You may remember his signature line – “Heeeere’s Johnny!! For nearly 30 years Ed McMahon was the co-host of the popular television series “The Tonight Show” with fellow World War II veteran Johnny Carson. While Johnny served in the Navy – Ed served with the US Marine Corps. McMahon served with the Marines during World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.
According to the US Department of Defense: “In 1944, Ed McMahon was commissioned in the Marine Corps and earned his pilot’s wings. He became a Marine Corps test pilot and a flight instructor in F4U Corsair aircraft at Lee Field, in Green Cove Springs, Florida.”
“McMahon remained in the Marine Corps Reserve after the war and was recalled to active duty during the Korean War. He was awarded six Air Medals for flying 85 combat missions over North Korea in an OE-1 unarmed observation aircraft.”
“After the Korean War, McMahon remained in the Marine Corps Reserve and retired as a Colonel in 1966.” In 1982, McMahon received a State Commission as a Brigadier General in the California Air National Guard, an honorary award to recognize his support for the National Guard and Reserve.
For many years Ed co-hosted the annual Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Ed would go on to host some of America’s favorite television shows including co-hosting with Dick Clark in “TV’s Bloopers and Practical Jokes” and the popular talent competition “Star Search.”
McMahon appeared in several films, including “The Incident”, “Fun With Dick and Jane”, “Full Moon High” and ‘Butterfly”, as well as briefly in the film version of the TV sitcom “Bewitched.”
Brigadier General Ed McMahon passed away on June 23, 2009 at the age of 86. Lest We Forget.