James Maitland Stewart (May 20, 1908 â July 2, 1997) was an American actor and military pilot. Known for his distinctive drawl and everyman screen persona, Stewart’s film career spanned 80 films from 1935 to 1991.
Stewart became the first major American movie star to enlist in the United States Army to fight in World War II. His family had deep military roots: both of his grandfathers had fought in the Civil War, and his father had served during both the SpanishâAmerican War and World War I. After first being rejected for low weight in November, 1940, he enlisted in February, 1941. As an experienced amateur pilot, he reported for induction as a private in the Air Corps on March 22, 1941.
He was sent to England as part of the 445th Bombardment Group to pilot a B-24 Liberator, in November 1943, and was based initially at RAF Tibenham before moving to RAF Old Buckenham.
Stewart was promoted to Major following a mission to Ludwigshafen, Germany, on January 7, 1944. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for actions as deputy commander of the 2d Bombardment Wing, and the French Croix de Guerre with palm and the Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters. Stewart was promoted to full colonel on March 29, 1945, becoming one of the few Americans to ever rise from private to colonel in only four years. He flew 20 combat missions in B-24 Liberators.
After the war he remained with the US Air Force Reserves and was eventually promoted to Brigadier General in 1959. In 1966, he participated in a bombing strike in Vietnam, as an observer on a B-52 bomber. He retired from the Air Force in 1968 and received the Distinguished Service Medal and ultimately, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
MILITARY HISTORY SOCIETY OF ROCHESTER
ROCHESTERMILITARY.COM
