Apocalypse Now, the acclaimed Vietnam War film directed by
Francis Ford Coppola, opened in theaters around the United
States on August 15, 1979.

The film, inspired in part by Joseph Conrad’s 1899 novella
Heart of Darkness, among other sources, told the story of an
Army captain (played by Martin Sheen) and crew of men who
are sent into the Cambodian jungle to kill a U.S. Special Forces
colonel (Marlon Brando) who has gone AWOL and is thought to
be crazy.

Apocalypse Now, which co-starred Robert Duvall and Dennis
Hopper, became notorious for its long, difficult production,
which included budget problems, shooting delays due to bad
weather on the Philippines set, a heart attack for Sheen and
a nervous breakdown for Coppola.

Despite the production hurdles, the film became a commercial
success and won two Academy Awards (Best Cinematography
and Best Sound); it received six other Oscar nominations,
including Best Director, Best Picture and Best Supporting
Actor (Duvall).

     
    
    
       
        
       
Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Halle Maria Berry began
        
her career as a model and beauty contestant 
contestant becoming Miss Ohio USA in 1986,
first runner-up in Miss USA 1986 and placing
sixth in Miss World 1986.

2017

New York City born actor and author David Duchovny is 
known for his role as iconic FBI agent Fox Mulder in
"The X-Files."

He received his breakthrough with the role of Fox Mulder
in The X-Files franchise (1993–2002; 2016–2018) receiving
international fame and earning a Golden Globe Award as
well as nominations for two Primetime Emmy Awards
and five Actor Awards.

He received another Golden Globe for his portrayal of
Hank Moody on the television series Californication
(2007–2014).

He also had a recurring role in the Twin Peaks franchise
(1990-1991, 2017) as transgender DEA agent Denise
Bryson.

Duchovny holds a B.A. degree in English literature from
Princeton University, and an M.A. in English literature
from Yale University, and has published five books.

On August 7, 1782, in Newburgh, New York, General George
Washington, the commander in chief of the Continental Army,
created the “Badge for Military Merit,” a decoration consisting
of a purple, heart-shaped piece of silk, edged with a narrow
binding of silver, with the word Merit stitched across the face
in silver. It would come to be widely known as the Purple Heart.

The badge was to be presented to soldiers for “any singularly meritorious action” and permitted its wearer to pass guards
and sentinels without challenge.

 The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located along New York State Route 300 in the town of New Windsor, New York.    

Two crewmen were, in fact, killed, but 11 survived, including
Lt. John F. Kennedy.