seems like his studio lobbied to keep him out because he was a big money maker. wayne did the usual tours of the troops as morale builder tho as did many major stars and celebrities of the day

Here's a link to a good summary of Wayne and WW II

https://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/1055/was-john-wayne-a-draft-dodger/

Rear Admiral John Ford.

.... that ranged from the old trick knee, to he had a wife and kids to feed, to the studio won't let me out of my contract, to even saying he misplaced his enlistment forms.

The guy was a major league Chickenhawk and McCarthyiite snitch who overcompensated with his anti communism to make up for his cowardice.

He was a hypocritical family values Republican who cheated on wives and couldn't stay married.

Even John Ford used to call him out on his BS excuses for not serving. Other big actors overcame the same "hurdles" he claimed to have blocking his service. Jimmy Stewart, Clark Gable etc. Even Ronny Raygun served in the film branch.

Liked him in In Harms Way though

And football before that. I doubt if his back was up to going to war. That may have been that he consumed lots of liquor every night after filming. He apparently did take a physical and either the army didn't want him or they thought he might be a kidnap target. But I think it was his back. Read up on the backs of the men who died with Custer at Little Big Horn.