Jimmy Stewart
One of Hollywood’s greatest actors who starred in many movies that became enduring classics, James “Jimmy” Stewart (1908 – 1997) was known for a down-to-earth mannerism that helped him excel in portraying middle-class American men, diffident and resolute of character, as they struggled with crises. Notable among the more than 80 movies in which he appeared are his roles in the Christmas standby It’s a Wonderful Life, as well as Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Vertigo, and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance. He was nominated for five Oscars and won one for Best Actor for his role in 1940’s Philadelphia Story, and was awarded another Oscar in 1985 for Lifetime Achievement. When WWII came along, he took a break from acting to bomb Nazis, before resuming his illustrious career.
He got his performing start in shows with a drama group at Princeton University, from which he graduated in 1932. He then dove into acting, and by 1933, was performing on Broadway. In 1935, he landed a contract with MGM and headed west to Hollywood, and the following year, had his first breakthrough as a lead actor in a popular musical comedy, The Dancer.
By the time America joined WWII, Stewart was an established Hollywood star. It would have been easy for him, as others from Hollywood had done, to avoid service altogether – John, cough, Wayne – or secure a safe military gig that allowed him to be seen in uniform while staying away from danger – cough, cough, Reagan. But Stewart’s grandfather had fought against the South, and his father had fought against both Spain and Germany, so when war came along, it was natural for Stewart to go off to fight.
He had been drafted into the Army in 1940 but was medically rejected for being underweight. However, Stewart was a flight enthusiast who had secured his pilot’s certificate in 1935 and had accumulated over 400 hours flying by the time WWII began. He managed to enlist in the Army Air Forces in 1941, despite being underweight, and after graduating from a pilot training program 1942, was commissioned a second lieutenant.
Higher-ups sought to shunt him into PR and put his celebrity to use in bonds drives and rally appearances, but Stewart wanted a combat assignment. After many travails and clashes with commanders, he managed a transfer into a B-24 heavy bomber group, which joined the US Eighth Air Force in Britain in autumn of 1943. On December 13, 1943, Stewart flew his first combat mission, piloting the lead B-24 of the group’s high squadron as they bombed U-boat facilities in Kiel, Germany, and a few days later, flew lead bomber for the entire group as they bombed Bremen. By February 1944, Stewart had been promoted to major and was awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross.
The following month, he led an entire Bomb Wing during a raid on Berlin, and by the end of March, was assigned as operations officer for a newly formed bomb group. Although his assignment meant he was not required to fly combat missions, he sought to inspire and encourage his new unit by personally piloting the lead B-24 on a number of raids deep into the Third Reich, and served as a crewman on other missions. His actions earned him a second Distinguished Flying Cross, a French Croix de Guerre, an Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters, and other decorations.
After the war, Stewart returned to Hollywood but served with the US Air Force Reserves. Keeping current with new bombers, he was certified to pilot B-36 Peacemakers, B-47 Stratojets, and B-52 Stratofortresses. He was promoted to colonel in 1953 and given reserve command of Dobbins Air Force base in Georgia, and by 1959, had been promoted to brigadier general, and retired in 1968.