The man we know as John Wayne was born Marion Robert Morrison on May 26, 1907 in Winterset, Iowa. He died 72 years later of stomach cancer in June 1979. In between he invented the John Wayne character and appeared in more than 170 films.

John Wayne defined Americana. He was the epitome of rugged individualism. He was simultaneously macho and sensitive. He was a humble man that appeared larger than life to everyone around him. His patriotism knew no bounds.

I love John Wayne because he too went through a political reformation, just as I did: by starting out liberal and then doing some thinking:

Now I always thought I was a Liberal. I came up terribly surprised one time when I found out that I was a Right-Wing Conservative Extremist, when I listened to everybody’s point of view that I ever met, and then decided how I should feel. But this so-called new Liberal group, Jesus, they never listen to your point of view…

The Houston Chronicle lists 100 reasons to love John Wayne. My favorite is number 60:

For having the integrity to put his money where his political mouth was and produce, direct and star in The Alamo and The Green Berets.

History professor Jim Olson co-wrote a biography of John Wayne’s life, and has this to say about the man:

Wayne lived in a world of absolutes. He did not like ambiguity. He lived in a world where, in his mind, right was right and wrong was wrong. And evil was real and evil had to be crushed with violence if necessary.

There’s a generation of Americans that kind of grew up with Wayne, matured with Wayne and grew old with Wayne, through all the trials and traumas of modern American history — and in doing so, found in him a voice they understood.

Such clarity is rare among those that matter, rarer still among actors. John Wayne, Ronald Reagan, Fred Thompson, all too few standing in a cesspool of liberalism.

Happy birthday, Duke! We miss your voice but can’t begrudge the Lord for taking you so that He may benefit.

Update: Mick Wright posts pictures that he took of Wayne’s birthplace. Take a look.