again on May 28, 2007. Again, see Snopes.com. Please do not add back unless verifable. — ERcheck (talk) 06:24, 28 May 2007 (UTC)
Removed again on December 9, 2007. Also see, this on Famous Marine Rumors. No reliable evidence. — ERcheck (talk) 17:38, 9 December 2007 (UTC)

He did serve in the marines! Here's proof! http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000607/bio —Preceding unsigned comment added by 74.79.168.150 (talk • contribs) 00:05, 10 December 2007

  • The IMdB "Trivia" section is not proof since said section relies on information added by fans and does not cite it's source. As a matter of fact IMdB in itself is not a reliable source. Provide a reliable source such as an official Marine Corps site or anywhere where Reubens himself has publicly stated that he was a Marine and then we will take it into consideration. Tony the Marine (talk) 00:38, 10 December 2007 (UTC)
Exactly. This entry should not be added unless an official source verifies his service. As has been noted in sources, he have a role in which he played the part of a Marine. This may be the source of the rumors that he was a Marine. — ERcheck (talk) 00:43, 10 December 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Proposal

I propose that this list should be free of redlinks. If a person is notable enough — "famous" — they can have a Wikipedia article. If there are notable people who served in the Marine Corps, who an editor feels should be on the list, they can create an article on that person (suitably referenced, of course). I'll wait for a week to get feedback, then, if there are no objections, I'll proceed (and leave a comment on the edit page). — ERcheck (talk) 15:57, 18 March 2007 (UTC)

Current redlinks (as of 18 March 2007):
  • James Lee Barrett — author, screenplay writer. (article written, strike — ERcheck (talk) 18:05, 22 April 2007 (UTC))
  • Gregory Burgess — Silver Medal, Swimming, Men's 200 m Individual Medley, 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain
  • Buster Drayton — world boxing champion
  • Greg Hahn — comedian
  • Ben Reed — writer
  • Gerald L. Shaffer — created Leatherneck.com
  • Buzz Williams — author of Spare Parts: From Campus to Combat
— ERcheck (talk) 16:03, 18 March 2007 (UTC)
I created the article on Barrett. I'm removing the rest from the list. Feel free to add back if an article is created, and it is verifable that these people served in the Marine Corps. — ERcheck (talk) 00:41, 18 April 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Title change?

Article title is inaccurate as this is a list of former marines. Suggest a change to 'List of famous former U.S. Marines' or an expansion of scope to include US marines who became famous prior to, or, during their service. 81.151.124.185 23:34, 17 April 2007 (UTC) Elmo

"Once a Marine, always a Marine". — ERcheck (talk) 01:47, 18 April 2007 (UTC) (clarification - IMHO, "former" is not needed in the title. — ERcheck (talk) 18:06, 22 April 2007 (UTC))
Fuck this wanker. All of his edits serve to do nothing but go after the USMC. His agenda is very clear and he should take it somewhere else.--124.183.33.113 09:07, 18 April 2007 (UTC)
Not so, I merely think that clarity is important in an article. "have gained fame through subsequent endeavors, infamy, or successes." limits the scope of the page to people who became famous after serving in the USMC, the title should reflect that. The whole "once a marine, always a marine" is a fine slogan and shows admirable loyalty but wikipedia isn't here to show off your loyalty to the corps. In practice OAMAAM just isn't always true and certainly isn't verifiable or encylcopedic. If the word "former" offends you so, then prehaps the range of the article could be expanded to include people who became famous prior or during their active service? In it's current state, the title just isn't precise enough. SemperFideliS81 13:22, 23 April 2007 (UTC)

[edit] John A. Eastman entry - do not add back

I just removed a redlink for John A. Eastman. I did a G-search and found a page on this individual on a list of those impersonating military personnel.[1]] In 2005, a John A. Eastman was indicted for impersonating a U.S. Marine, a federal offense. Please do not add this name back. — ERcheck (talk) 00:15, 18 April 2007 (UTC)

[edit] List cleanup

I've been reviewing the list to verify that all entries were indeed Marines. I'm listing a few that I've removed along with the reason(s). If reliable sources (citations needed) can be found, they should be added to the person's wiki bio and the name can be added back to this list: — ERcheck (talk) 18:04, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

