Oliver Burgess Meredith
MilitaryPublic domain image via Wikimedia Commons
Burgess Meredith was a Hollywood actor, best known before the Second World War for his acclaimed performance in 'Of Mice and Men' (1939).
He enlisted in February 1942, joining the US Army Air Forces, where he achieved the rank of Captain. Meredith was then transferred to the Office of War Information where he was tasked with making training films for GIs, including 'Rear Gunner' (1943) and 'A Welcome to Britain' (1943).
Meredith was discharged in 1945 to work on the film, 'The Story of GI Joe' (1945), where he played the war correspondent Ernie Pyle. He continued to act for the rest of his life, notably starring as Batman's enemy, The Penguin, in the 1960s TV Series, and as the boxing trainer Mickey Goldmill in the 'Rocky' film series. Meredith has been hailed as one of the most accomplished actors of the twentieth century.
Connections
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People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Highest Rank: General
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: Headquarters Squadron (VIII Bomber Command) Headquarters (Eighth Air Force) United States Army Forces in the British Isles
- Service Numbers: O-7478
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant General
- Role/Job: Commanding General, 8th Air Force
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Civilian
- Nationality: American
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Born |
Cleveland, Ohio | 16 November 1907 | |
Enlisted |
Fort Macarthur San Pedro, California | 27 February 1942 | |
Died |
Malibu, California | 9 September 1997 |
Revisions
Corrected a typo in the "Summary biography" - “notably” was misspelled.
IWM, COI 938, A Welcome to Britain
A Welcome to Britain IWM Film favourites