Midway : Was James Coburn's character historical or fictional?

Was James Coburn's character historical or fictional?

Some characters, like Henry Fonda (Nimitz) were real, and some like Charlton Heston (Garth) were fictional. Was James Coburn's character Maddox real or fictional?

Re: Was James Coburn's character historical or fictional?

I'd guess fictional. Really, it's mainly Nimitz and the Admirals in command of the carriers who were real. Ensign Gay, as well. I don't think Coburn's role is big enough to believe him to be a real person.

Re: Was James Coburn's character historical or fictional?

Lt. Cmdr. Clarence Wade McClusky, Jr. (Monte Markham) was real. He won the Navy Cross for his action and later achieved the rank of Captain. The USS McClusky (FFG-41) was named in his honor. The Wade McClusky Award is given annually to the most outstanding attack squadron in the US Navy.

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Re: Was James Coburn's character historical or fictional?

Christopher George played McClusky while Monte Markham played VB-3's squadron leader Lt. Cmdr. Max Leslie.

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Re: Was James Coburn's character historical or fictional?

Oops. You`re right. Thanks for setting the record straight.


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Re: Was James Coburn's character historical or fictional?

The leaders of the flight squadrons were real. Max Leslie, Lem Massey, John Thach, Red Parks, Wade McClusky, all very real.

Re: Was James Coburn's character historical or fictional?

I've been studying Military History since my father gave me a book about The Battle Of Midway when I was 10. His brother, My Uncle was on the Yorktown at Midway. I've studied the entire Pacific War, in depth. The character was fictional. 100%.

Re: Was James Coburn's character historical or fictional?

James Coburns character was loosely based on a General Delos Emmons who met with Nimitz prior to the battle of midway and expressed his and Washington's concerns over Nimitz' gamble of committing the entire force based on the intelligence provided by Rochefort and his staff. Nimitz explained to Emmons he had complete faith in Rochefort, and invited Emmons to meet Rochefort for himself and see. Emmons sent an aide who wound up depending several days watching Rochefort's staff in action and was thoroughly impressed. Upon reporting his findings to Emmons, Nimitz was never questioned again about Midway, and after the battle, received an elaborate bottle of champagne from Emmons.

Re: Was James Coburn's character historical or fictional?

Thanks for the info. I haven't checked back here in awhile and was wondering the same about Coburns character. I thought that scene was great and really exemplifies how Nimitz was willing to back his decisions.

Re: Was James Coburn's character historical or fictional?

Thanks for that information.

Re: Was James Coburn's character historical or fictional?

That is correct (and well summarized).

The Coburn character was a fictional character in the movie to portray the concern that others had for Nimitz's non- conservative play. Ernest King, among others in DC, were concerned for an attack on the west coast of the US mainland.
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