G.I. Joe character | |
Gung-Ho | |
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Affiliation | G.I. Joe |
Specialty | Marine, SgtMaj |
File name | LaFitte, Ettienne R. |
Birthplace | Fer-de-Lance, LA |
SN | MC56488390 |
Rank | E-7 (Gunnery Sergeant, USMC) |
Primary MOS | Recondo |
Secondary MOS | Jungle Warfare Training Instructor |
Subgroups | Mega Marines Desert Patrol Squad |
Voiced by | Chris Latta (Sunbow) Charlie Adler (Resolute) |
Year introduced | 1983 |
Gung-Ho is a fictional character from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toyline, comic books, and cartoon series. He is the G.I. Joe Team's original Marine and debuted in 1983.
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Gung-Ho's real name is Ettienne R. LaFitte, and his rank was originally that of a Marine Gunnery Sergeant E-7. He was later promoted to Sergeant Major E-9 (USMC). Gung-Ho was born into a large Cajun clan, in the fictional Fer-de-Lance, Louisiana. He eventually moved to New Orleans, earning a reputation as a bare-knuckle brawler and knife fighter. He joined the Marines at age 18, and was the distinguished honor graduate from Marine Corps boot camp at Parris Island. Gung-Ho has attended Airborne School, Recon School, Marine Ordinance School, Administration School at Camp Johnson, and is a qualified expert in all NATO infantry small arms, and the XM-76 grenade launcher.[1]
Gung-Ho was first released as an action figure in 1983.[2]
Gung-Ho was released as an action figure in his dress blues uniform in 1987.[3]
A new version of Gung-Ho was released in 1992.[4] The figure was repainted and released as part of the Battle Corps line in 1993.
A new version of Gung-Ho was released as an action figure in 1993, as part of the "Mega Marines" subset. The Mega-Marines are several Joes teaming up to battle Cobra-allied monsters. His figure came with "moldable bio-armor".[5]
In 2004, he was released as part of the Toys R Us exclusive "Desert Patrol Squad" set, which also included the figures Ambush, Dusty, Snake-Eyes, Stalker and Tunnel Rat.[6]
In the Marvel Comics G.I. Joe series, he first appeared in G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #11 (May 1983) where it was revealed that he has a kid sister who is a successful child model. In the same issue, he helps defeat Cobra forces who were spreading a plague and stealing valuable radioactive materials.[7]
He is one of many Joes sent to Sierra Gordo in an attempt to clear up multiple hotspots. The Baroness almost kills his entire group with a bombing run from a Rattler but they escape unharmed. The Baroness also bombs a nearby island, making the Joes think they just witnessed the death of Snake Eyes.[8]
He was one of the Joes picked to guard Cobra Commander. The ninja Storm Shadow eventually frees the Commander who escapes to safety. Storm Shadow and Gung-Ho injure each other during the incident. Storm Shadow is defeated and captured by Roadblock.[9]
An attempt at relaxation leads Gung-Ho and Blowtorch to confront Crimson Guardsmen at a local fair.[10]
During Cobra's first civil war (both take place on Cobra Island) Gung-Ho is part of an advanced recon team. They go through multiple incidents of trouble such as almost being caught by Iron Grenadiers and taking over Cobra's air traffic control tower. The latter allows a Joe landing force to arrive.[11]
In the Action Force comic line, Gung-Ho is badly wounded by Storm Shadow during a confrontation in a Cobra base. He lives, but must receive long-term medical attention.[12]
He is featured in the first four issues of the Devil's Due series G.I. Joe: Frontlines, which chronicles the last mission of the original run of the G.I. Joe team. Along with others, he battles various Cobra forces in order to keep valuable technology out of their hands. This takes the Joes all the way to Destro's 'Silent Castle' in Trans-Carpathia.[13]
He is one of the few initially brought back when the G.I. Joe team is reinstated in 2001. The old Joes meet the new group of trainees, the 'Greenshirts' who they will be commanding.[14] Gung-Ho then joins in on the attack on the multi-Cobra force stationed in the Dreadnoks complex in the Florida Everglades.[15] Gung-Ho and the other Joes become contaminated by multi-function nanites set off by Major Bludd. Thanks to the efforts of Lifeline, Mainframe, and recruited civilians, they are soon cured.[16]
Gung-Ho appeared in the original G.I. Joe animated series.[17] He first appeared in the animated series in the "A Real American Hero" mini-series. He was voiced by the late Chris Latta in a southern accent, despite the fact that he is of French Cajun ancestry.[18]
Gung-Ho plays a minor but critical role in G.I. Joe: The Movie. Bazooka, Alpine, and Gung-Ho are charged with guarding the captured Serpentor. Lt. Falcon is supposed to be guarding the front, but leaves his post. As a result, all three Joes are attacked by the Dreadnoks and Nemesis Enforcer. Gung-Ho sounds the alarm before Serpentor escapes.[19]
Gung-Ho appeared in the direct-to-video CGI animated movie G.I. Joe: Valor vs. Venom, voiced by Scott McNeil.
Gung-Ho is one of the featured characters in the 1985 G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero computer game.[20] He is a non-playable supporting character in the 1992 game G.I. Joe: The Atlantis Factor.[21]
Gung-Ho appears as a playable character in the video game G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra.
Gung-Ho is a featured character in the 'Find Your Fate' novel 'G.I. Joe and the Everglades Swamp Terror' produced by Ballantine Books.[22]
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