McHale's Navy star to win 'promotion'

WASHINGTON, Oct. 13 (UPI) -- The U.S. Navy will give actor Ernest Borgnine an honorary promotion some 60 years after he left the service.

Borgnine, best known for his title role in the television show "McHale's Navy," is coming to Washington, D.C., to serve as master of ceremonies at a concert to celebrate the Navy's 229th anniversary Saturday.

Borgnine, 87, served in the Navy for 10 years and is a World War II veteran of the Pacific theater. He left the service as a gunner's mate 1st class in 1945.

Bornine will receive an honorary promotion to chief petty officer. The promotion is billed as "special surprise," but was announced Wednesday in a nationwide press release.