"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
Thanks for your comment. :D
DeleteCool! Stewart is one of my favourite authors too. I've added the book to my Wish List. Did you know that Clark Gable flew in B-17's over Germany too? Brave people - especially as they could have easily avoided combat and stayed @ home to make patriotic movies.
ReplyDeleteI did know that Clark Gable fought in WWII...there's a photo of him in this book. The fact that they both chose to put aside their careers and go fight makes me like them even more.
DeleteThis sounds really interesting! I didn't know many of those facts. I'll have to add this to my list.
ReplyDeleteIf you're in the mood for an interesting bio, it's a good one.
DeleteThis sounds very interesting and I like how you listed the facts about his life.
ReplyDeleteToo much in this one to easily summarize, but I wanted to share some of my favorite facts that I learned about him.
DeleteSo many wonderful movies. I think my favorite is "Rear Window." Or maybe "It's a Wonderful Life."
ReplyDeleteThey're both classics! :D
DeleteI did not know Jimmy Stewart was in WWII as a pilot. How fascinating! He was a great actor, so many great movies.
ReplyDeleteHe was a great actor. I love his movies. I had no idea he flew bombers in WWII either, or that he earned the rank of Brigadier General. Pretty amazing.
DeleteThis sounds wonderful. What I remember about him is that he was on one of our chat shows, way back... the 1980s I think or early 90s. Anyway, he read out a poem he'd written about the loss of a beloved dog, and it had everyone in tears, me included. I think I would like to read this.
ReplyDeleteIt's a good one, and a fairly quick read, and will make you like Stewart even more.
DeleteWow, I had no idea that Jimmy Stewart had a military career! I only know him from his movies. This book sounds amazing!
ReplyDeleteI thought it was a fascinating look at this other side of Jimmy Stewart that I never knew about before either.
DeleteI'm a Jimmy Stewart fan as well. I didn't realize he was a WWII pilot and stayed in the Reserves. One of my favorite of his movies is The Glenn Miller Story, and of course, The Philadelphia Story :)
ReplyDeleteI just watched The Philadelphia Story! And I want to watch the Glenn Miller Story next month. :D
DeleteWhat if that plane had gone down, I never knew
ReplyDeleteYeah, the higher ups didn't love him going on bombing runs, but he insisted. He thought of himself as a soldier and a patriot and didn't want to be kept back because he also happened to be a Hollywood actor.
DeleteIt sounds like a good one. I have one of Betty White's memoirs out from the library, but not sure if I will get to it or not.
ReplyDeleteI bet her memoirs are very funny. I should look for her book at my library.
DeleteLove knowing these facts about him. I didn't realize he flew bombers during WWII. A decorated veteran it sounds like.
ReplyDeleteHe was certainly decorated for what he did in the war. It was a surprise to me that he even liked to fly anything, let alone bombers.
DeleteSounds interesting. I will try to see if I can get this book.
ReplyDeleteI really liked it. :D
DeleteHi Lark, what a great actor Jimmy Stewart was and I watch It's A Wonderful Life every year around this time. Also a brave man and a hero.
ReplyDeleteHe was such a good guy; and so quietly talented. We need more people in the world like him.
DeleteI have this book on my shelf! I love Jimmy Stewart - Rear Window is probably my favorite - and he seemed like such a fantastic human being. I'm looking forward to reading this one. I had kind of forgotten about it so thanks for the reminder!
ReplyDeleteYou'll like him even more after reading this book. He was a truly good guy. I love Rear Window, too. :D
DeleteLast time I was in Provo, I bought a biography of Jimmy Stewart. I haven't read it yet, but I need to. He's one of my favorite actors as well.
ReplyDeleteHe's so great. :D
DeleteI didn't know these details about Stewart! Sounds like an interesting life he led!
ReplyDeleteHe was more than just a talented actor.
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