Real Name/Secret Identity:
Benjamin Hayes Vandervoort
Universe/Franchise:
The Longest Day
First Appearance:
The Longest Day (1962)
Abilities:
Storming the beaches of Normandy
Occupation:
Lt. Col., Commander 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Reg.
Base of Operations:
Washington, D.C.
Dirty Details Done Dirt Cheap:
Colonel Benjamin 'Vandy' Vandervoort was an American soldier who fought in World War II, leading the 2nd Battlion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment in airborne landings during the invasion of Normandy, otherwise known as D-Day. He was wounded by mortar fire in Goronne and was unable to participate in the division's pursuit to Germany. Vandervoort was described by a fellow officer as "one of the bravest and toughest battle commanders I ever knew." He retired from the U.S. Army in 1946 and later worked for the CIA. He is portrayed by John Wayne in The Longest Day; at the time of filming, Wayne was 22 years older than Vandervoort himself had been during D-Day.
