Peacocks and Polka Dots: A Great American Patriot: General Jimmy Stewart

One of my favorite vintage male movie stars is Jimmy Stewart, and you know what makes me like him even more? He was a General! In 1940 Jimmy Stewart was drafted into the United States Army, but was rejected because at 6 feet 3 inches and only 143lbs he was 5 lbs under the Army's minimum weight requirements. This was not acceptable to Jimmy so he hired a man known for his ability to assist people in gaining or loosing weight, Don Loomis. Loomis lived up to his reputation and helped Stewart gain the needed weight. On March 22, 1941 Jimmy Stewart enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps ( later to become the United States Air Force) at Moffett Field, California.

Jimmy enlisting in the Army Air Corps

Early Service

Due to the fact that he had logged over 400 hours of flight time before joining the Army Jimmy wanted not only to be a part of the Army Air Corps, but to be an officer. During his basic training Jimmy put in paperwork to receive an officers commission. In January 1942, about a month after Pearl Harbor, Private Jimmy Stewart, earned his commission and became Second Lieutenant Jimmy Stewart. It soon became very obvious to Jimmy that because of his celebrity status the Army Air Corps had no intention of sending him to the front lines, but giving him assignments as an aviation trainer, and making promotional film reels. This however would not stop the patriotic LT Stewart, he pulled strings with his commanding officers and secured a posting overseas in Europe.

Europe in WWII

In August of 1943 Jimmy is assigned to the 703rd Bombardment Squadron, where he was shortly thereafter promoted to the rank of Captain. After bravely leading his men, frequently as the head B-24 bomber Jimmy quickly earned the rank of Major. In July 1944 Jimmy was promoted to the chief of staff of the 2nd Combat Bombardment Wing of the Eighth Air Force, and again was soon promoted. He was now Colonel Jimmy Stewart. In reaching the rank of colonel Jimmy became one of a few who managed to climb from the rank of private to the rank of colonel in only 4 short years. By the end of WWII Jimmy had earned the Croix de Guerre, form the French and Belgian governments, awarded to their allies that displayed bold acts of heroism. He also earned 2 Distinguished Flying Crosses, for "...extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight during World War II."

During his service in WWII

Receiving a metal during WWII

Distinguished Flying Cross

Croix de Guerre

Post WWII

After the war Jimmy returned home and was active in the United States Air Force Reserve, as a Reserve Commander at Dobbins Air Force Base. On July 24, 1959 Jimmy Stewart earned his first star and became Brigadier General Jimmy Stewart. During Vietnam Jimmy was part of several missions in the B-52 bomber. He finally retired on May 31,1968. During his time as a Brigadier General Jimmy was awarded the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, a peace time award for "...exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility..." Jimmy Stewart was truly a great American patriot, who served for love of country for 27 years.