For those of us who served in the military during World War II, it is a travesty for Bill O’Reilly to call draft dodger John Wayne a hero (“When Americans Valued True Grit,” PostOpinion, Dec. 31).

While many male Hollywood stars served valiantly during the war, Wayne was safe at home, doing movies for Republic Studios.

Frank Murray

Manhattan

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Wayne, the first man of “True Grit,” did one heck of a job in always playing the good guy.

Wayne’s pictures exemplified the meaning of being a true American. Today’s movies can’t compare.

Richard Homer Bucco

Bloomfield, NJ

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O’Reilly’s review of the movie “True Grit” is terrific. He writes about the image of the American hero — both then and now.

The image has changed, like our country itself, which is very sad and even dangerous.

America has lost its hero, both on the screen and in real life.

Lev Litsin

Manhattan