#43: Pat Sajak

Rank: Specialist, 5th Class, US Army American Forces Vietnam Network

Duration: 2 Years

Pat Sajak, renowned as the host of Wheel of Fortune, embarked on a lesser-known journey before his television career. In 1968, during the Vietnam War era, Sajak enlisted in the United States Army. Initially assigned as a finance clerk, he later transitioned to a role as a disc jockey for armed-forces radio, where he entertained troops for 18 months.

Sajak’s military service offered him diverse experiences, from administrative duties to boosting morale through radio broadcasts. His inadvertent blunder during President Nixon’s 1969 Christmas broadcast became a humorous anecdote, revealing a lesser-known chapter in the life of the beloved game show host.