  • Robert Wagner — actor (not in Wiki article; only "refs" I can find is his name on a some "Famous Marines" list (which might have had Wikipedia as their source); I found one fan note that said he was 4-F.) — ERcheck (talk) 18:04, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Rumored Marines

Here is a site [2] that provides a list of rumored Marines that have been debunked, or at least insufficient evidence to say they served in the Marine Corps. — ERcheck (talk) 06:26, 28 May 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Redlink

I've removed this redlinked entry:

Bill Lansford — film writer and producer

If/when an article is written on this person, sufficient notability established, and it is established that he served in the USMC, this name can be returned to the list. — ERcheck (talk) 03:50, 12 July 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Criteria for inclusion

The list introduction outlines the scope of the list:

  • Person served in the United States Marine Corps (this excludes fictional characters and "honorary" members)
  • Person has gained fame outside of the Marine Corps
    • This means that the historically important Marines, though important in the history of the Corps, don't necessarily belong on the list
    • Person needs to have fame — this is a higher bar than "notability", which is needed for having a Wikipedia article.

The additional standard that has been set is that the list does not contain redlinks — the person must already have a Wikipedia article.

  • If there is a person that doesn't yet have an article, the talk page here can be used to list those identified and are currently without an article.
  • There must be verification by reliable sources (see WP:Verify) that the person served in the Marine Corps.
  • The information that the individual served in the Marine Corps should be in the person's Wikipedia article.
    • That information should be cited in the article.

These criteria have been used in maintaining the article. Please feel free to discuss, concur, etc. — ERcheck (talk) 03:52, 16 July 2007 (UTC)

Just a quick question on this "Person has gained fame outside of the Marine Corps" does that mean the article is now to include those who've become famous due to events prior to service, or is it still only those who're famous due to events after active service? Elmo 11:17, 1 August 2007 (UTC)
The list is intended to capture those who have gained "fame" apart from their Marine Corps service. I've added "previous" to the introduction to capture this. — ERcheck (talk) 22:46, 1 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Removing names

I hate to, but since criteria is to be following I am removing the following names.

Lou Diamond, John Freeman Mackie, Samuel Nicholas and Louis Cukela.

In accordance to the following statements of the established criteria:

  • Person has gained fame outside of the Marine Corps
    • This means that the historically important Marines, though important in the history of the Corps, don't necessarily belong on the list

These names are listed in the "List of Historically Important U.S. Marines".

Tony the Marine 23:38, 25 July 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Josh Gracin

The main Josh Gracin article says he's still a marine(although presumably If that's the case he should be fighting not singing to crowds of twelve year old girls?). If that's true then he shouldn't be included as it's fame whilst he's still with the usmc.

...also out of interest, does anyone know what happened to his face? that's some serious distortion, spine injury?. Elmo 19:29, 1 August 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Removal of names

The fact that Johnny Micheal Spann was the first Marine officer to die in Afganistan, does not make him famous nor notable. Death is not a claim to fame per se.

Josh Gracin was "fourth" place in American Idol. It is a ridcules assumption that he is famous. He is no more famous or notable then the person was in last place.

Nor "fame" or "notable" criterias are met. Tony the Marine 21:47, 1 August 2007 (UTC)

He was in the usmc at the time of gaining fame (his unit was sitting around involved in the war on pop music at the time) which would also disqualify him from the list. Elmo 00:45, 21 August 2007 (UTC)
    • Additional names removed:
      • Daniel Daly — though famous as a Marine and military hero, he does not meet the list criteria — subsequent fame outside of USMC service
      • Nate Dogg — no reliable sources to show his USMC service
      • John Fogerty — in the U.S. Army Reserve and U.S. Coast Guard Reserve, not the Marine Corps
— ERcheck (talk) 21:12, 1 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Pyle - ?Marine?

