From the S&S archives: John Wayne scouts Okinawa for Green Beret film sites

(Click on thumbnail image to vie larger version of photo) John Wayne, during a press conference on Okinawa in April, 1967. The actor was on the island to scout locations for his upcoming film, "The Green Berets." John Wayne visits patients at the U.S. Army Hospital on Okinawa. John Wayne signs an autograph for Sfc. Gerald J. Madden. "Put 'er there, Duke" ... John Wayne makes the rounds visiting patients at the U.S. Army Hospital on Okinawa. John Wayne with patients at the U.S. Army Hospital. John Wayne stops at the mess hall for a meal during his visit to the U.S. Army Hospital on Okinawa. John Wayne walks through the U.S. Army Hospital mess. A servicemember peers into the room to get a look at John Wayne in mid-bite ... ... and Wayne turns and waves. John Wayne signs an autograph for Sp4 George L. Vazquez.

NAHA, Okinawa - Film star John Wayne and director Ray Kellogg flew back to the U.S. Wednesday after a one-day visit here in search of location sites for a new film to be shot this summer about the Green Berets.

Wayne at a press conference told newsmen the script for the new film has already been approved by the Defense Department, but it is not yet definite whether the film will be shot on Okinawa or in Thailand, which they also visited in search of location sites.

He said if the producer of the film decides to shoot on Okinawa, Okinawans will be used as extras in t h e film, about Special Forces activities in Vietnam, especially their efforts to help the civilians in that wartorn country.

Wayne said he found good location sites in the Marine training area in northern Okinawa.

He said if the film is shot on Okinawa, he and his staff will arrive sometime in July and stay about three months.

On the subject of Vietnam, Wayne said he stands firmly behind U.S. policy there, adding that much progress is being made by both Americans and the Vietnamese too establish a democratic government in that country.