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Lee Van Cleef is best remembered as the sharp-featured villain in classic Westerns. With his piercing gaze and menacing presence, he became a legend on the silver screen. But before Hollywood, he was a real-life hero, serving his country with distinction during World War II.
A Young Patriot Joins the Fight
Born on January 9, 1925, in Somerville, New Jersey, Clarence LeRoy “Lee” Van Cleef Jr. was drawn to service from a young age. He graduated high school early to enlist in the U.S. Navy, eager to contribute as the war raged on.
After completing basic training in 1942, he trained as a sonar operator and was stationed on the submarine chaser USS SC-681. For nearly a year, he patrolled the Caribbean, hunting German U-boats. His skills and dedication earned him a promotion to sonarman second class, leading to further specialized training in Key West, Florida.
Clearing the Way for Allied Forces
Van Cleef’s next assignment took him to Savannah, Georgia, where he joined the pre-commissioning crew of the USS Incredible (AM-249), a minesweeper. The ship embarked on a shakedown cruise along the East Coast before heading to Europe for the Allied invasion of southern France.
In September 1944, his ship played a critical role in clearing enemy mines along the French coastline. The crew also helped thwart a German human torpedo attack on Allied vessels. Van Cleef excelled in his role, mastering sonar operations and interpreting vital underwater data with precision.
From the Mediterranean to the Pacific
After six months in Europe, the USS Incredible was deployed to the Black Sea, working out of a Soviet naval base in Crimea. There, Van Cleef’s crew cleared mines and conducted air-sea rescue missions before sailing to Palermo, Italy, and eventually returning to Norfolk, Virginia.
By July 1945, the ship set course for the Pacific, where it took part in Operation Skagway, a post-war mission to clear mines in the East China Sea and the Ryukyu Islands. Van Cleef’s service came to an honorable end in 1946 when he was discharged with the rank of sonarman first class. He received multiple commendations, including the Bronze Star, the World War II Victory Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal.
A New Stage: Hollywood
Returning to civilian life, Van Cleef took an unexpected path—acting. He started in community theater in New Jersey before catching the eye of a Manhattan talent scout. His film debut came in 1952’s High Noon, starring Gary Cooper. Though he was offered a larger role if he agreed to alter his appearance, he refused, settling for a smaller but memorable villainous part.
His distinct features and intense screen presence made him a natural in Westerns. Over the next decade, he became a go-to bad guy in movies and television, appearing in Annie Oakley, The Rifleman, and Gunsmoke.
Stardom and Beyond
In 1965, famed director Sergio Leone cast him opposite Clint Eastwood in For a Few Dollars More, followed by The Good, the Bad and the Ugly in 1966. These roles cemented his status as a Western legend. He went on to star in Death Rides a Horse (1967), Day of Anger (1967), and Sabata (1969), among many others.
Even as the Western genre evolved, Van Cleef remained in demand. He played Police Commissioner Bob Hauk in Escape from New York (1981) and appeared alongside Chuck Norris in The Octagon (1980).
A Lasting Legacy
Van Cleef never stopped working, amassing 90 film credits and 109 television appearances. But on December 16, 1989, he suffered a fatal heart attack at his home in California. Throat cancer was listed as a secondary cause.
From a Navy war hero to one of the most recognizable faces in Western cinema, Lee Van Cleef left behind a legacy of resilience, dedication, and unforgettable performances. His life story, both on and off the screen, remains an enduring testament to his unwavering spirit.
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