Dino Manelli

Although born in Italy, "Dino Manelli" immigrated to the United States with his parents. His good looks and singing talent led to a career in the movies. He played Wyatt Earp and a baseball player, among other roles. During this period he also appeared in nightclubs with Jerry Larkin, a comedian. He was about to star as Dracula in an Alfred Hitchcock film. He had everything. After Pearl Harbor, though, he gave it all up. He changed his name, joined the army, and eventually became a founding member of the Howling Commandos. After training, the unit was dispatched back behind enemy lines in France to recover Free French Resistance fighter who was captured by Nazi soldiers. This was a vital rescue mission since they knew the date and time of an impending Allied landing on the beaches of Normandy. With the help of Free French resistance fighters they rescued the man from the Nazis before he could be forced to talk.