How did Jimmy Stewart’s Trauma after Serving in the Air Force Affect His Career

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[@katemaloney4296]

He served his country, remained faithful to his wife, raised his children well, became a poet, and never turned his back on his friends. The man definitely was a hero in more ways than one and that is why I named my son after him.

[@alanchidley2745]

Perfectly said. Jimmy was a man's man. Today the left would lable him with "toxic masculinity", and a tendency toward"micro aggression". Two terms that actually mean, clarity of purpose, assertiveness, leadership and a clear understanding that there are only two sexes and they are different..

[@gregohare2406]

@@alanchidley2745 Generalizing about people who disagree with you is something I would bet James Stewart would have no part in. As a liberal, I have considered him an exemplary America. He put his life on the line over and over again, for our country; he exemplified all that is good, no matter the party affiliation, and I will bet never looked down on any man that fought beside him, whether a Roosevelt democrat or otherwise. Loving your country to me, means not hating any American who may disagree with me. That is the glue that keeps our country together. At least that is what I believe.

[@davidr2492]

@@alanchidley2745 Actually the left would not even label him with "toxic masculinity", they wouldn't know how to define "him" at all since there are no women or men in their conveluted world. Dang, this really gives me a headache...

[@ronaldmcdonald3965]

A true Officer and a Gentleman

[@tripacer8259]

That's why they USED TO call them "STARS", not for wrecking your car on the way to rehab.....

[@jamescherney5874]

Knew a guy who served in a different unit but at the same field as Stewart. He said Jimmy went on all the toughest missions unlike alot of the commanding officers. He earned the respect of all his men.

[@flagmichael]

That was almost exactly the role he played in Strategic Air Command. Not acting so much as reprising that part of his life.

[@jerrydiem7755]

I frankly admire him as a man of good character,steady,quietly reliable,and unassumingly brave.

[@timhoran3887]

Absolutely

[@JoyfullyGrumpy]

My Uncle Bob served under Stewart and flew air missions throughout the war, surviving to come home. He and the others who flew under Stewart met for reunions yearly and Stewart was usually there until he passed. His men adored him and they continued to meet right down to the last as they grew too elderly and passed away themselves. I once found myself standing casually next to Stewart in NYC, and after a brief exchange, watched him walk away saying he was off to have lunch,. Then I remembered Uncle Bob...its the only real regret of my life - I might have had lunch with Stewart had I not been so flustered and thought to tell him who I was! He was revered by our family and his men and always will be. He was no Hollywood prop, he commanded and made life altering decisions every day. RIP Mr. Stewart and RIP Uncle Bob. They fought to save Democracy, and we would be wise to follow their example.

[@easyjdier]

Great story, sister! And thanks Mr. Stewart and Uncle Bob!

[@JudgeJulieLit]

​@@easyjdier And my Uncle Harold, who after his passing at age 96 had a full US Air Force funeral.

[@andycraddock7677]

@SherS: Thanks for sharing such an amazing story! And thanks to your late Uncle for his service.

[@1949LA-ARCH]

Great story…..THE GREATEST GENERATION…RESPECT !

[@1949LA-ARCH]

Great story…..THE GREATEST GENERATION…….RESPECT !

[@richardscanlan3167]

I liked JS as an actor,but I think his military career outshines anything he did in hollywood.Seriously impressive.

[@johnassal5838]

*General Jimmy Stuart

[@richardscanlan3167]

@@johnassal5838 he was that high.I read somewhere he reached the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.But,I stand corrected - General,it is.

[@johnassal5838]

@@richardscanlan3167 it's complicated by the fact he was considered army reserve. Iirc he was "demoted" to Col at the end of WW2 or his reserve rank was considered equivalent to Col or some other BS. Something to do with the scale back after the war I think but his official regular army rank was restored to general upon retirement. He commanded a bomber group after all.

[@richardscanlan3167]

@@johnassal5838 thanx for the info.Any way you look at it,the man was a boss. You look at a lot of those actors at the time - Jack Palance,Ernie Borgnine,Robert Ryan etc,all WW2 vets,many of them highly decorated. Kudos to all of them.

[@DavidSmith-ss1cg]

@@richardscanlan3167 - Those guys, in fact, ALL of the "greatest" generation, were part of an American people who weren't "dumbed down" and very much brainwashed after WW2. If a national emergency - like WW2 - was to happen today, the US will be in TROUBLE. Just try to imagine the characters in "Idiocracy" acting in "Saving Private Ryan." Which is just really unfair; the US military is mostly capable and sorta intelligent. But the US military has always counted on a "ramping up" period of "holding on" while a bunch of civilians train to be cannon fodder. This won't be possible anymore, and so the US REALLY should try to get along with other countries.

