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James Stewart's wartime service defines his legacy as a Hollywood star who rose from private to brigadier general through 18 dangerous bombing missions over Germany and Berlin.
James Stewart was a Hollywood star when the United States entered the Second World War. Having won an Academy Award in 1940 for The Philadelphia Story, Stewart had already earned his private pilot's licence. After being drafted in October 1940, he applied to the U.S. Army Air Corps. In January 1942, he began his active duty.
Stewart trained at Kirtland Field in New Mexico before being assigned to the 703rd Bombardment Squadron in November 1943. He flew a Consolidated B-24 Liberator on his first mission in December 1943, targeting German U-boat facilities at Kiel. Over the next fifteen months, he flew 18 bombing missions over Germany, including attacks on Berlin. His missions and aircraft are detailed, along with a collection of photos from his service.
Stewart also served as an Operations Officer and led missions in a de Havilland Mosquito. Rising from private to major in four years, he earned numerous awards, including the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, and Croix de Guerre. After the war, Stewart returned to Hollywood, remaining active in the Air Force reserve, and eventually achieved the rank of brigadier general, becoming the highest-ranking actor in U.S. military history.
