If you flip through the channels and stumble upon a grainy black-and-white firefight in a French hedgerow, you aren't just looking at an old TV show. You’re looking at a revolution. Before the high-octane CGI of Saving Private Ryan, there was Combat!. It ran on ABC from 1962 to 1967, and honestly, the cast of Combat TV series did something most modern ensembles fail to do: they made you feel the damp, cold mud in your boots.
This wasn't your typical "Hollywood" war where the heroes never missed and the uniforms stayed pressed. It was dirty. It was loud. And most importantly, it was led by a group of men who actually knew what a rifle felt like because many of them had carried one for real.
The Dual Leadership: Hanley and Saunders
You've gotta understand the dynamic between the two leads. It’s what made the show tick. Initially, the producers weren't sure who should be the "top" star. Rick Jason and Vic Morrow eventually agreed to a rotating billing system. One week the credits said "Starring Rick Jason," and the next, "Starring Vic Morrow." Simple, yet it prevented the kind of ego clashes that usually kill a hit show.
Rick Jason as Lt. Gil Hanley
Rick Jason played the guy in charge, 2nd Lt. Gil Hanley. He was the classic "officer and a gentleman," but with a hard edge. Jason himself was a veteran of the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, so he didn’t have to fake the military bearing.
He was the strategic brain. While Saunders was in the thick of it, Hanley was often the one dealing with the brass or leading the larger movements of King Company. Jason brought a certain dignity to the role. He wasn't just a soldier; he was a leader who actually cared if his men made it back to the barn at night.
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Vic Morrow as Sgt. "Chip" Saunders
Then there was Vic Morrow. If Hanley was the brain, Saunders was the soul—and the muscle. With his iconic Thompson submachine gun and that signature "camo" helmet cover, Morrow became the face of the series.
Funny thing about Morrow: he actually hated guns. He wasn't a fan of handling them at all, which is wild considering he’s arguably the most famous non-commissioned officer in TV history. He was a Method actor who studied under Paul Mann and brought an intensity that was frankly unheard of on 1960s television. When Saunders screamed an order, you didn't just hear it; you felt it.
The Squad: More Than Just Background Actors
What really solidified the cast of Combat TV series as legendary was the supporting squad. These weren't just "Red Shirts" waiting to get picked off. They were distinct characters with backstories that mattered.
- Pierre Jalbert (Caje): The Cajun translator. Jalbert was actually a world-class skier and a film editor (he later worked on The Godfather!). He brought a quiet, European-adjacent vibe to the squad that was essential for a show set in France.
- Jack Hogan (Kirby): Every squad has a grumbler. Kirby was the B.A.R. (Browning Automatic Rifle) man who complained about everything but would die for his buddies. Hogan played him with a perfect mix of cynicism and loyalty.
- Dick Peabody (Littlejohn): Standing at 6'6", Peabody was the gentle giant. He provided the physical presence the squad needed, often serving as the emotional anchor when things got too bleak.
- Conlan Carter (Doc): Replacing Steven Rogers (who played the original Doc Walton), Carter’s "Doc" became a series staple. He was nominated for an Emmy in 1964—a huge deal for a supporting actor in an action show. He played the medic with a weary, soulful exhaustion that perfectly captured the toll of the war.
Why the Authenticity Worked
Most people don't realize that before filming started, the core cast of Combat TV series was sent to Fort Ord for basic training. They didn't just go for a photo op. They lived in the barracks, crawled through the mud, and learned how to move like actual infantrymen.
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Rick Jason once noted in his autobiography, Scrapbooks of My Mind, that the training for the show was actually more intense than his actual WWII service. That's saying something. This commitment to realism is why military veterans still cite Combat! as one of the most accurate depictions of small-unit tactics ever put on screen.
The show also benefited from incredible direction. A young Robert Altman directed ten episodes in the first season, bringing his signature style of overlapping dialogue and gritty atmosphere. You can see the seeds of MASH* and his later masterpieces in the way he handled the squad's interactions.
Guest Stars and Future Legends
If you watch old episodes today, it’s basically a game of "Spot the Future Star." The show was a magnet for talent. We’re talking about people like:
- James Caan
- Robert Duvall
- Charles Bronson (who actually flew 25 combat missions in the Pacific for real)
- Telly Savalas
- Leonard Nimoy
They weren't just doing cameos; they were playing complex roles—sometimes as desperate German soldiers, sometimes as doomed GIs. It gave the series a "prestige" feel before prestige TV was even a term people used.
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The End of an Era
The show eventually moved to color in its fifth season, but many purists (myself included) think the black-and-white years were the best. The shadows were deeper, the mud looked colder, and the stakes felt higher.
The tragedy that often hangs over the legacy of the cast of Combat TV series is the fate of its leads. Vic Morrow was killed in a horrific helicopter accident on the set of Twilight Zone: The Movie in 1982. Rick Jason took his own life in 2000, just a week after a Combat! reunion. It’s a heavy ending for two men who spent five years portraying survival against the odds.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Historians
If you're looking to dive deeper into the world of King Company, don't just stop at the reruns. Here is how you can truly appreciate the work of this cast:
- Watch the "Altman" Episodes: Look for Season 1 episodes like "Forgotten Front." Notice how the camera moves and how the actors talk over each other. It’s a masterclass in ensemble directing.
- Compare the Gear: Look at the uniforms. Unlike other 60s shows, the Combat! cast wears gear that is period-correct and, more importantly, looks used.
- Read the Memoirs: If you can find a copy, Rick Jason’s Scrapbooks of My Mind gives a candid look at the behind-the-scenes politics and the genuine brotherhood shared by the men.
- Focus on the Guest Stars: Pick an episode with a young Robert Duvall or James Caan. It's fascinating to see these titans of cinema cutting their teeth in the trenches of the MGM backlot.
The cast of Combat TV series didn't just make a show about war; they made a show about men. They captured the boredom, the fear, and the small moments of humanity that occur between the explosions. That’s why, sixty years later, we’re still talking about them.
To get the most out of your next viewing, pay attention to the "silent" acting. Watch Pierre Jalbert’s face when he’s translating, or the way Dick Peabody carries his gear. The physical language of these actors tells a story that the script alone never could.