James Arness, USA 1943-45 WW II. Arness, who was 6’7”, said he wanted to be a fighter pilot but the height limit for aviators was 6’2”. He was drafted in ’43, served as a rifleman in the 3rd Infantry Division, and was severely wounded at Anzio, Italy. After several surgeries he was discharged but had a lifelong limp. Earned a Bronze Star and Purple Heart.