What were Mickey Rooney's military awards?

Answer 1

Awarded the Bronze Star Medal for entertaining troops in combat zones. In addition to the Bronze Star Medal, Rooney also received the Army Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, and World War II Victory Medal for his military service.

With a strong sense of patriotism since before the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, Mickey was never away from the cause. When Mickey was originally called up for service, he was turned down, classified 4-f due to high blood pressure. Extremely upset by this disappointment for one so anxious to join in on the war effort, Mickey would not give up and he took measures to insure that he would be accepted on another try. In the interim, the Mick spent the next two years entertaining the troops at the USO, going all out on bond drives, including with friends Judy Garland and Jimmy Cagney, and doing shows for Armed Forces Radio. When next Mickey tried again to re-enlist, he was accepted. He was twenty-four years old, already married and was newly divorced. Louis B. Mayer, Mickey's boss at MGM, did not concern himself in the loss of a major box-office attraction and instead had the studio adapt with Mickey who was in the midst of filming "National Velvet" with 12-year old Elizabeth Taylor. Mickey was told by representatives of Uncle Sam that he would be free for one month more only, so with that news Mayer decided that all of Mickey's scenes would be shot first. By the time the picture had finished filming, Mickey was already on his way overseas.

The objective of the troops entertaining in the "jeep shows" was to entertain the men on the front lines meanwhile also remaining soldiers and prone as well to combat situations. The members of the jeep shows ate c-rations and as did the infantry, could go for weeks without showers or shaving, and were required to carry a gun in case they needed to use it. Mickey has his share of combat stories, evolving from situations where sometimes he was also required to pick up the rifle.

Mickey Rooney was drafted into the US Army in 1944, serving for 21 months. He served in a entertainment unit, not qualifying for military awards.

Answer 2

YES - Mickey Rooney was inducted into the US Army during WWII and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for entertaining troops in combat zones, they were called “Jeep” shows (without the “V” for valor).

Answer 3

yes.