The True Story Of Ed McMahon's WWII Military Service

In a way, Ed McMahon's childhood and adolescence prepared him at once for both careers in the military and in television. As The A.V. Club reports, his voice was his ticket to whatever vocation he chose in which it would be an asset. Indeed, as a teenager and young man, he earned a few bucks with his voice, working at various times as a carnival barker and a bingo caller, among other jobs.

Even before World War II, McMahon was keen to join the service as a pilot, according to Military.com. And though there are multiple character traits that are required for a career in the military — physical fitness and respect for authority, for example — having a good voice is also a bonus as it helps for giving commands, instructing subordinates, etc. It was certainly an asset for McMahon: "His booming, resonant voice became the centerpiece of his career as an entertainer and would serve him as a Marine," the website notes. McMahon, specifically, would make use of his voice in his military career, as for much of it, he served as a flight instructor. However, it would take a specific series of events to get his military career off the ground.

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