Yes, Alan Alda did serve in the Korean War.
Alan Alda's Military Service
Prior to his celebrated acting career, Alan Alda fulfilled military service, including a tour during the Korean War. His journey began while he was in college, where he enrolled in the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC). This program prepared him for a commission in the U.S. Army.
Following his graduation, Alda continued his training at Fort Benning, Georgia, where he spent a year honing his military skills. Subsequently, as an Army Reserve artillery officer, Alda was deployed to Korea. He completed a six-month tour of duty during the Korean War.
This period of service significantly predates his iconic role as Captain Benjamin "Hawkeye" Pierce in the critically acclaimed television series MASH*, a show ironically set during the very conflict in which he served. His personal experience, though not explicitly detailed in the series, provided a unique perspective that may have subtly informed his portrayal of a military surgeon in a combat zone.
Key Aspects of Alda's Service:
- Enrollment: Enrolled in the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) during his college years.
- Training: Completed a year of training at Fort Benning, Georgia, after graduation.
- Role: Served as an Army Reserve artillery officer.
- Deployment: Completed a six-month tour of duty during the Korean War.