[@alanrogers7090]

You mentioned that "It's A Wonderful Life" was Mr. Stewart's first film after the War. The director, Frank Capra, asked the actor to emote in a scene in a bar. He actually broke into tears, using his war time experiences to put himself into a similar emotional space. Capra wanted to have Mr. Stewart repeat that performance, but only after they changed to a close-up lens. He refused, saying, "I'm all used up Frank. If you got that one, then you got it. I can't do that again." So Capra used an old technique which was to run the film on a screen, and simply film THAT image with the close-up lens. This is what was shown in the theaters as part of the finished film. Emotions and memories can come from anywhere, and you may have no control over them. He was a wonderful actor who always seemed to inhabit his roles as totally believable people.

[@rimshot2270]

No one who has been in heavy combat comes out unaffected.

[@R.C.A.F.V.R.]

Your kinda correct but You dont need to be in combat or a warzone in the military to get ptsd i got mine seeing four friends lkilled in germany in the 1980's while recovering a mia crew whos bomb and plane had never reach the release point in ww2 22.000 lb blew them to infinity and me into the ground like a nail they were over it when it blew i was in the blast zone I can tell you now you dont hear it go and the ptsd hits hardest when you retire fully the ptsd hits most destoying lives marriages and relationships 32 yrs on it still feels like it was only yesterday

[@rickuyeda4818]

Really? My Father-N-Law was in the Army Air Corp before the war started. 2 weeks after in arrived on Bataan, the War started. His job was to hunt snipers in the jungle. When Bataan surrendered, he and others were in the Bataan Death March. They were shipped to Japan to work in the coal mines. The other POW's would purposely cut off fingers or break bones to keep from working. After the War ended, he came home and got job and married. They had 2 children, bought a house. Fast forward to 1969. I met his daughter in College. She asked me to have lunch with her and we eventually became boyfriend and girlfriend. When I met her parents, her Mother hated me. When her Mother forbade her to see me, her Father stepped in and told his wife, "My daughter can see whoever makes her happy!". My Father-N-Law became best friends and always hung around together. The only PTSD I noticed? He didn't like anyone laughing around him. He thought they were laughing at him. The difference? I was allowed to laugh and joke with him. The only time he would go out to dinner is if I invited him. This irritated his wife no end. His wife ended up liking my family more than her own.

[@rimshot2270]

@@rickuyeda4818 So, at least to some extent, he WAS affected. I would guess he spoke very little about the war. My father, also a good man, didn't speak much about it. Then I fought in Vietnam, and I realized why. I had a very stable life after the army, including a 45-year marriage still going strong and a great job I retired from after 32 years. But I was affected; not devastated, but affected. I am glad your father-in-law made a decent life for himself and raised a fine daughter. I was lucky with my two kids too.

[@rimshot2270]

@@R.C.A.F.V.R. True enough, but as a combat veteran of Vietnam, I am speaking from my own experiences and what I saw in my father and his father. I meant no disrespect to you.

[@raymondweaver8526]

My father was a corpsman in a burn ward during The Korean War. No combat but PTSD

[@susanjaeger5645]

If more people had the class Jimmy had, maybe hollywood wouldn't be such a waste.

[@IIVVBlues]

Jimmy Stewart always impressed me. I hope he was happy with his accomplishments. It was indeed a wonderful life.

[@katemaloney4296]

If you ever get out to Indiana, PA, please visit his museum.

[@basilaftousmis5721]

My favorite actor, all American hero but above all a nice man.

[@tomdillard9558]

my grandpa was drafted and when they did his physical exam he said the listened to his chest and didn't like what they heard and rejected him. they wouldn't tell him what was wrong and he said it kind of scared him for a while but eventually he just kind of forgot about it. he lived to be 98 and never had any problems with his heart or lungs.

[@lindseycarribean5113]

Jimmy is considered a hero in the USA for being the perfect in joining the army during world war ||. It was the complete opposite for John Wayne, attacked by many for not serving in real life, only in the movies. Amid them, a certain John Ford. His favorite director critisizing his favorite actor. I think Jimmy Steward developed troubles with his memory after the trauma of the war. Congrats to him for staying faithful to his wife... It’s very rare in this industry. A true gentleman. Rear Window ? Vertigo ? Classics ! Even Clint Eastwood was a fan. Rip Sir.

[@rimshot2270]

A truly great actor and patriot.

