---
title: "Jimmy Stewart: WWII vet, actor, American patriot"
date: "2023-12-25"
modified: "2023-12-25"
authors:
  - name: "Joel Searls"
    job_title: "Contributor, Marine Corps Veteran"
    link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/joelsearls/"
url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/history/jimmy-stewart-wwii-vet-actor-american-patriot/"
categories:
  - "Entertainment"
  - "Heroes"
  - "History"
  - "Movies and TV"
  - "War History"
  - "World War II"
---

# Jimmy Stewart: WWII vet, actor, American patriot

![A man with dark hair, wearing a gray tweed jacket and black scarf, is smiling warmly while holding a young girl with curly blonde hair in a pink patterned coat. They are indoors near a decorated Christmas tree with ornaments and tinsel. Several other people, including an older woman with glasses, are partially visible around them, suggesting a festive gathering.](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/25/Screen-Shot-2023-12-25-at-3.06.18-AM.png>)

James "Jimmy" Stewart is an iconic Hollywood star and legend. He starred in some of the greatest films of all time, which include *Mr. Smith Goes to Washington*, *The Philadelphia Story*, *It's a Wonderful Life*, *Rear Window*, *Vertigo*, *Anatomy of a Murder*, *The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance* and *The Flight of the Phoenix*. His characters exuded morality on the screen, which Stewart brought from his real-life self. Stewart was named by AFI as the third greatest American male actor. He earned an Oscar for Best Actor in *The Philidelphia Story* and in 1985, was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He served in World War II as a pilot in the Army Air Corps and then returned to Hollywood, an even better actor to resume his career.

![Three men in military attire stand near a propeller aircraft with the name "BETTY" visible on its side. One man, wearing a flight vest and holding a helmet, is engaged in conversation with another man dressed in a leather jacket and slacks with his hands in his pockets. The third man, partially visible from the back, is also in military clothing. The scene appears to be on an airfield with gravel ground.](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/25/image-6.png>)

Major Jimmy Stewart confers with a B-24 crew member. Photo courtesy of nationalmuseum.af.mil

The US entered World War II in 1941. Stewart's patriotism took full hold and he joined the Army Air Corps as a pilot. He joined at age 33 and rose from the rank of private to full colonel by the end of the war. He flew B-24s over Europe on bombing missions and earned the Distinguished Flying Cross, the French Croix de Guerre and the Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters. He transitioned back to the States after the war and joined the USAF Reserves. He served on active duty for stints with the Strategic Air Command and trained as a B-47 and B-52 pilot. He rose to the rank of Brigadier General and flew on board a B-52 as an aerial observer in the Vietnam War.

![A black-and-white portrait of a man in a U.S. military uniform, seated with hands resting on his lap. He has neatly combed hair and wears a jacket adorned with various ribbons and insignia, including a pilot's wings badge on the left chest. Behind him, a flag with a visible star is partially seen. The background is plain and slightly out of focus.](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/25/image-7.png>)

Brigadier General James M. Stewart of the USAF Reserve.

During his World War II service, he crossed paths with a fellow friend, service member and Hollywood icon, Clark Gable. Gable, known as The King of Hollywood, served in the US Army Air Forces. Known for his star status and major roles in *Gone with the Wind*, *It Happened One Night* and *Mutiny on the Bounty*, he brought a regular man's attitude to his service and enlisted as a private with the desire to work his way through the ranks. He flew missions as an observer-gunner in B-17s on bombing missions over Europe. Gable earned an Air Medal and Distinguished Flying Cross. He returned stateside at the behest of MGM studio executives as the missions Gable flew on were dangerous and many crew members were injured or killed. Gable returned stateside assigned to the Motion Picture Unit. He spent the rest of his time stateside and left the service as a Major.

![Two men in military uniforms sit on a leather couch, facing each other and engaged in conversation. Both wear jackets with insignias and ties, with one man having his hands clasped and the other resting his hands on his knee. The setting appears indoors with a carpeted floor.](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/25/image-8.png>)
*Stewart and Gable in uniform during the war in 1943. Photo courtesy of the defensemedianetwork.com.*

Stewart crossed paths with many great and influential people throughout his life, especially during the service. His return to the States post-war reignited his career, whereby he starred in many major hits, especially westerns. His last role was as the voice of Wyle Burp in *An American Tale: Feivel Goes West*, which is an animated western. Stewart supposedly did the role in the film so his grandchildren would have a more recent project to know their grandfather through. His ever-present patriotism, idealism and likeability have furthered his Hollywood legend status, which carries on today with yearly showings of *It's a Wonderful Life* on TV and now streaming platforms across the country.