Jimmy Stewart’s Offscreen Life Included a Long & Distinguished Military Career

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The offscreen life of James Stewart had a distinguished and patriotic side to it, thanks to a remarkable and long-running stint in the military beginning just before World War II and continuing alongside his acting career for many years afterward. James Stewart was drafted by the U.S. Army in 1940 but was initially rejected for being underweight. With help from a Hollywood studio trainer to bulk up, Stewart was eventually inducted into the Army the following year.

James Stewart had a hobby of building model airplanes that began during his youth and came out of a fascination with flying. That fascination led him to acquire both private and commercial pilot’s licenses during the 1930s, accomplishments that would eventually pave the way for his wartime service in the Army Air Corps.

American actor Jimmy Stewart (1908 -1997) in his U.S. Air Force Officer's uniform during World War II, 1940s.

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Stewart’s family already had a significant military history, stemming back to the American Revolution and running through the Civil War, the Spanish-American War and World War I. Inspired by his father’s service, Stewart was eager to go into battle as World War II broke out.

What did James Stewart do in the military?

Although his celebrity status led him to appear in a military recruitment film, Stewart was actually keen to take part in more active duty as well. While the Army would often rely on him to be a flying instructor and bombardier trainer, Stewart’s insistence on being part of actual combat squadrons eventually led him to participate in numerous bombing missions in Germany and in other Nazi-occupied areas throughout Europe.

Captain James Stewart has changed his occupation from making feminine hearts throb to making bomber motors roar over occupied territory. The popular film star has arrived in Britain where he commands a squadron of liberator bombers. Captain Stewart, who enlisted in the United States Army nearly three years ago, was a private for nine months. (Original Caption) Commands Bomber Squadron. England:

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Stewart would rarely speak of his World War II service, but his enthusiasm and patriotism remained strong and steadfast. He continued his military duties long after the war ended, and long after he returned to Hollywood in 1945 to revive his acting career. Having risen to the position of colonel, and having received a number of awards for his military service, Stewart remained part of the U.S. Air Force Reserve, eventually being promoted to the position of brigadier general in 1959.

Stewart’s military dedication continued into the 1960s and even included a flight as a non-duty observer on a bombing mission during the Vietnam War. He eventually retired from the Air Force in 1968, putting an end to a remarkable 27 years of patriotic service to his country.