Orvon Grover “Gene” Autry (September 29, 1907 â October 2, 1998),[2] nicknamed the Singing Cowboy, was an American singer, songwriter, actor, musician, and rodeo performer who gained fame largely by singing in a crooning style on radio, in films, and on television for more than three decades beginning in the early 1930s.
When World War II broke out, Gene Autry was determined to join the armed forces and do his part. On July 26, 1942, during a live broadcast of his radio show Melody Ranch and at the Pentagon’s request, he was inducted into the Army Air Forces as a Technical Sergeant.
On June 21, 1944 Gene earned his service pilot wings and was promoted to Flight Officer. Autry served with the 91st Ferrying Squadron of the 555th Army Air Base Unit, Air Transport Command at Love Field from July 1942 to October 1945.
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