I thought Jimmy Stewart was 4-F on account of being deaf in one ear, and served the war effort by organizing scrap drives and blackout drills. His brother, OTOH, was a war hero who shot down an enemy plan before it was able to sink a transport load of troops. He got a medal for that. Right, Clarence?
Guinastasia posted:
I’d have enlisted just on the CHANCE of seeing Tyrone Powers nekkid!
Whilst I agree that 9/11 and WWII aren’t comparable in the sense that you’re talking about, large numbers of Americans enlisted into the various military branches starting on 9/12. Jimmy Stewart joined the USAAF before Pearl Harbor, which made him unique among the Hollywood actors of his era. Of course, most, if not all Americans were caught totally by surprise by 9/11, so it’s understandable why someone like (picking an actor at random) Ed Norton didn’t join up before 9/11, but after? Hmmm. One would think that at least one or two might do it in hopes of getting some free PR for their career.
No, Jimmy Stewart as a Colonel in WWII who commanded a B-17 bomber that flew 40 raids over Germany. He was a hero with a whole chest full of medals, and eventually achieved the rank of Brigadier General.
Sam, you’ve just been “Whooshed!” skammer just recounted part of the plot of It’s A Wonderful Life!, which starred Jimmy Stewart.
Just a quick quibble: that should be “… among the American Hollywood actors …”
David Niven, IIRC, joined up in 1939 or early 1940. Mr Goldwyn was not happy.
James Doohan (“scotty”) lost a finger on D-day (Canadian artillery)
(yes, I got this off of IMDB, but I have heard it elsewhere)
Brian
This link gives information about the airfield where James Stewart was sqn. commander . :-
Arch Hall Jr, who was in the MST3K classic Eegah, was in Vietnam, I think.
Remember, the guy with the Cabbage Patch Face who kept screaming, “ROXY!!!”