JOHN WAYNE (THE DUKE)
DATE OF BIRTH: 25 MAY 1907: Winterset, Iowa,
DATE OF DEATH: 11 JUNE 1979: Los Angeles, California (Lung and Stomach cancer)
BIRTH NAME: Marion Robert Morrison
NICKNAME: Duke and JW (family nickname)
MASONIC DATES:
· INITIATED: July 9, 1970
· PASSED: July 10, 1970
· RASIED: July 11, 1970
· Marion McDaniel Lodge No. 56, Tucson, Arizona
Wayne was a Master Mason in Marion McDaniel Lodge No. 56 F&AM. HE became a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason and later joined the Al Malaikah Shrine Temple in Los Angeles. He later became a member of the York Rite.
He was initiated into DeMolay in 1924 at the Glendale Chapter, Glendale, California.
He received the DeMolay Legion of honor in 1970
He followed his father as a Mason. He was a good man
John Wayne was the son of a pharmacist, Clyde Morrison, and his wife Mary. Clyde developed a lung condition that required him to move his family from Iowa to the warmer climate of southern California, where they tried ranching in the Mojave Desert. Until the ranch failed, Marion (Duke) and his younger brother, Robert E. Morrison, swam in an irrigation ditch and rode a horse to school. When the ranch failed, the family moved to Glendale, California where delivered medicines for his father, sold newspapers and had an Airedale dog named Duke. (The source of his nickname) He did well in school both academically and in football. When he narrowly failed admission to Annapolis, he went to USC on a football scholarship 1925-1927
He starred in over 200 films in his 50 year career, winning an Oscar for “True Grit” in 1969. Remembered for his definition of the American individualist of a mythical wild west, he came to represent America to several generations of movie goers.
John Wayne’s enduring status as an iconic American was formally recognized by the US Congress on May 26, 1979 when he was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal. Hollywood figures and American leaders from across the political spectrum, including Elizabeth Taylor, Frank Sinatra, Mike Frankovich, Katharine Hepburn, General and Mrs. Omar Bradley, Gregory Peck, Robert Stack, James Arness, and Kirk Douglas, testified to Congress of the merit and deservedness of this award. Most notable was the testimony of Robert Aldrich, then president of the Directors Guild of America:”It is important for you to know that I am a registered Democrat and. To my knowledge, share none of the political views espoused by Duke. However, whether he is ill disposed or healthy, John Wayne is far beyond the normal political sharp shooting in this community. Because of his courage, his dignity, his integrity, and because of his talents as an actor, his strength as a leader, his warmth as a human being throughout his illustrious career, he is entitled to a unique spot in our hearts and minds. In this industry, we often judge people, sometimes unfairly, by asking whether they have paid their dues. John Wayne has paid his dues over and over, and I’m proud to consider him a friend and am very much in favor of my Government recognizing in some important fashion the contribution that Mr. Wayne has made”
Maurren O’Hara, Wayne’s closest friend, initiated the petition for the medal and requested the words that would be placed onto the medal:”It is my great honor to be here. I beg you to strike a medal for Duke, to order the President to strike it. And I feel that the medal should say just one thing, ‘John Wayne, American.” This Congressional Gold Medal was presented to the family of John Wayne in a ceremony held on March 6, 1980 at the Capital. Copies were made and sold in large numbers to the public.
MARRIAGE:
Wayne was married three times and divorced twice. His wives were all Latin women.
· Josephine Alicia Saenz They had four children
o Michael Wayne born 11/23/34 died 4/2/03 – Film Producer
o Toni Wayne LaCava born 2/25/36 died 12/6/00
o Patrick Wayne born 7/15/39 – Actor
o Melinda Wayne Munoz born 12/3/40
· Esperanza Baur
· Pilar Pallete. They had three children
o Aissa Wayne born 3/31/56 – Actress, Attorney
o John Ethan Wayne born 2/22/62 – Actor
o Marisa Wayne born 2/22/66 - Actress