"It may sound corny, but what's wrong with wanting to fight for your country. Why are people reluctant to use the word patriotism?"
--Jimmy Stewart
Jimmy Stewart is one of my favorite actors, so when I saw this biography, I couldn't resist checking it out. Here are a few tidbits from this interesting look at Stewart's life and military service in World War II:
- Stewart played both the accordion and the piano.
- When he went to New York after college to pursue acting, he roomed with his friend, Henry Fonda, who also liked to build model airplanes.
- Once he moved to Hollywood, Jimmy Stewart started taking flying lessons.
- Then, in May of 1941, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps as a pilot.
- He flew a B-24 Liberator (a large bomber plane) with the Eighth Air Force and took his squadron to England in 1943 where he made over 20 successful bombing runs from the coast of France all the way to Berlin.
- He was humble, steady, studious and skilled, and rose in rank from PFC to Colonel, eventually commanding the 2nd Combat Bomb Wing.
- After the war, from 1945-1968, he served in the Air Force Reserve, achieving the rank of Brigadier General.
- He also starred in over 80 movies from 1935-1991, winning a Best Actor Oscar for his performance in The Philadelphia Story in 1941.
- He was the highest ranking actor in military history, and was buried with full military honors in 1997.
(And reading this book made me like him even more.)
Happy Reading!
I have not read the book , however I am convinced that it will reveal a remarkable side of his life, and his courage, discipline, and dedication during World War II.
ReplyDeleteThanks for great review of the book which shows how deeply he cared about serving his country, even at the peak of his film career. A fascinating and eye-opening read