The name Artimus Pyle — 1970s drummer for Lynyrd Skynyrd — was recently added. The Wikipedia article is unreferenced and the text of the article contains no references to Pyle being a Marine. If his service in the Marine Corps is cited in his article with reliable sources, then the name can be returned. However, without reference, please do not add back. — ERcheck (talk) 04:26, 5 August 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Article Title

Much to my surprise this article is specifically for Marines who gained fame outside of their Marine Corps service. This seems too narrow for the title of this article. I recommend that we use this title to reference together all the lists pertaining to Marines and use separate article specifying that they were Famous for their actions as Marines, Prior to being Marines or after. For instance there is this article which seems too narrow in scope based on the title that I recommend we rename to something more specific like List of Famous Marines (this is just an example). There is also a list of Marine Corps Medal of Honor recipients, and the list of lists of Marines goes on. Basically, what I am saying is that we need a page to tie all these lists together to be more useful and accessible to the reader. Let me know what you think.--Kumioko 23:02, 1 September 2007 (UTC)

The article title, until 23 August 2007, was List of famous U.S. Marines — I'm not sure why it was moved/renamed. I agree that the new title is not ideal. I think it should be moved back to the original title. I agree that there should be additional lists. I have created a number of articles on Marine Corps Medal of Honor recipients, and in fact, have a draft List of United States Marine Corps Medal of Honor recipients. Another helpful list could be List of historically significant U.S. Marines, or similar name, to capture Marines such as Chesty Puller, Dan Daly, Smedley Butler, etc. — ERcheck (talk) 02:07, 2 September 2007 (UTC)
  • I agree with ERcheck that the current tittle is not proper, since it would give the wrong impression that anyone who was or is a Marine could be added. The "List of famous U.S. Marines" was much better. User:Kumioko sugestion that maybe sub-divisons can be created to incorporate the other lists into this one is something to think about. Tony the Marine 03:18, 2 September 2007 (UTC)
OK, there already is a List of Historically Important U.S. Marines (doesn't follow standards for title capitalization]]. — ERcheck (talk) 04:02, 2 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Title move

I moved the page back to "List of famous U.S. Marines" I mean the title of the page sould match the subject or subjects. The title as "is" really makes no sense at all, to the casual reader it call be misunderstood that it can refer to almost anyone who was or is a Marine. Tony the Marine 22:53, 3 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Ray Mercer - need reliable sources

I've commented out Ray Mercer for two reasons:

  1. There is no mention of USMC service in his Wikipedia article.
  2. The reference used is more in passing — "ex-marine" — and doesn't give any indication of sourcing. I've found Mercer's name on some lists of Marines, but I've also found a reference that indicates that he was a Sgt in the U.S. Army.

Both need to be addressed. Is there a clear, reliable source to show Marine Corps service; other that some lists of famous Marines. — ERcheck (talk) 00:43, 1 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Rm redlink names - Shaffer and Sherman

The following names were removed. No Wikpedia articles. Can be replaced if article written. Feel free to write an article — be sure to be aware of WP:BIO, WP:VERIFY, and WP:COI.

  • Gerald L. Shaffer]— businessman, founder of Leatherneck.com.
  • M. Zachary Sherman — writer

— ERcheck (talk) 01:07, 2 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Michael Illitch

This unsigned comment was left at the top of the talk page:

Michael Illitch: Owner of the Detroit Tiger's Baseball Team, The Detroit Red Wings Hockey Team, owner of Little Caesar's Pizza.Former Marine.

Note that this name is already added. — ERcheck (talk) 00:25, 21 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Peter Pace and Smedley Darlington Butler

Removed Peter Pace from list. His name should go in the "List of Historically Important U.S. Marines" since this list is reserved for those who have gained fame outside of their Marine Corps serve. Tony the Marine 14:06, 24 October 2007 (UTC)


The same goes for Smedley Darlington Butler who gained his fame as a Marine and for his Marine Corps service before becoming an outspoken critic of war profiteers and a Police Commissioner for the city of Philadelphia. Tony the Marine 14:21, 24 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Rick Romley

From what I can tell, Rick Romley was a District Attorney not Attorney General as stated on the list (at least that is what his article states). Does anyone have a ref for him as the AG so I can update? Thanks! FieldMarine (talk) 02:29, 26 January 2008 (UTC)