[@BobSmith-dk8nw]

According to the video here - Stewart was drafted. John Wayne was to old to be drafted and - he was married and had a number of children. Wayne could have volunteered the way Clark Gable did - but - Gable was only able to get in because his wife knew Roosevelt and pulled some strings (before she was killed in a plane crash while on a USO Tour). He was only used to make a movie. Gable did fly some combat missions while making the movie - but - once it was done - the military had no more use for him - as he was just to old - so he was released from service before the war ended. Stewart had a college degree and was a trained aviator before serving in the military - which, even though he was originally an enlisted man made him an officer. Wayne had attended college (USC I believe) on an athletic scholarship but lost his scholarship when he was injured. So - Wayne would have had to serve as an enlisted man - and didn't want to do that. So - Wayne, much to his later regret, did not serve because of his age, family and education. Another person who didn't serve and never heard the end of it was Frank Sinatra. He was evaluated by the draft doctors and found physically unfit - so he wasn't allowed to serve. The crap he took about that - was a belief that he had bribed someone to defer him. As to Stewart's combat career - he flew a number of missions - over 20 but was then given a staff assignment. This didn't end his flying missions but it ended their regularity - and they stopped counting them. Stewart could have gone home but chose to stay until the end of the war. After the War - Stewart continued to serve in the Air Force, though I assume in the Reserve and eventually became a General Officer before his retirement. Here one of the movies he was in - was _Strategic Air Command_ . .

[@lindseycarribean5113]

@@BobSmith-dk8nw Ok thanks for those info. John Ford reproached over and over again Wayne about not serving his country and he felt guilt about it. I guess Ford had a bad temper.

[@rimshot2270]

@@BobSmith-dk8nw Stewart was not really drafted. He was initially conscripted but voluntarily enlisted even before the US entered WWII after the draft board rejected him for being underweight. He went on a crash diet to gain weight.

[@BobSmith-dk8nw]

@@rimshot2270 Almost. He was really drafted (first they draft you THEN they give you the physical) - but - he failed the physical because his weight was to low for his height (which was 6' 3"). If he'd been shorter - maybe his weight would have been OK. So - what he then did was work with one of the Hollywood trainers whose job it was to take pounds off - or - put pounds on - and adjusted his caloric intake accordingly. Then - when he could make the weight - he went down and enlisted. So - he was actually _both_ drafted and did enlist. The stuff I wrote was long enough so I didn't go into that detail - as it's not all in one place. .

[@MrPGC137]

It's not mentioned in this video, but Stewart's wartime service also cost him a good portion of his hearing. The combination of high-altitude flying in extreme sub-zero temperatures, coupled with the noise of those 1940s-era engines (the planes of that era weren't insulated, remember) resulted in a significant hearing-loss which got progressively worse the rest of his life. (By the 1960s for example, he was almost completely deaf and had great difficulty in hearing a director's instructions on-set, and this was a large part of the reason for his eventual retirement from acting.) When he first returned to Hollywood to do "It's a Wonderful Life," he was extremely nervous about returning to acting after having been away from it for so long. He was very unsure of himself, lacked self-confidence and was almost ready to give up. But fortunately, he received a great deal of support and encouragement from his co-star Lionel Barrymore, and it was largely a result of that encouragement that Stewart stayed with it & gradually worked through his difficulties & adjustments. Even so, as mentioned in the video, he continued to suffer from PTSD for the rest of his life, and even when he was quite elderly, he still continued to experience occasional rages, nightmares and night-terrors as a result of his wartime experiences. For those interested in reading more on the subject, the book "Mission: Jimmy Stewart and the Fight for Europe" by Robert Matzen is *HIGHLY* recommended.

[@Blaqjaqshellaq]

His character in IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE was deaf in one ear!

[@parrot849]

Thank you for the additional information

[@kristend344]

@@Blaqjaqshellaq George Baily wanted to build things. Jimmy Stewart had a degree in architecture.

[@conniecrawford5231]

Indiana PA near Pittsburgh will always be proud of her Favorite Son, Jimmy Stewart!

[@Donde_Lieta]

I spent a year studying opera at IUP, I ended up transferring, but I always absolutely adored all the little homages to Jimmy throughout the that little town 💜 (especially the talking crosswalk lol)

[@thegypsyman9043]

He was a real gentleman with an understated persona delivery that endured him to many. The "underdog" who made good!

[@DTavona]

I think you meant "endeared." Endured implies that watching him act was a hardship.

[@girlfromthebronxbywayofelb7288]

@@DTavona Not sure if this is important but... Sometimes auto correct messes you up, even when you know perfectly well the correct word choice, spelling, grammar. Not everyone takes time to edit these posts. Sometimes people get insulted when you correct their writing; it can feel like school teacher leaning over you with the red pen. Just wanted to say that....

[@jeffreythornton428]

He is one of my favorite golden age stars.

[@AgeOfVintage]

He was really talented! 🙂

[@jeffreythornton428]

@@AgeOfVintage Yes, he was but, more important, he was a good man. I have always found it interesting, considering how intolerant so many people are today of political difference of opinion, that Stewart had a lifelong friendship with Henry Fonda. Stewart was a life long conservative republican whose son died in Vietnam and Fonda was a liberal Democrat whose daughter, Jane Fonda was Hanoi Jane. Unlike so many people today, Stewart and Fonda did not let their passionate political differences destroy their friendship.

