John Wayne was one of the most popular American actor and filmmaker. He personified the American Way and the ideals of his time. He was born May 26, 1907, in Winterset (Iowa) as Marion Robert Morrison (aka. Marion Mitchell Morrison and by his byname "Duke"). John Wayne grew up in Southern California and became world-famous due to his roles as cowboys and soldiers. He also acted together with German actress Marlene Dietrich, therefore, also well-known in Germany.

He is an American Icon due to his courage and patriotism, even though some would argue that he shared some bigoted views. However, certain circumstances need to be taken into consideration before anyone judges American Idol John Wayne. First, he must be given credit for his belief in a nation, bound together by patriotism and people who share the same views, no matter of their background, although, this was an ideology, ahead of time, which may have gained little support from U.S. citizens who were not white. This is an understandable circumstance if someone takes the historical context of the 40s and 50s into account. After World War II, U.S. citizens of other origins than white had other difficulties to cope with, namely social participation and acceptance, fought out in the civil rights movement.  Furthermore, critics of John Wayne should take into consideration that his views were also highly influenced by cold war combat between American ideals and the threat of communism. Where people sought peace through appeasement, Wayne understood the danger of a spreading communist system and therefore, supported the Vietnam War. A war that gained little public support and was condemned from the very beginning. Moreover, there is no denying that the very foundation of the United States was designed by U.S. Patriots of white origin without arguing right now that U.S. citizens of other origins are less equal. The architecture of the United States allowed it for everyone to give their contribution to form a better union. The construction of the American house was never an easy undertaking, but as long as the very foundation of liberty, as stated in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, keeps untouched, our house stands strong. Today, there are different groups, supported by foreigners, who do have another vision of the American house, based on religious, racist and even economic ideologies. Therefore, it is our all duty to stand strong and keep this house an American one, where people from all over the world can make it their home as long as they keep their hands of that foundation. John Wayne died in 1979, leaving us numerous films of American heroism. Whether Wayne shared some bigoted beliefs, or not, remains to be answered by scholars. In this millennium, in which American nationalism further evolved, Wayne's works should be honored in the nation's memory to the highest importance. He is already an American legend because of his high performance and his great skills as a songwriter, evidence which can also be found in his songs, one of them is called  "Face the Flag". It is a masterpiece of the Red, White and Blue!