Toward the end of the movie “The Caine Mutiny” (1954), Jose Ferrer who portrayed the Navy lawyer that successfully defends the 2 mutineers, makes a tremendous speech:
I think that says a lot about John Wayne’s not serving.
Basically, had Mr Wayne served, his salary would have been severely decreased, he would not have had those lovely ladies hanging around him, his movie career would have gone no place, etc.
I think he could see how advantageous it would be not to go to war.
However, in his later years, I think it was very hypocritical of him to be a pro-war advocate after avoiding his chance to “stand guard over this fat, dumb, happy country of ours.”