Famous Marine, Actor Encourages Wounded Troops

Famous Marine, Actor Encourages Wounded Troops
By Michael E. Dukes
Special to American Forces Press Service


WASHINGTON, May 13, 2005 – A man who probably is best known as the Marine drill instructor from the movie "Full Metal Jacket" and as host of the History Channel's "Mail Call" program visited recovering troops at Walter Reed Army Medical Center here May 12.

Marine Sgt. James King tells R. Lee Ermey, best known as the Marine drill instructor in the movie "Full Metal Jacket" that he plans to enter the Marine Corps Marathon and the New York Marathon after he recovers from the amputation of his left leg. Ermey met recovering war wounded at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington May 12 as part of a USO-sponsored visit. Photo by Michael E. Dukes (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

"I thought I'd come down and see how they're treating you down here," R. Lee Ermey told one of the patients he visited on the hospital's Ward 68.

A retired Marine gunnery sergeant, Ermey said he retired long ago, but he never left the Marine Corps. "I've been with the Marines for 44 years now," he said.

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James King