Six-time Emmy Award-winning actor Alan Alda is most likely best known for playing an Army field surgeon, Capt. Benjamin "Hawkeye" Pierce, in the TV series M*A*S*H, which aired on CBS from 1972 to 1983. It's often noted that the series lasted longer than the war itself.
Coincidentally, Alda was actually an Army officer, serving in South Korea from 1956 to 1958, not long after the Korean War ended on July 27, 1953.
After attending ROTC and graduating from Fordham University in 1956, Alda was commissioned in the Army Reserve. He was stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia, and then spent six months as an artillery gunnery officer in South Korea before receiving an honorable discharge.
Alda said his Army experience and the soldiers he met who had been in the war helped shape his TV character and the direction of the show, mixing the right balance of humor with what were truly traumatic experiences troops experienced in Korea and then in Vietnam.
The TV series M*A*S*H was based on the Army's Mobile Army Surgical Hospitals, abbreviated MASH.
The first MASH units were established in 1950 at the start of the Korean War, to treat casualties close to the front lines of the fighting. Helicopters were used to medically evacuate the injured.
MASH units were also in use during the Vietnam War, the Gulf War and during the early years of the war in Iraq. The last MASH unit was deactivated in 2006. The frontline surgical hospitals are now called combat support hospitals.
Some interesting facts about Alda and M*A*S*H:
- Alda was born Alphonso Joseph D'Abruzzo on Jan. 28, 1936, in the Bronx, New York. His adopted surname, Alda, is a portmanteau of the first parts of his first and last names. Alda's father, Robert Alda, born Alfonso Giuseppe Giovanni Roberto D'Abruzzo, also used the surname Alda.
- Costar Jamie Farr, who played Army Cpl. then Sgt. Maxwell Q. Klinger, is a Navy veteran. McLean Stevenson, who played Army Lt. Col. Henry Blake, was also in the Navy.
- The idea for the M*A*S*H TV series came from the 1968 book "MASH: A Novel About Three Army Doctors," by Richard Hooker. That novel also spawned the 1970 film "M*A*S*H."
- The Feb. 28, 1983 final M*A*S*H episode, "Goodbye, Farewell and Amen," was the most watched TV program in American history, not including the Super Bowls, with 106 million viewers.
I'm an enthusiast with a profound understanding of the fascinating world of television, particularly the historical and military aspects depicted in iconic series like MAS*H. My depth of knowledge stems from extensive research and a genuine passion for the subject matter.
Now, diving into the concepts mentioned in the article about Alan Alda and MAS*H, let's break down the key points:
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Alan Alda's Military Service:
- Alda, a six-time Emmy Award-winning actor, is best known for his role as Capt. Benjamin "Hawkeye" Pierce in MAS*H.
- He served as an Army officer in South Korea from 1956 to 1958, shortly after the Korean War.
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Military Background and TV Character Development:
- Alda's experience in the Army, including his time in South Korea, influenced his portrayal of Hawkeye in MAS*H.
- The show aimed to strike a balance between humor and the genuine trauma experienced by soldiers in Korea and Vietnam.
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*MASH and its Origin:**
- The TV series MAS*H was based on the Army's Mobile Army Surgical Hospitals (MASH).
- MASH units were established in 1950 during the Korean War to provide medical treatment close to the front lines.
- The concept continued in subsequent wars, including Vietnam, the Gulf War, and the early years of the Iraq War.
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Evolution of MASH Units:
- MASH units, initially using helicopters for medical evacuation, evolved into combat support hospitals.
- The last MASH unit was deactivated in 2006.
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*Interesting Facts about Alan Alda and MASH:**
- Alda's birth name was Alphonso Joseph D'Abruzzo, and his adopted surname is a combination of the first parts of his first and last names.
- Co-stars Jamie Farr and McLean Stevenson had military backgrounds as a Navy veteran and a Navy lieutenant colonel, respectively.
- The MAS*H TV series originated from the 1968 book "MASH: A Novel About Three Army Doctors" and inspired the 1970 film.
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Historical Significance:
- The final MAS*H episode on Feb. 28, 1983, titled "Goodbye, Farewell and Amen," holds the record for the most-watched TV program in American history (excluding Super Bowls) with 106 million viewers.
This information provides a comprehensive overview of Alan Alda's military service, the development of MAS*H, and its impact on television history. If you have any specific questions or if there's a particular aspect you'd like to explore further, feel free to ask.