A Google search finds sources that indicate the was speculation about Romley's interest in a U.S. AG post, but no appointment was made. The best place for further discussions on Romley is on his article talk page. — ERcheck (talk) 13:25, 26 January 2008 (UTC)
Good point on discussion for Romley, but I was looking for assistance in updating the entry on this list since that is where this info is presently located. I was looking to change the entry to "Attorney General for XXX Administration". My apologies, I should have been clearer. In absence of a ref, I recommend changing this entry to “Court Attorney of Maricopa County, Arizona”. Any objections? FieldMarine (talk) 14:49, 26 January 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Redlinked names remv

I removed two redlinks from the list — Johnson and

  • LouAnne Johnson — author, teacher, inspired the movie Dangerous Minds;
  • Keith B. Yeadon — Printing Industry Legend

It seems that LouAnne Johnson be notable for an article. If one is created, then the name can be returned. With respect to Yeadon, a G-search returns entry that might be relevant. However, it seems to be a commercial link, i.e. it is seems to be advertising. Again, if an article is written, and the subject is notable enough for the article to be kept, then consideration can be given to whether the person has appropriate notability for the list. — ERcheck (talk) 01:23, 23 February 2008 (UTC)

Also removed this redlink — which has no G-hits except for Wikipedia and Wiki mirror:

  • KristaDawn Josephine Tuscano

— ERcheck (talk) 01:25, 23 February 2008 (UTC)

[edit] who rates the USMC navbox?

I've already added the Template:US Marine Corps navbox to all of the historical Marines, I figured a few of the folks on this list would need it added to thier articles. But whom? Obviously, icons like R. Lee Ermey are significant enough to deserve it, but who else had the Marine Corps a significant enough part of thier life to rate the navbox? bahamut0013♠♣ 11:36, 11 March 2008 (UTC)

  • I would say John Glenn. He had an outsanding military career. He participated in aerial combat during the Korean War and was still serving in the Corps when he made his historical space flight. Tony the Marine (talk) 16:58, 11 March 2008 (UTC)
    • I think such a box would be more appropriate for those on the Historical Marines list, rather than those on this list. If their notability is related to their Marine Corps service, then the infobox might be appropriate. — ERcheck (talk) 02:43, 27 March 2008 (UTC)

[edit] fictional

Would a list of fictional US Marines (or fictional parodies of the USMC, like in the movie Aliens) be significant enough to warrant a short section and/or its own article? I'm sure there are plenty, but would they carry the weight to deserve mention, or would it just be cruft? bahamut0013♠♣ 14:38, 12 March 2008 (UTC)

This has been discussed a bit in the past. I think that this list is not the place. It is for real people. I do think that a fictional list might not make it without being put up for deletion — as you said, some find deem it "cruft". — ERcheck (talk) 02:37, 27 March 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Removal of names

I have removed some names because I couldn't find a verifiable reliable source indicating USMC service. If anyone can provide a source on any of the names which I removed, please feel free to add once more with the proper citation. There are a couple of names which I removed because I questioned not only their service, but also their notability. Keep in mind that I maybe wrong however, people should have more then "5 minutes" of fame and their notability should be long lasting. Tony the Marine (talk) 21:01, 28 March 2008 (UTC)

what about Ken Ryker. he has references. the IMdB is considered to be the leading source of references for actors.70.7.54.99 (talk) 03:09, 20 May 2008 (UTC)

  • Not in accordance to Wikipedia policy. You must remember that IMdB bios are submitted by fans and so on without any references. I am sure that if Ken Ryker served in the Marines that there has to be a reliable verifiable source (such as newspaper articles, magazine interviews and such). Find a truely reliable source and then add his name. Tony the Marine (talk) 03:20, 20 May 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Iwo Jima Flag Raisers?

Shouldn't they be added into this list, cause they pretty much did become famous for that picture —Preceding unsigned comment added by 72.67.223.136 (talk) 21:02, 25 May 2008 (UTC)

Note that the list introduction outlines the criteria for inclusion, including "gained fame outside of the Marine Corps" - therefore those of historic importance to the Marine Corps do not automatically qualify for this list. If their fame occurred from events apart from their military service, then they might qualify. In the case of those who raised the flag on Iwo Jima - this event occurred in the scope of their Marine Corps service -- thus this does not qualify for "outside of the Marine Corps". The appropriate list is List of historically important U.S. Marines. — ERcheck (talk) 00:23, 26 May 2008 (UTC)

Ok then, thanks