The official news releases for Gomer Pyle's Promotion
Images taken by USMC Combat Photographers Sgt. Dustin W. Senger and Cpl. Liz Herrera

Pvt Gomer Pyle Gets an Official Promotion Lance Corporal Gomer Pyle

CNN News ... 8 August 2001

Give that Gomer a medal

HONOLULU, Hawaii -- Gomer Pyle's hard work and honesty are paying off -- finally.

The title character in the popular sitcom that started airing in 1964 is being promoted to lance corporal on Thursday (Aug 9, 2001), according to The Associated Press. Jim Nabors, the actor who played Pyle, is to receive the honor from Gen. James Jones, commandant of the Marine Corps, at a private ceremony at Camp H.M. Smith on Oahu.

"I told the general I don't know if I should accept this -- it's just too much
power," says Nabors, 71. "At this stage of my life, it's almost too much to think about what it could lead to."

The idea for the promotion came from Jones when he met Nabors earlier this year, Nabors said.

Jones, Nabors says, "was laughing about it and said, 'You never even made it past the rank of private!' He said, `We should really do something about this.'"

Other Marines apparently think the promotion is long overdue.

"Even though Gomer wasn't the sharpest knife in the drawer," says Marine spokesman Chuck Little, "he maintained all the attributes that a Marine is supposed to have. He was honest, trustworthy and always gave 100 percent."

HONOLULU, Hawaii August 9, 2001 (AP) -- Surprise, surprise, surprise!

After 37 years, fictional Pfc. Gomer Pyle on Thursday achieved the promotion to lance corporal that eluded him during five years in the Marine Corps on the popular television sitcom in the 1960s.

Actor Jim Nabors, who starred in CBS's "Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C," was pinned with the lance corporal insignia, a PFC stripe with crossed rifles, by Gen. James Jones, commandant of the Marine Corps.

It took place during a no-nonsense ceremony on a parade ground at Camp H.M. Smith, headquarters of the Marine Forces Pacific and the U.S. Pacific Command.

"Sgt. Carter would be amazed," said Jones, adding that personnel in other services probably are asking: "What in the world are the Marines doing today?'

Although Gomer Pyle, the Mayberry service station attendant Nabors created on "The Andy Griffith Show," had trouble adjusting to the Marine Corps, he displayed the attributes of a good Marine, Jones said.

"He's honest and embodies integrity. He is filled with determination. He extensively attempts to do the right thing in every circumstance. He is selfless ... and he is loyal to a fault," he said.

Nabors, 71, who lives in Honolulu, told the 300 Marines and family members attending the ceremony that reruns of "Gomer Pyle" have given him celebrity with a new generation.

While walking through O'Hare Airport in Chicago recently, he heard a passing boy say: "Look, mother, there's an old Gomer Pyle."

Nabors said Gomer wasn't stupid like many people thought "but actually it was he only wanted to see the good side of everybody and everything."

"I'm very honored that Gen. Jones did this. It was a total surprise to me," Nabors said.

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