Douglas Fairbanks Jr. » Trivia

He joined the naval reserves before WWII. During the war he served on the Battleship Massachuesetts and was a Commando raider sent on several land attack missions. He retired from the reserves, years later, as a full Captain. He wrote about his war years in the book "A Hell of a War" which also covers his duties in helping organize the forerunners of today's Navy Seals.

Host of an entertaining introductory film shown to visitors of the Smithsonian's National Air & Space Museum in Washington D.C.

Brother-in-law of Hal Le Sueur.

Interred at Hollywood Forever Cemetery in same crypt with father, Douglas Fairbanks, Sr.

Cousin-in-law of Owen Crump.

Host/narrator of the syndicated radio show "The Silent Man" (1951-1952).

His death was reported on the front page of the Times in London and Buckingham Palace expressed its condolences on his demise

Daughters, Daphne, Victoria, and Melissa.

Nephew of Robert Fairbanks.

Was awarded the British Distinguished Service Cross, the French Legion of Honor and Croix de Guerre with Palm for his services during World War II.

He had a lifelong, cultivated interest in international affairs. In 1941 President Franklin Delano Roosevelt appointed him a special envoy to South America.

Cousin of Lucile Fairbanks.

Created an honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in 1949

Biography in: "American National Biography". Supplement 1, pp. 196-197. New York: Oxford University Press, 2002.

He held the Silver Star and the Legion of Merit with V for valor in combat device from the U.S. government for his combat service in PT boats and gunboats.