MEDAL: Clint Eastwood can be so damn gruff and crusty, yet he never ceases to tug at our heartstrings. His role as a Korean War vet in Gran Torino had us bawling like a baby, and now here he comes hiring real-life heroes to play themselves in a Hollywood film. Give this man a medal. In his new film, “The 15:17 to Paris,” Eastwood will tell the true story of former Air Force Staff Sgt. Spencer Stone, Oregon National Guard Spc. Alek Skarlatos and civilian Anthony Sadler, the three men who tackled a terrorist on a train traveling to Paris in 2015. In a stroke of brilliance, the three men will play themselves. These men don’t have real acting chops (although Skarlatos placed third in season 21 of “Dancing with the Stars”), but they clearly have grit. With Eastwood behind the camera, that’s all they need. Sidenote: Eastwood also cast Jaleel White, aka the guy who played Steve Urkel in Family Matters, in the film. We’ll just have to trust Eastwood on that call.

Medals & Misfires is a new opinion feature from the Military Times editorial staff. Medals signify a job well done. Misfires signify a major blunder.

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