Although Humphrey Bogart is celebrated as one of Hollywood’s greatest actors, it’s important to also recognize his contributions after the Great War and during World War II. Despite his remarkable military service record—and the mysterious scar with various stories about its origin—Bogart’s distinguished military career may have been overshadowed by his acting fame, but it has certainly never been overlooked.
Humphrey Bogart enlisted in the US Navy
Humphrey Bogart was born on December 25, 1899, in New York City, New York. After failing out of Phillips Academy in 1918, he had no viable career options and decided to enlist in the US Navy. Sixteen days after the Armistice was signed and the Great War ended, Bogart was assigned to the troopship, USS Leviathan.
Bogart spent most of the time in the Navy ferrying troops between the United States and Europe. By all accounts, he was a model sailor during his time in the service.
Origins of Humphrey Bogart’s famous upper lip scar
Perhaps the most mysterious aspect of Humphrey Bogart’s naval career is the accident that left a (now-famous) scar on the right side of his upper lip. One account of the story states that a flying piece of shrapnel wounded Bogart while the USS Leviathan was being shelled. However, as Bogart joined the war effort after the Armistice was signed, it’s unlikely Leviathan was ever attacked.
Another account involves a German prisoner of war (POW) and a failed escape attempt. Supposedly, while transporting German POWs to the United States for incarceration, Bogart was struck in the mouth by the handcuffs of a prisoner trying to make a run for it.
In reality, the most likely explanation for Bogart’s scar is it resulted from a childhood injury. Hollywood’s movie studios may have hyped up the wartime story to make the actor seem tough.
Humphrey Bogart was honorably discharged from the US Navy
In February 1919, Humphrey Bogart was assigned to the USS Santa Olivia (SP-3125), but he missed boarding the troop transport when it departed for Europe in April 1919. Fortunately, he wasn’t labeled a deserter since he quickly reported himself to the US Navy port authority. Nonetheless, he faced a penalty of three days in solitary confinement.
Later that same year, on June 18, 1919, Bogart received an honorable discharge from the Navy. By that time, he had achieved the rank of seaman second class and was awarded a modest Victory Medal with clasp.
Volunteering with the US Coast Guard Reserve in World War II
During the Second World War, Humphrey Bogart, once again, decided to serve his nation. By the time the United States entered the conflict, he’d already established himself as an extremely successful movie actor.
In 1944, Bogart attempted to re-enlist in the US Navy, but was denied because of his age. Instead of giving up, he volunteered his yacht, Santana, to the US Coast Guard Temporary Reserve, which was used as a patrol vessel. The actor also offered to volunteer, reporting for duty once a week at Balboa, where he was tasked with patrolling the shore.
During his time with the Coast Guard, Bogart often received visits from Lauren Bacall, with whom he was having an affair. She’d often drive down to the coast to Balboa to meet him at the Coast Guard station during his break from his volunteer duty. The two would end up getting married in May 1945.
Using his military service to forward his Hollywood career
Without his military experience, Humphrey Bogart may not have reached the same level of success as an actor. During his career, he drew upon his experiences in the US Navy and Coast Guard for many of his films.
Thanks to Bogart’s real-life experience at sea, many of his scenes felt completely authentic. In Action in the North Atlantic (1943), he portrayed Lt. Joe Rossi, who brought a Merchant Marine vessel safely through a German attack, into Murmansk. At the end of All Through the Night (1942), his character stopped a Kriegsmarine motorboat filled to the brim with explosives from destroying an American battleship.
As well, in Across the Pacific (1942), Bogart’s character sailed to Panama on a Japanese ship.
Humphrey Bogart won just one Academy Award for his acting
Humphrey Bogart won just one Academy Award for acting, for his portrayal of Charlie Allnut in The African Queen (1951). For the role, he, once again, drew upon his real-life naval experience to make the character’s experiences more accurate. One could certainly argue that he wouldn’t have been such a successful and impactful actor without his military career.
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On January 14, 1957, at the age of 57, Humphrey Bogart passed away from esophageal cancer.