Lees spent over 6 years in the Marine Corps after joining at age 18. He was at Corregidor during the WWII Japanese attack and was captured and held prison er. Lees was blinded by picric acid in enemy artillery shells. He received some 32 military decorations and ribbons, including the Legion of Merit. Despite his lack of vision, Lees learned to act and signed a contract with Paramount. He would memorize script dialog by having someone read it to him twice.

Lees co-authored the book "Soo Chow the Marine", (Putnam & Co., 1951), with actor Reginald Owen.