Badass of the day: Paul Douglas

TL;DR:

PhD in economics from Columbia

When WWII breaks out he is a professor at the University of Chicago. Despite being a Quaker, enlists in the Marine Corps as a 50 year old Private. Becomes the oldest man to graduate Marine boot camp.

In 7 months, rises to the rank of staff sergeant, then receives a direct commission to captain. Assigned to write training manuals, he uses political influence to get assigned to combat.

Arrives in the Pacific theater, again assigned to staff position. Talks himself into being a free lance troubleshooter, showing up in the front lines to make sure the troops get what they need. Wounded twice, Bronze Star with Valor. Medically retired as lieutenant colonel

Along the way: married twice, his first wife leaving him for a lesbian relationship.

Served three terms as U.S. Senator from Illinois (his second wife served a term in the House of Representatives while he was in the Marines).

Refused to be nominated for President of the United States.

Co-authored the Cobb-Douglas Production Function, a mathematical model that measures the relationship between economic inputs and outputs.

LINK



Paul Douglas, PhD, on the rifle range.