Clint Eastwood Didn't Just Play a Tough Guy on Film - He Survived a Crash Into Shark-Infested Waters During His Army Days

Clint Eastwood is one of the most talented and influential actors in Hollywood. Over nearly seven decades, his career's yielded an array of iconic films. He's especially known for his roles in Spaghetti Westerns and military movies , the latter of which may reflect his own experiences in the US Army.

Clint Eastwood was drafted during the Korean War

In 1951, Clint Eastwood was drafted into the US Army amid the Korean War . He was assigned to Fort Ord , California, where he completed his basic training. During this time, he worked as a swimming instructor and a bouncer at the NCO club, forming friendships with actors David Jansen, Martin Milner, and Richard Long. Eastwood was honorably discharged in 1953.

A significant event in Eastwood's service was his involvement in a plane crash. After visiting his parents and girlfriend in Seattle, the 21-year-old Eastwood boarded a U.S. Navy AD-1Q Skyraider headed to Mather Air Force Base in Sacramento.

During the flight, Eastwood and pilot Lt. Francis Coleman Anderson faced challenges that led to the AD-1Q torpedo bomber running out of fuel and crashing into the Pacific Ocean near Point Reyes. Fortunately, both Eastwood and Anderson were able to use a life raft and navigate through the cold, turbulent waters to safety.

Eastwood spoke about the accident

As fate would have it, the crash foreshadowed the future actor's role in 1979's Escape from Alcatraz , in which he portrayed Frank Morris, one of three men to escape Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary by swimming across San Francisco Bay. The film is a dramatization of the real-life escape attempt by Morris and fellow inmates Clarence and John Anglin in 1962.

Whether they succeeded remains a mystery.

Speaking about the accident, Eastwood once said :

"In those days, you could wear your uniform and get a free flight. One the way back, they had one plane, a Douglas AD. Sort of a torpedo bomber of the World War II vintage, and I thought I'd hitch on that. Everything went wrong. Radios went out. Oxygen ran out. And finally, we ran out of fuel up around Point Reyes, California, and went into the ocean. So we went swimming.

"It was late October, November. Very cold water. Found out many years later that it was a white shark breeding ground, but I'm glad I didn't know that at the time or I'd have just died."

Portraying soldiers in Hollywood

After completing his military service, Clint Eastwood took advantage of the GI Bill to attend LA City College, where he focused on drama studies. Like many actors, he began with small parts before ascending to become one of Hollywood's most revered stars. His most prominent roles included Rowdy Yates in Rawhide (1959-65), Harry Callahan in Dirty Harry (1971) and Gunnery Sgt. Thomas Highway in Heartbreak Ridge (1986).

The latter role emphasizes the many military-themed films in which Eastwood has acted and directed throughout his career. He played Army Ranger Lt. Morris Schaffer in the 1968 film Where Eagles Dare , which follows a British Commando team on a dangerous rescue mission, and he starred in 1970's Kelly's Heroes .

Eastwood makes excellent military movies

Clint Eastwood portrayed Korean War veteran Walt Kowalski in 2008's Gran Torino , and he also served as the film's director.

Eastwood has also ventured into adapting books for film. His 2014 movie American Sniper , starring Bradley Cooper, is loosely based on the Iraq War memoir of Navy SEAL Chris Kyle. As well, he divided James Bradley's 2000 book Flags of Our Fathers into two films. The 2006 film of the same name explores the American viewpoint of the Battle of Iwo Jima , while its companion piece, Letters from Iwo Jima , presents the story from the Japanese perspective.

Clint Eastwood and veterans

Clint Eastwood has devoted part of his life to supporting veterans organizations, like the Gary Sinise Foundation . Sinise, a fellow actor, has been recognized for his humanitarian efforts, especially on behalf of retired US service members, and his organization is committed to honoring veterans and their families.

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On June 4, 2022, the foundation took to X (formerly Twitter), to honor Clint Eastwood. In the post, it said, "On #SaturdaySalute, we recognize legendary actor, director, composer, and producer Clint Eastwood. A longtime pal of our very own, @GarySinise, he continues his service to his brothers and sisters in arms through his generous support of GSF. Mr. Eastwood, we salute you!"