[@johncooper4637]

If you really want to know the horror that Jimmy Stewart went through in the war read "Mission" by Robert Matzen. It is a wonder that anyone on the front lines of that war came through that sane.

[@jebsails2837]

You can see the change in the photo faces of the Greatest Generation before and after combat. Like my own father who ate bananas and drank many coke a cola to pass a Navy enlistment physical. He survived a banzi charge on the island of Saipan, returned home with bullet crease on his forward and his Auburn hair all but white. Never said a word about his experiences. Narragansett Bay.

[@pudnbug]

Jimmy was always an intense actor, which is to say he was a very good actor. Perhaps he was affected by PTSD, but he still would have been intense.

[@jedburlingham3593]

My Father was in WW2 as a front-line member of the 313th Engineers for the 88th Infantry Division that fought in North Africa and Italy. I am not trying glorify him, but he did not talk about the war much. He saw his friends blown up as he was in demolition plus removal of mines. He related even worse things. PTSD didn't become recognized until 1980. I began to notice things about him that made me think that he had been affected by PTSD, but those guys didn't want to show weakness. I'll bet JS could have had nightmares, or been jumpy some times.

[@robtsologtr]

As a kid, I would be awakened by Paw screaming at night from dreams. He never would say what those dreams were. The closest he ever came was to make fun of himself for a time a crop duster swooped over a tree line as he was working on a tractor in a field. He said he’d swear there were rising sun “meatball” insignias on the plane’s wings - and that he instinctively dove under the tractor.

[@jamesa.7604]

Jimmy Stewart always reminds me of my late Grandfather. Wise, Honorable, Firm and Loving. Hard working and respected by those who worked with him.

[@BigT2664]

I grew up watching Jimmy Stewart. I loved his everyman characters that somehow still find a way to excel. I didn't learn of his war time service until reading an article about movie stars who'd served in World war II that was published in the mid 80s. You mentioned that he struggled to get assigned to the combat theater, but Hollywood often lobbied to have their stars kept stateside. Another thing you failed to mention is that despite a busy post war film schedule, Jimmy Stewart continued to serve in the US Air Force Reserves eventually logging combat missions in both Korea and in Vietnam. He retired from military service at age 60 as a Brigadier General and was later promoted to Major General. An amazing and talented man who never shirked from his duty to country despite Hollywood and Washington trying to keep him out of actual combat.

[@stephenland9361]

Bomber crews in WWII had appalling casualty rates. On average over the war, the chance of going down on any mission was about one in ten. Very few bombers survived a tour of 25 missions, especially before the P-51 came along to provide long range fighter escort. In the early days of the Eighth Air Force, being assigned to a bomber crew was basically a death sentence. Many crews didn't last over five missions. The Luftwaffe pilots flying ME-109's and FW-190's were serious pros and many had years of experience. Lots were aces and some had over 100 kills. German Flak gunners were the best in the business. The 8.8cm Flak anti-aircraft gun was the best gun of the war. And yet the bomber crews kept going. Replacements were always there. New bombers were there. Jimmy Stewart was a true hero. The brass wanted him to sit back, teach and make propaganda films. He fought to be assigned to combat. He was one of the very few men who were promoted all the way from Private up to full Colonel. He flew twenty combat missions as pilot.

[@MrPGC137]

The B-24 Liberators (which is what Stewart flew) had an especially-high casualty-rate. They were so unstable & badly-designed that only the most skilled pilots (like Stewart) could handle them. Not only that, but due to a design flaw (the fuel-line was right above the fuse-box!) they had the nasty tendency to explode in mid-flight. On one of his missions, Stewart's plane was so battered & bashed-up by flak & anti-aircraft fire that when he finally managed to land it safely on the runway, the plane was shaped like a banana. Thanks to his skilled piloting & landing however, the crew survived (barely.)

[@rimshot2270]

He actually flew 33 missions. His last 13 missions were unauthorized, unofficial, and unreported. He never got credit for them.

[@lyndonanderson2900]

My Wife’s Grandpa flew B-24 Liberators in North Africa and Europe. Never talked much about it.

[@lyndonanderson2900]

He also flew the Berlin Airlift. Not bad for a small town Montana boy. RIP Grandpa.

[@MrPGC137]

On one of the missions, an anti-aircraft shell hit the aircraft but miraculously without exploding. It did however punch a 3-foot-wide hole into the bottom of the flight deck, right below where Stewart was sitting. So if he looked down between his knees, he'd have seen the ground about 4 miles straight down...

[@johnc2438]

R.I.P., Major General Stewart!

[@ambrabridges2161]

My great-uncle Herbert served with Jimmy Stewart during WW2. Herbert's plane was the only one lost during a mission between and, unfortunately, Stewart couldn't do an immediate search for the crew because he couldn't risk the other planes.

