Iraq War Veteran to Become Action Figure

SFC Jerry Wolford, a Silver Star recipient, is going to be the model for a new action figure.

[Army Sgt. 1st Class Jerry] Wolford, who used to own about 200 action figures, will now become one. He will model for a new line of figures based on the sequel to “America’s Army,” an online video game released by the Army in 2002 as a recruiting tool. The “America’s Army: Real Heroes” sequel allows players to fight as actual decorated soldiers, such as Wolford. The game will feature nine soldiers, including a woman, said Lori Mezoff, a spokeswoman for the game venture. The soldiers also will be used to create a line of action figures based on the game.

Wolford, as a member of the Fort Bragg-based 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, received a Silver Star for a firefight in the southern Iraqi town of Samawah. According to the award citation, Wolford put himself in harm’s way to help the wounded, redistributing weapons and equipment and coordinating fire for the machine guns.

This is a terrific marketing campaign on part of the military. Guys like Wolford and the late SFC Paul Smith are in the same heroic tradition as predecessors like Sgt. Alvin York and 2LT Audie Murphy, even if they are fighting in a less popular war.

Related:

Previously at OTB:

FILED UNDER: Guns and Gun Control, Uncategorized, ,
James Joyner
About James Joyner
James Joyner is Professor and Department Head of Security Studies at Marine Corps University's Command and Staff College. He's a former Army officer and Desert Storm veteran. Views expressed here are his own. Follow James on Twitter @DrJJoyner.