A Soldier's Story: Private Rod Serling



Private Rod Serling was born December 25, 1924, to Ester Cooper and Samuel Lawrence Sterling. His parents encouraged his story-telling talent, and during high school, Private Rod Serling was on the debate team, wrote for the school newspaper, and spoke at his high school graduation.

He enlisted in the US Army the day after he graduated in response to World War II  and served as a member of the 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 11th Airborne Division. Serving during combat was incredibly challenging for Private Rod Serling. However, he completed his time of service and earned a Purple Heart, a Bronze Star, and the Philippine Liberation Medal.

Private Rod Serling used the GI bill to obtain a Bachelor of Arts in Literature from Antioch College and began writing scripts for both radio and television. His best-known show is the Twilight Zone, which allowed him to portray current issues, such as racism,  from a science fiction perspective, allowing the content to bypass the censorship of the day.

Private Rod Serling has won seven Emmys, one Edgar Allan Poe Award, a Golden Globe, a Peabody, and two Writer's Guild of America Awards. He was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 1985 and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.   In 2008, he was inducted into the Science Fiction Hall of Fame.

On June 28, 1975, Private Rod Serling died and rested at the Lake View Cemetery in Interlaken, New York.

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a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller living in Salem, Virginia. 

In addition to her travel writings at www.takethebackroads.com, you can also read her book reviews at www.riteoffancy.com and US military biographies at www.everydaypatriot.com

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Location: Syracuse, NY, USA

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