James Stewart was recruited into the U.S. armed forces in 1941, and later participated in the bombing of Germany.
The renowned American actor James Stewart was born on this day in 1908. He was also a member of the U.S. Armed Forces and attained the rank of General of the Air Force. He was born in Indiana, Pennsylvania, and was of Scottish-Irish descent. James Stewart studied at the famous Princeton University, roughly at the same time he began his acting career in theater. His first movie role was only in 1934.
James Stewart became an extremely successful actor. His most famous movies include Vertigo (Alfred Hitchcock), It’s a Wonderful Life (Frank Capra), Rear Window (Alfred Hitchcock), and many westerns.
James Stewart was recruited into the U.S. armed forces in 1941, becoming the first famous actor who participated in World War II. Since he had previous experience of piloting aircraft, he became an officer in the Air Force. He personally participated in the bombing of Germany later in the war, attaining the rank of colonel and several decorations.
After the war he was promoted to brigadier general, and later to major general (a two-star rank). Not many people can claim to have attained both an Academy Award and the rank of a general! Stewart died in 1997, aged 89.
