James Stewart at War
James Stewart at War tells the remarkable story of Hollywood star James Stewart during World War II. When the United States entered the conflict in December 1941, Stewart had already gained fame, having won an Academy Award for Best Actor in 1940 for his role in The Philadelphia Story.
Stewart was a familiar face to moviegoers when the Japanese struck at Pearl Harbor. By then, 'Jimmy' had earned his private pilot's licence and, when his name was drawn by the Drafting Commission on 29 October 1940, he applied to join the US Army Air Corps. Just before receiving his draft, he obtained a commercial pilot's licence.
On 18 January 1942, Stewart was called into active duty, initially serving at the 929th Bombardier Training School in New Mexico as a pilot. Although his film company secured him a 'static personnel' role, Stewart's determination to fly in combat led to his appointment as Commander of the 703rd Bombardment Squadron. His operational war began when he landed in the UK on 17 November 1943.
Flying a Consolidated B-24 Liberator, Stewart's first bombing mission targeted the German U-boat facilities at Kiel on 13 December 1943. Within a week, he attacked Bremen, among other targets in Germany, concluding eighteen missions over fifteen months. His actions, including raids on Berlin, are explored in depth alongside a rich collection of photographs of the aircraft and his crew.
Beyond piloting B-24 bombers, Stewart served as an Operations Officer and led a mission from a de Haviland Mosquito to attack railway marshalling yards at Halle. Rising from private to major in just four years, Stewart was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters, and the Croix de Guerre with palm from France.
After the war, Stewart returned to acting and remained active in the Army Air Forces reserve, eventually becoming a brigadier general. This rise marked him as the highest-ranking actor in American military history.
Author: Pavel Turk, a noted author and historian of the aerial aspects of the Second World War, has a special interest in the Consolidated B-24 Liberator. His research led to two volumes of the B-24 Liberator Handbook in Czech and co-authoring B-24 Liberator in RAF Coastal Command Service. He resides in the Czech Republic.
Includes 10 colour and 110 b/w illustrations.
James Stewart at War tells the remarkable story of Hollywood star James Stewart during World War II. When the United States entered the conflict in December 1941, Stewart had already gained fame, having won an Academy Award for Best Actor in 1940 for his role in The Philadelphia Story.
Stewart was a familiar face to moviegoers when the Japanese struck at Pearl Harbor. By then, 'Jimmy' had earned his private pilot's licence and, when his name was drawn by the Drafting Commission on 29 October 1940, he applied to join the US Army Air Corps. Just before receiving his draft, he obtained a commercial pilot's licence.
On 18 January 1942, Stewart was called into active duty, initially serving at the 929th Bombardier Training School in New Mexico as a pilot. Although his film company secured him a 'static personnel' role, Stewart's determination to fly in combat led to his appointment as Commander of the 703rd Bombardment Squadron. His operational war began when he landed in the UK on 17 November 1943.
Flying a Consolidated B-24 Liberator, Stewart's first bombing mission targeted the German U-boat facilities at Kiel on 13 December 1943. Within a week, he attacked Bremen, among other targets in Germany, concluding eighteen missions over fifteen months. His actions, including raids on Berlin, are explored in depth alongside a rich collection of photographs of the aircraft and his crew.
Beyond piloting B-24 bombers, Stewart served as an Operations Officer and led a mission from a de Haviland Mosquito to attack railway marshalling yards at Halle. Rising from private to major in just four years, Stewart was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters, and the Croix de Guerre with palm from France.
After the war, Stewart returned to acting and remained active in the Army Air Forces reserve, eventually becoming a brigadier general. This rise marked him as the highest-ranking actor in American military history.
Author: Pavel Turk, a noted author and historian of the aerial aspects of the Second World War, has a special interest in the Consolidated B-24 Liberator. His research led to two volumes of the B-24 Liberator Handbook in Czech and co-authoring B-24 Liberator in RAF Coastal Command Service. He resides in the Czech Republic.
Includes 10 colour and 110 b/w illustrations.
Original: $37.46
-65%$37.46
$13.11Description
James Stewart at War tells the remarkable story of Hollywood star James Stewart during World War II. When the United States entered the conflict in December 1941, Stewart had already gained fame, having won an Academy Award for Best Actor in 1940 for his role in The Philadelphia Story.
Stewart was a familiar face to moviegoers when the Japanese struck at Pearl Harbor. By then, 'Jimmy' had earned his private pilot's licence and, when his name was drawn by the Drafting Commission on 29 October 1940, he applied to join the US Army Air Corps. Just before receiving his draft, he obtained a commercial pilot's licence.
On 18 January 1942, Stewart was called into active duty, initially serving at the 929th Bombardier Training School in New Mexico as a pilot. Although his film company secured him a 'static personnel' role, Stewart's determination to fly in combat led to his appointment as Commander of the 703rd Bombardment Squadron. His operational war began when he landed in the UK on 17 November 1943.
Flying a Consolidated B-24 Liberator, Stewart's first bombing mission targeted the German U-boat facilities at Kiel on 13 December 1943. Within a week, he attacked Bremen, among other targets in Germany, concluding eighteen missions over fifteen months. His actions, including raids on Berlin, are explored in depth alongside a rich collection of photographs of the aircraft and his crew.
Beyond piloting B-24 bombers, Stewart served as an Operations Officer and led a mission from a de Haviland Mosquito to attack railway marshalling yards at Halle. Rising from private to major in just four years, Stewart was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters, and the Croix de Guerre with palm from France.
After the war, Stewart returned to acting and remained active in the Army Air Forces reserve, eventually becoming a brigadier general. This rise marked him as the highest-ranking actor in American military history.
Author: Pavel Turk, a noted author and historian of the aerial aspects of the Second World War, has a special interest in the Consolidated B-24 Liberator. His research led to two volumes of the B-24 Liberator Handbook in Czech and co-authoring B-24 Liberator in RAF Coastal Command Service. He resides in the Czech Republic.
Includes 10 colour and 110 b/w illustrations.
