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John Rambo facts for kids

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John Rambo
Rambo character
סילבסטר סטלונה.jpg
Sylvester Stallone as John Rambo in
Rambo III (1988)
First appearance First Blood (1972)
Last appearance Rogue Company (2022)
Created by David Morrell
Portrayed by Sylvester Stallone
Voiced by
Information
Nickname(s)
  • Johnny (by Trautman)
  • Boatman (by Lewis)
  • Uncle John (by Gabrielle)
  • Juanito (by Hugo Martinez)
Occupation United States Army Special Forces MACV-SOG (former)
Family
  • Reevis Rambo (father)
  • Helga Rambo (mother)
  • Gabriela Beltran (adoptive niece)
Relatives
  • Colonel Sam Trautman (Mentor and father figure)
Religion Catholic/Buddhist
Nationality American
Birthplace Bowie, Arizona
Accolades
Rank Captain

John James Rambo is a famous fictional character. He is the main hero in the Rambo book and film series. The character first appeared in the 1972 novel First Blood by David Morrell. However, he became much more famous when Sylvester Stallone played him in the movies. Stallone's acting made Rambo a well-known character around the world.

The name "Rambo" is now often used to describe someone who is very tough and acts alone. This person might be reckless and use force to solve problems. They often go into dangerous situations by themselves.

Rambo's Story

John Rambo was born on July 6, 1947, in Bowie, Arizona. His father was Reevis Rambo and his mother was Helga Rambo. In the films, Rambo is said to have Native American and German roots. The book version says his father was Italian and his mother was Navajo.

Joining the Army

Rambo joined the U.S. Army when he was 17, in August 1964. He finished high school in 1965. His military service officially began in January 1966. Rambo was sent to South Vietnam in September 1966. He came back to the U.S. in 1967. Then, he started special training with the U.S. Army Special Forces. This training happened at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and his teacher was Colonel Samuel Trautman.

Vietnam War Experiences

In late 1969, Rambo went back to Vietnam. He was part of a special group called a SOG brigade. He joined a special unit that did long-range patrols, meaning they went deep into enemy territory. Colonel Trautman led this team, which was called Baker Team. It usually had eight soldiers.

In November 1971, Rambo's unit was suddenly attacked by enemy forces. Rambo and some other soldiers who survived were captured. They were held in a POW camp near the Chinese-Vietnamese border. Many other American prisoners were also there. Rambo managed to escape in May 1972. He asked to be sent back to duty right away. Rambo officially left the military on September 27, 1974. He was likely a Captain when he left.

Returning Home

When Rambo returned to the United States, he found that many people did not welcome soldiers from Vietnam. He felt that he and other returning soldiers were treated badly. His experiences in Vietnam and back home caused him to struggle with difficult memories. This is known as post-traumatic stress disorder. He found it hard to fit back into normal life. The movie First Blood starts at this point in his story.

Rambo's Impact on Culture

John Rambo is seen as a cultural icon. This means he is a very important and recognizable figure in popular culture. He influenced many action heroes and movies in the 1980s and 1990s. The name "Rambo" became a common word in the English language. You can use it as a noun, an adjective, or even a verb.

The word "Rambo" is even in the Oxford English Dictionary. It describes a Vietnam War veteran who is tough, independent, and uses violence to get revenge. People also use words like "Ramboesque" or "Ramboism" to describe attitudes and behaviors similar to Rambo's.

The Rambo film series also made the idea of the One Man Army popular in movies. This is where one highly trained person can defeat many enemies by themselves. Rambo's weapons, like his large knife and bow, also became famous parts of American pop culture.

Awards and Medals

John Rambo earned many important awards and medals for his bravery and service in the military. These include:

He also received many other medals and badges. These show his skills and courage as a soldier.

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: John Rambo para niños

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