Back to Aviation - Jimmy Stewart's Military Career

Jimmy Stewart's Military Career

Anyone have any interesting stories? I have read a bit here and there, but seems to be a few open areas that are not covered in books. Was he just a very priviliged celeb that rose in the ranks? or did he actually have the right stuff to last in the military and rise to a General?

Any imput?

His first posting in the U.S. Army Air Forces was at Moffett Field, California. His final mission in the U.S. Air Force before retirement was a bombing mission over Vietnam that he specifically requested as a close for his military career.

Jimmy Stewart was in the Air Force. I knew that; it's not a big secret. He was a general; again, I knew that, it's not a secret either. But he served in combat, at a time when he didn't have to, and was something of a hero. *That* was news to me, and frankly I'm somewhat surprised at how far into the warzone he got, and what he was able to do once he got there.

Stewart led 20 missions over Germany and occupied Europe during World War II, and flew one during the early days of the Viet Nam War, also (truly a surprise to me). He was apparently regarded by the other officers and men of the various outfits he served with as intelligent, brave, and very cool under fire, in addition to being more than a bit lucky.

[Django]

He deserved it all as far as I'm concerned.

[Mike]

A very interesting topic. There are two books out at the moment that provide interesting alternate viewpoints. One, 'Jimmy Stewart: Bomber Pilot' by Starr Smith says that he would probably have commanded a Group had the war continued much longer, the other ('Jimmy Stewart: A Biography' by Marc Eliot) says that he was completely burned out and close to complete breakdown by the end of the war.

Regardless, he flew 20 combat missions, rose to the rank of Colonel in the regular USAAF (and Brigadier General in the USAF Reserve post-war), and seems to have been well respected by those he served with. Certainly someone with 'The Right Stuff', I'd say.

[TOM WALSH]

As the Aircraft Commander, it was Captain Stewart's perrogative to name his B-24H.

Most bomber pilots, with little input from the rest of the crew, chose their girlfriend, mother, hometown or state when it came to aircraft naming rights.

In Stewart's case, he chose the name "Tenofus", reflecting the ten person crew his Liberator carried!

I do not know what else you can say about the man's tremendous character when you hear a story like that!

Cheers,
Tom Walsh.

[tom d. friedman]

stewart paid his dues, he didn't use his celebrity status to buck the training, speed promotions, b.s. etc. an officer & a gentleman all the way.

[snafubar]

stewart paid his dues, he didn't use his celebrity status to buck the training, speed promotions, b.s. etc. an officer & a gentleman all the way.

Very true, and he wouldn't allow his war and/or military record to be used for showbiz publicity purposes either.

He had to fight his way into combat from what I understand. The AAF wanted him to make films for training
and morale purposes, but after a while he pushed for a combat assignment. Perhaps Mike or someone
else who has either of those two biographies can provide more particulars.

Here's a photo that was on epay sometime back, showing Stewart and his crew while he was with the 445th BG.



Whether he was close to breaking down or not, he certainly did look a bit haggard. But I think half the guys in
the Eighth looked like this at one time or another!



Stewart also flew another B-24 named 'Male Call' while with the 453rd BG. You can see some images of that
ship on B-24 Best Web. It's the second listing.

Not too long ago I bumped into someone online whose father was a USAAF instructor. This fella said that his
dad would always say that his claim to fame was the fact that he had trained Stewart in the Air Corps.
I don't recall if he had any specific information or stories or the like, but I'll try to dig up the material he
had, if I can.

[Dan Johnson II]

Ironic that the sterotype image of the war hero has generally been John Wayne, who didn't fight.

Then there is Stewart, who had to work at it to make weight just to get in. An Oscar to his name and one who could have avoided it, and he went in and did the job leading from the front.

His first Mission was to Germany in December 43. He flew 3 missions to Germany during Bigweek and went to Berlin in March 44. He was in the thick of it, taking the same risks at a time when the life expectency of bomber crews wasn't great, before the Allied escorts were there in numbers.

He didn't have to do it and did it. That speaks volumes to me. No deferments for him, no excuses.

An amazing man, who didn't let anyone use his service for publicity either.

[b29flteng]

Now compare him to todays "Hollywood Heros". I will say a few of of todays so call heros have gone on USO tours.

[tom d. friedman]

just think what his crewmates must have been thinking............. here is a hollywood big shot amongst ordinary joes....... i think that speaks for itself!!!

[Jack Cook]

Guys like Stewart and Wayne Morris are bigger heros
to me that CY or PB will ever be

[Second Air Force]

A friend of ours was an Ordnance Officer in the 445th. Wayne told us that Stewart was just about the best airplane commander (and Squadron Commander) he ever saw. He was a born leader that never let his civilian career get in the way of his duties with the Group.

As to being "burned out", he was transferred to the 453rd Group in March of '44 and became Group Operations Officer. He surely wasn't afraid to work under pressure, but being involved in sending young men into combat every day would certainly wear a man down.


A true patriot!

[muddyboots]

Ironic that the sterotype image of the war hero has generally been John Wayne, who didn't fight.

Then there is Stewart, who had to work at it to make weight just to get in. An Oscar to his name and one who could have avoided it, and he went in and did the job leading from the front.

His first Mission was to Germany in December 43. He flew 3 missions to Germany during Bigweek and went to Berlin in March 44. He was in the thick of it, taking the same risks at a time when the life expectency of bomber crews wasn't great, before the Allied escorts were there in numbers.

He didn't have to do it and did it. That speaks volumes to me. No deferments for him, no excuses.

An amazing man, who didn't let anyone use his service for publicity either.

He's always been a bigger hero to me than Wayne. I always felt like he played much stronger characters, and more believably. I've known about his flying during the war for quite a while, and I always thought I would be grateful to have flown under him.

[ZeamerB17]

Plus, Stewart was no spring chicken, either. He was in his mid-30's when he was flying combat. Not a lot of pilots were over 25 or so, I don't think.

Dave

[DryMartini]

Will Streff, a man who lived next to my grandmother, was
a top turret gunner on a B-24 in Jimmy Stewart's BG.
As you pobably know, the men were given bikes to get around
the vast expanses of the base. One morning while heading off
to briefing, Will saw Stewart standing there, saying "Someone took
my bike". Mr. Streff got off his, and said, "Here, Lieutenant. You
can take mine". Jimmy got on, said "Thanks!", and peddled away.

[Chicoartist]

Just a little tidbit ... Stewart went through B-47 school at Barksdale AFB, La. I've seen more than a few pics of him at the B-dale Officer's Club as well.

Wade