text: USMC vet Steve McQueen was 'King of Cool' before movies - Sandboxx
  USMC vet Steve McQueen was 'King of Cool' before movies
  Coffee or Die | July 13, 2021
  This article by Mac Caltrider was originally published by Coffee or Die.
  Steve McQueen had a rough childhood. Between two abusive stepfathers, an alcoholic mother who abandoned him, and growing up in a reform school, it's no surprise the famous actor viewed the Marine Corps as a great escape from life's hardships.
  Before he was a movie star or a jarhead, "The King of Cool" worked a long list of dirty jobs, including one stint as a roughneck on an oil rig and one as a "towel boy" at a brothel, which prepared him for the grimy existence of an enlisted Marine.
  Steve McQueen, who often portrayed military heroes on screen, actually saved the lives of five Marines when he served on active duty. Screenshot from The Sand Pebbles.
  RELATED: 10 ICONIC MOVIE AND TV ROLES PLAYED BY WWII VETERANS
  McQueen enlisted in 1947 as a tank engine mechanic and endured a very bumpy four-year enlistment. Apparently attending a reform school for boys did not have the intended effect, and McQueen struggled with the Corps' strict rules. He had a penchant for rebelling and was busted down to private no fewer than seven times: an impressive feat for such a short military career.
  While serving aboard Camp Lejeune, he took it upon himself to turn his weekend liberty into a two-week unauthorized vacation. When he was finally apprehended, McQueen was charged with unauthorized absence and sentenced to 41 days in the brig, where he lived on bread and water — an experience that came in handy for his famous roles as a prisoner in "The Great Escape" and "Papillion."
  Steve McQueen was busted down to the rank of private seven times during his four years in the Marine Corps. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
  RELATED: THE BEST FICTIONAL MARINES FROM MOVIES AND TV
  Despite his aversion to obeying rules and regulations, McQueen ultimately came around to the Corps' rigid ways, and he began to excel as a tanker. Eventually, he was even given command of his own tank while still holding the rank of private first class.
  While deployed to the Labrador Sea for amphibious training, his transport ship struck a sandbar, sending several of the tanks and their crews into icy waters. Without hesitating, McQueen dove into the sea and reportedly saved five Marines from drowning.
  Before Steve McQueen was a movie star, he worked on tanks as a Marine. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
  McQueen's heroic actions helped the Corps overlook his history of demotions, and he was given the opportunity to be a part of the President's Honor Guard, where he helped protect Harry S. Truman's yacht. McQueen never made it past private first class, but he received an honorable discharge — which never would have been approved in today's Corps.
  According to his ex-wife, Neile Adams McQueen, the King of Cool's entire unit was tragically wiped out in the Korean War, just months after he was discharged. Luckily for fans of his iconic films, McQueen missed the war by a few months and went on to become one of Hollywood's most beloved actors.
  Films like "The Sand Pebbles," "Bullitt," and "The Thomas Crown Affair" established McQueen as a serious dramatic talent, but his offscreen persona of racing cars, practicing martial arts with pal Bruce Lee, and getting drunk with Ol' Blue Eyes built his reputation as one of the coolest men in Hollywood. But his often-overlooked time in the Marines made Steve McQueen The King of Cool long before he ever appeared on the silver screen.
  Ted Williams: Greatness on the diamond and in the air
  A Navy's SEALs list of post-apocalyptic novels that should be movies
  Feature image: Composite by Coffee or Die.
  Allan Brown says
  How many of us will pass away,and have a giant photograph on a major Australuan shopping centre window fifty years later, and still be cool.I brought his persol sunglasses for myself without knowing he had them and wore them in the Tommas crown affair same good taste,how much did his coupe go for $ they love steve.
  Lovell says
  Some of all time favorites tom horn .nevada smith Bullitt sand pebbles firing that b.a r.the great escape.
  What about the movie 'On Any Sunday'? McQueen loved riding his Husky dirtbike.
  Steve McQueen was a bad boy marine I love his movies and I love coffee the stronger the better
  By: Alex Hollings | May 27, 2020
  Let's be honest, most movies don't get the Marines right, but that doesn't mean some...
  By: Nicole Utt | January 17, 2021
  USMC Combat Fitness Test (CFT) | 2021 Standards
  Throughout boot camp recruits will face many battles, where they will be tested beyond exhaustion...