[@JohnMassari]

Rod Serling was plagued with PTSD as well. It’s one of the many shades of collateral damage. In some cases it is passed down to children and grandchildren by proxy. The dark shadows of war have an ominous grip long after the guns fall silent.

[@sheilatruax6172]

Absolutely true. My dad saw combat in Korea. I did not serve (except for being a candidate for USAF ROTC), but some of Dad's mannerisms bled down to us kids. Don't deal well with sudden loud noises; fireworks send me into anger fits. In case you wonder about ROTC. I'm good at giving orders, terrible at taking them. Saved the AF from my antics and getting yelled at by a family of multiple service non-coms!

[@orgonkothewildlyuntamed6301]

the way you described shows off one of the problems right there if it was still called SHELL SHOCK maybe these troops would have gotten the help they needed

[@georgewest8468]

At 6:34 the announcer said that James Stewart was a fighter pilot. Nope. He flew 20 missions in the B-24H bomber from England. He was the most decorated actor in WWII. Audie Murphy was the most decorated American soldier in WWII but only became an actor after being discharged.

[@AgeOfVintage]

Thank you for your comment! 🙂

[@Gralsritter]

You say he was a fighter pilot but in fact he flew bomber missions over Germany

[@jewell92]

That was also mentioned.

[@pauljurgen-romrig9616]

That was the most watchable thing I’ve seen in a long time. The stock photos were nicely selected. The narration on point. I love Jimmy Stuart. He always made me want to be better. I’m sure some of you will understand.

[@ripmomcovid4678]

PA girl- love Jimmy Stewart. He was great in the Thin Man. He reminds me of when this country had a conscience. The greater the conscience the greater the PTSD.

[@haplessasshole9615]

Stewart was in *After the Thin Man* but yeah -- he was amazing in that. He played hell out of that part. It was brilliant casting, though nobody could have known in 1936 quite what direction his career was going to go. After all, he'd only been in Hollywood for two years. Anyone who's interested in James Stewart and his career definitely needs to see *After the Thin Man* to see a different Stewart -- an immaculately dressed one looking 7'6" in white tie, tails, and a silk top hat. No spoilers, but as to plot, it's nicely paced and played, especially at the end. Edit: Now I know what I'm going to watch on this snowy winter day. We own the whole *Thin Man* set. Just watched the first movie before Christmas, so....

[@rimshot2270]

@@haplessasshole9615 Done.

[@haplessasshole9615]

@@rimshot2270 Thank you!

[@davegreene8588]

"The greater the conscience, the greater the PTSD." True.

[@darrylkenes7424]

My best friend Charlie died three years ago at 97. He went to his grave believing he was a murderer. In WWll he was a soldier and a crack shot. He killed many of the enemy before he was critically wounded by a tank round on the German frontier.

[@cassiemiller7321]

The war between good and evil. Certainly, the Natzis were evil, and, had to be stopped. But, having said that, i red that war is punishment from God for man's sins.

[@Soundpj]

A murderer murders because they can. Your friend was a soldier, he had no choice. Heaven will have accepted him, fear not Darryl. I shot a rabbit once as a young women, vowed I'd never pick up another gun. But I had that choice. Charlie didnt. He was fighting against real murderers...the Natzis. Kim.

[@johnfrei9057]

God Bless him.

[@cvf628]

@@cassiemiller7321 You most certainly did not read that in the Bible.

[@michaelhuck]

Earlier there have been two armies on a battlefield and it was slodiers against soldiers. In "modern" war soldiers do not only kill soldiers but the politicians EXPECT them to kill non-soldiers who are not even armed. The bombing of cities by any standards is a war crime but politicians expect soldiers to do it. A fighter pilot can actually fight other soldiers but a bomber pilot´s job is to kill unarmed people, men, women children, so in fact that´s kind of murder and I understand why James Stewart and many others had nightmares after all those killings. Patton who actually was one of the better US commanders was by any standards a war criminal asking his men to kill POWs. The hate is always produced by the politicians, I think that´s also the reason why many soldiers after the war or even during the war became friends, like Adolf Galland and Douglas Bader, or Hans-Ulrich Rudel and Pierre Clostermann or Charles Brown and Franz Stigler.

[@xray86delta]

Don't forget the far country, with Walter Brennan. A great western about a flawed hero. Great Jimmy Stewart role!

[@AgeOfVintage]

That is a great movie!

[@margaretlocke7607]

Greatest respect for this man

[@mattkaustickomments]

Good except a couple errors. “It’s a Wonderful Life” was in 1946, not 1956. Also you mentioned him being a fighter pilot, but he was a bomber pilot.

[@TheAuntieBa]

The narrator did call him a ‘bomber pilot,’ as well.

