John Wayne for years represented on film what it was to be a man's man. Born Marion Michael Morrison in Winterset, Iowa May 26, 1907. Wayne's family moved to southern California when he was six years old. In school he was an A student, president of his senior class and a lettered athletic. Wayne received a full scholorship at USC to play football. It was his coach Howard Jones that got him a summer job as an assistant prop man on a set of John Ford. Wayne struck up a friendship with Ford and they became lifelong friends and the rest is Hollywood history.

Wayne was reknown for his western movies. With his deep love of country he went to portray numerous western heroes as well as many other roles over the course of his career. He stood 6'4", with a commanding voice to match, and on screen he was larger than life. He was the hero and the guy that always got the girl.

Boys at play would often imitate the 'Duke' as he was affectionately known. Always imitated, there are few baby boomers who have never seen a John Wayne movie. Wayne's love of country and patriotism was refected throughout his life.

During his life he received many awards. In 1998 he was honored with an Army RAH-66 Helicopter, to be named "The Duke". For 25 years he was an American icon on the big screen. People have summed up in many words who John Wayne was, however Elizabeth Taylor said it best when she said "He gave the whole world the image of what an American should be."