#4. WWE Veteran Dutch Mantell
Dutch Mantell was drafted into the United States military shortly after kicking off his wrestling career in 1970. The 72-year-old then participated in the Vietnam War as a member of the 25th Infantry Division.
In an interview a few years ago, Mantell revealed that he still thinks about his time in Vietnam daily, stating that he participated in the war because he loved his country.
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"I think any boy who was over there with me thinks about it every day because I know I still think about it every day. And for 11 months and 27 days, I laid there in that rat-infested jungle and I don't appreciate someone coming out there and saying that I'm a loser and that I lost in Vietnam, because I did not lose in Vietnam. And whether the country was right or whether it was wrong, it's not up to me to decide, because I got drafted and it was my duty to go. (...) I went out of a sense of duty to my country because I love it," Mantell said.
Mantell received the Vietnam Service Medal for his service in the war. After returning to the United States, the former AWA Southern Heavyweight Champion continued his wrestling career. He worked for several promotions, including WCW, WWE, and IMPACT Wrestling.
Edited by Jacob Terrell