[@donbrown1284]

RIght...and Princetown! I assume he means Princeton. Obviously he's no Ivy Leaguer.

[@KB4QAA]

MK: This video is atrocious. So many errors, bad english. What rubbish.

[@susanjaeger5645]

Exactly right.🛩️ And the fact that he survived along with the men who flew with him... Tells us he was one bad rammer jammer in the air.🛩️😎

[@debd353]

Also, Priceton, not Princetown.

[@char524]

Also a fascinating story-teller and poet.

[@sd906238]

I read that tour buses would go around the home of the stars. When they got to Jimmy Stewart's home. Jimmy would sometimes come out and talk to the tourist on the bus. When they got to Barbra Streisand house she would give the finger to the tourist on the tour bus. Jimmy was a real class act like Dean Martin.

[@brentonl1746]

What a statesman he was, clearly one of the all time greatest craftsman. Again one of my favorite movies The Flight of the Phoenix showed his amazing work. Thanks, really found this very interesting on Jimmy' life. Have a great New Year.

[@xcomboy666]

I remember seeing an elderly Jimmy Stewart on The Tonight Show, where he insisted to Johnny Carson he was a member (and General) of the U.S. Air Force first, and an actor second. Right On.

[@mrs.herculepoirot7763]

The ultimate gentleman. I was walking into Chasen's one night and Mr. Stewart was just ahead of me and asked if I was alone. I said no, that my date had a new car that the valet guy was having trouble with so he was parking it himself. Mr. Stewart stood there with me until my date walked in and then he yelled at him for not escorting me in before he, "Took care of that stupidly expensive car you were playing with". Greatest night ever!!!

[@marvinthiessen3454]

Dana Carvey still does the best impression of Jimmy Stewart. Jimmy was a great actor and gentleman.

[@tikitavi7120]

Jimmy Stewart was first class all the way.

[@cocophillips9251]

He was a 1st class RACIST !!

[@patriciaanderson8556]

He did what most of the men who served in WWII did, they did their duty, then the came home and coped with what they had been through and raised their kids and dealt with the issues. My father was a Marine and served over 3 years in the South Pacific island hopping toward Japan. He was never violent, although he had been a budding boxer prior to the war. He was always afraid that he would kill his opponent, if he forgot himself. He said he only knew of one way to fight, and that was to kill.

[@5DNRG]

His demeanor was much like my Dad's who was also a WWII vet. My feeling was their post-war behavior exhibited PTSD that was repressed over many years.

[@flagmichael]

Sadly, alcoholism was common among PTSD sufferers from that era. My father was a radar tech (a bit more secret than that, we are finding out) who had a Marine with a .45 assigned to him to protect the country's secrets. He told of the frequent "down!" drills and of once being on his knees with the gun at the back of his head for endless minutes as a skirmish played out outside the door. Dad lived to 67, when the alcohol killed him, and rarely talked about his service in Italy and the Pacific. PTSD is hard to treat even now, but until recently there was really no effective treatment and it almost never fades away on its own.

[@nadiazayman779]

My favorite old Hollywood actor.

[@blackwaterproduction289]

1- It's a wonderful life 2- Rear Window 3- Anatomy of a murder 4- Mr. Smith goes to Washington 5- Vertigo 6- No highway in the sky 7- Rope 8- The Philadelphia story What's not to like! He is one of the greatest actors of all time!

[@LoveLightLiberty6868]

Don't forget Harvey

[@flagmichael]

Strategic Air Command was almost an echo of part of his life. Nobody could have been more authentic, and aviators surely noticed it.

[@k1200ltse]

Not bad, but... Jimmy Stewart remained in the USAF Reserves only retiring upon reaching mandatory the retirement age of 60 as Brigadier General in 1968, having served for 27 years. He flew his last combat mission in 1966 as a non duty observer on a B52 "Arc Light" strike over Vietnam. 17 years later he was promoted to Major General on the Retired List. As a BTW, he was one of a very few men who rose from the rank of Private to full Colonel in only 4 years.

[@ronaldwenger869]

Mick you nailed it, you must have read the same book that I read. One hell of a man!

[@jakejacobs7584]

Well done. I will forgive you calling him a fighter pilot at 6:30 as he was fighting. So many more things could have been brought up but that would have taken hours. Thank you for the nice job.

[@cassiemiller7321]

My favorite actor as well as carlton Heston! Really like him when he is paired with Kim Novack.

[@stefanschutz5166]

Novak

[@jamescampbell6737]

Glad to see no negative comments about Jimmy Stewart,,or on line trolls getting oars in,,he made so many great movies difficult to place in context or merit,,jcvw

[@charlesstauffer9831]

Don't forget that JS retired from the Air Force as a two star General. To say he loved his AF career is an understatement.

