Admiral Rockwell Tory
Diamond Member
Most people do not realize that Al Gore was a carpal tunnel rat in Vietnam!Quite a few rich people were drafted or volunteered.
Ross Perot came from a very wealthy banking family, and he served in the Navy for 4 years.
John McIlhenny came from a very wealthy and prominent family, who created the "Tabasco Sauce" company. He resigned from the company to serve in the Spanish-American War with the Rough Riders.
His son Walter McIlhenny was in the executive training program so he could replace his dad when he retired. He was already in the Marine Reserve, and saw extensive service in the Pacific (earning the nickname "Tabasco Mac"). And being awarded the Navy Cross, Silver Star, and Purple Heart. And served for a total of 41 years, retiring from the Marine Reserves as a Brigadier General.
And of course Jimmy Stuart, who enlisted in early 1941 (on his third attempt, he was rejected twice in 1940 for weight). And since he was already a pilot he was fast tracked to being a flight instructor in the Air Force.
Others were Buddy Ebsen, Cesar Romero, Clark Gable, Ted Williams, Al Gore, John Kerry, Elvis Presley, the list goes on and on. The old claim that the sons of the rich or powerful never served is nonsense.
Oh, and all 4 of Ambassador Joseph Kennedy's sons served. Joe Jr, John, Robert, and Edward.