Why the U.S. Marines Gave Gomer Pyle a Rare Honor in 2001
Gomer Pyle might have started as a humble garage mechanic from Mayberry who stumbled into the U.S. Marine Corps, but his lessons in heart and honesty stuck with audiences for decades. On Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., which aired from 1964 to 1969, Gomer joined the Marines, where he remained at the rank of Private First Class for the entire series, and was always looking out for his fellow men.
On August 9, 2001, the Marine Corps recognized Gomer, not just the character but the man behind him, Jim Nabors, for the way he uplifted their image. Commandant General James L. Jones awarded Nabors the title of Honorary Lance Corporal, nearly four decades after the show ended.
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The honors did not stop there. On September 25, 2007, Lieutenant General John F. Goodman promoted Nabors to Honorary Corporal during a sunset ceremony in Waikiki to mark the 43rd anniversary of the series debut. Marine officials cited Gomer Pyle’s representation of honesty, integrity, and steadfastness, qualities the Marines strive to uphold.
“I was surprised about the first one,” Nabors said in a press release for the Marines. “Gen. [James L.] Jones asked me one day how long I had been a PFC and I told him, ‘Sir, I still am.’”
Nabors’ surprise was perhaps because it is extremely rare that someone receives the chance to become an honorary Marine, let alone become promoted to an even higher rank. Some veterans’ historians note that for their support and entertainment of Marines, especially during the Vietnam era, Nabors and his co-star Frank Sutton were given the rare distinction of being named Honorary Marines. In addition, Nabors was presented with the oldest military weapon still in use today, the NCO sword.
You can now relive the memories and watch Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. on Pluto TV for free.
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Classic TV Shows of the ’50s & ’60s
September 2020
Test your knowledge, from Bonanza and Gunsmoke to I Love Lucy, I Dream of Jeannie, Star Trek and more fun TV of the 1950s and 1960s.
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