[@AgeOfVintage]

Merry Christmas to all of my subscribers! 🙂🎄🎁 You are the best of the best!!! ❤️🙂

[@haplessasshole9615]

Happy New Year to you! Aren't you glad you don't live in the US? I think Stewart would be mortified at what people are doing in the name of "patriotism."

[@AztlanViva]

@@haplessasshole9615 "Patriotism" is a very nasty and not PC term these days in Hollywood & college campuses. Brings to mind words from an old song, "Ya' know it's true what they say, ya' don't know what ya' got till it's gone..."

[@haplessasshole9615]

@@AztlanViva No, patriotism is fine. Nationalism is not. Many people have somehow mistaken one for the other.

[@tommcdaniel2208]

You left out a very important phase of his life. Despite any WW2 PTSD, Jimmy stayed in the Air Force reserve and rose to the rank of GENERAL.. This is extraordinary for Hollywood stars. It showed he dealt with the intense rigors of WW combat and retained his command presence and value to the USAF for many decades. I strongly suggest you include this info in a revised version or your presentation. He remained in service until 1968 as a Brigadier (one star) General until his military retirement.

[@rimshot2270]

Officially, James Stewart flew 20 missions. Actually, he flew 33. He flew 13 additional, unofficial missions he was not credited with until long after the war.

[@bobbycars1340]

@@rimshot2270 including Vietnam.

[@rimshot2270]

@@bobbycars1340 His stepson was killed in action in Vietnam.

[@raymondweaver8526]

Staying in the reserves may have helped him stay grounded as well as do something he loved, flying

[@DrJohnnyJ]

I am still waiting for someone to say something bad about him. He and Henry Fonda, a liberal, were lifelong friends that agreed to disagree on politics. A nicer time.

[@gkocourek6274]

Often combat veterans find it difficult to speak of their combat experiences. His military service continued through Vietnam as a reserve officer.

[@rimshot2270]

He lost a stepson who was like a birth son to him in Vietnam.

[@girlfromthebronxbywayofelb7288]

Yes, I was surprised that they didn't include mention of the loss of his son. He was working on a movie when he heard, and had to step away for a while to grieve.

[@davidpar2]

He used it to bring realness to his roles. Best, most relatable actor Hollywood ever had

[@tm502010]

He was a true hero!!

[@sosco22]

My greatest respect, sir

[@paulakpacente]

Stewart was a fine actor and a GREAT American!

[@jc03571]

I always knew he was in the service, but I had not realized the very senior, active, and important role he played. We need to bring our values back to this time.

[@lanacampbell-moore4549]

Great actor!

[@dew02300]

If you really want to know about Jimmy Stewart’s war time experiences there’s a book call “Jimmy Stewart Bomber Pilot” by Starr Smith. After reading it I no longer thought of him as an actor who became a bomber pilot but rather an Army Air Corp Commander who could also act.

[@larrywright5690]

One story I read about him was when He was visiting a military base and showed his Reserve Air Force id..it listed him as a Brigadier General, he was the highest rank actor to serve in the US military

[@SilverliningSnowpaws]

I enjoy your videos, but I think they could be so much better if the photographs shown matched the narrative better. It's a bit confusing when you're speaking of one movie, but showing stills of quite another.

[@thesoultwins72]

Ann Marston.......totally agree - but I also wish he wouldn't repeat everything twice!

[@dittychaser1525]

That was the comment that I was going to bring up; I'm sure there are tons of film clips from each of his movies that would serve very nicely. Also, I'd like to add that my brother-in-law was the top turret gunner on a B-17 credited with three enemy planes and half credit for another. He, like Jimmy Stewart, received the DFC with two oak leaf clusters. His plane was shot down in January 1943, crash landed in occupied Finland (I believe) was captured and spent the rest of the war in German hands. Needless to say, he was my childhood idol not only for his courage in combat but throughout his entire lifetime; a better man I've never known.

[@baystgrp]

Two comments and a few facts. He flew the 4-engine B-24 Liberator bomber, not fighters. Princeton is pronounced ‘Princetun’, emphasis on the first syllable, not ‘Princetown’. Facts. After WW II his studio contracts had a clause that forbade the studio from referring to his war sv n an wao pronote his films, He was a brave man and intensely patriotic. He supported the US involvement in the war in Vietnam, but his son, a Marine, was killed there.

[@girlfromthebronxbywayofelb7288]

Wow, excellent info! Also, so glad you mentioned his son. Such a loss.

[@ruthlawrence8046]

Hi Age of Vintage, how are you going ? Thank you Thank you for doing this request for my suggestion on the life of the great Mr Jimmy Stewart. Whilst studying at Princeton university he started acting after graduating in 1932 in stage productions on Broadway. His big break thru came with Frank Capra film You Can't Take It With You. He teamed up again with Capra in the film Mr Smith Goes to Washington. His next film was the Philadelphia Story starring with Katherine Hepburn & Cary Grant in which he won his only Academy Award for best actor. A licensed amateur pilot he enlisted in The Army Air Corps when the U.S. entered WW2 in 1941. He retired in 1968 with many distinguished service medals. He came back from the war with terrible PTSD as he knew he had shot down a great many innocent civilians, & a whole town was bombed by mistake, when wrong directions were given too them. His first post war film was he was cast as George Bailey in It's A Wonderful Life with Donna Reed, it's considered one of Stewart's most famous performances. He teamed with June Allyson in the fabulous film The Glenn Miller Story. Another brilliant performance of his. He then teamed up with Alfred Hitchcock in the film Rope, Rear Window with Grace Kelly, The Man who Knew too Much, & Vertigo with Kim Novak. Stewart didn't get married until he was in his forties. He married Gloria Hatrick McLean in 1949 & remained married to her until her death in 1994 from lung cancer. Her death left Stewart very depressed, & he became more reclusive, only leaving his bedroom for meals & to see his children. Jimmy Stewart of course made many more wonderful movies in his fabulous film career. In June 1997 a thrombosis formed in his right leg, which lead to a pulmonary embolism & one week later he passed away from a heart attack brought on by the embolism. He passed away at the age of 89 surrounded by his children in his home in Beverley Hills. RIP The Great Jimmy Stewart who gave so much pleasure to his legion of fans. Love Love from Australia 🇦🇺📽🎬💖💙💚💛⚘⚘💋

[@phampshire6864]

Never heard of his tv show 'Hawkins' before.

[@howardjohnson2138]

Good guy. Thank you

[@deniselandmesser9966]

Never mention his wife name. Nor after her death he just stayed in his house not seeing anyone.

[@piehound]

I too was 6' 4" tall in my youth and skinny. And i have remained a bachelor all my life . . . so far. (Born in 1949.) And i never became an actor. But i know what it's like to have unpleasant and even traumatic memories. Life has a way of distributing those quite generously. I liked the video. Thanks.

[@cassiemiller7321]

Will you marry me? I love tall men! Happy Valentines Day!! Xxx ooo

[@aisforapple2494]

You should have mentioned that Jimmy Stewart ended up being a Brigadier General in the USAF. He was in so many wonderful films. I cannot stand him as a German student in 'The Mortal Storm'. 'The Cheyenne Social Club' starring JS, Henry Fonda, and Shirley Jones (Mrs. Partridge) is a great western comedy that doesn't get enough credit!

[@willynthepoorboys2]

May he rest in peace.

[@roybodden9243]

My wife and I are fans of jimmy stewart and love each of every mover we saw him in. Plus he in a true American hero!

[@jonathanmorton9856]

Aunt meet him as a red cross volunteer in Vietnam.He remained in the Air Natioal Guard and retired as a General

[@nerdguy9174]

Air Force Reserve.

[@sammysoppy3361]

I feel like Tom Hanks picked up the mantle of Jimmy Stewart and ran with it. A likeable everyman and a great actor that no one has a bad word about

[@jop7672]

My full on crush of all time is Jimmy Stewart. I could only dream of knowing this iconic hero with the greatest character for centuries

[@fancysfolly554]

I loved him. He was from the golden years of Hollywood.

[@markburnham7512]

Stewart was far and away my favorite actor from that era for many reasons. A rare kind of man indeed.

[@orvjudd1383]

When you inadvertently take the lives of innocent civilians, you take on the most burdensome cross to bear. Jimmy Stewart was blessed with real humanity and so he carried that guilt all of his life. He was an amazing person.

[@fancysfolly554]

My dad was in the Army Air Corps too..in WW2. That generation was full of exceptional people.

[@mikehagan4320]

A Nicely done Video. Best Wishes! M.H.

[@Johnnycdrums]

I love how explains the thrills and joys of the B-58 Hustler.

[@Nyctophora]

I knew I liked him as an actor; it was good to get to know him a little better as a true man and a hero.

[@chrisoleary9876]

Like Stewart, my father was an aviation pioneer. He too flew planes before the war, joined the A.A.C. (Army Air Corps) and became a radio operator and navigator on a B-29. (Pacusan Dreamboat)

[@bullfrogcep]

Brigadier General James Stewart continued to serve. to include Korea and rumored Vietnam. In his autobiography there is a picture of The Brigadier in his flight suit at a mission brief. Unknown if he flew along.

[@underthetornado]

A truly fine human being

[@timbaumann9046]

Yet in the end what did he want to be remembered for? It's plain to see by just looking at his tombstone over his grave... The FIRST words you'll find on that grave is the name "GEN.eral James M, Steward. THAT'S what he was PROUDEST of, not the incredible span of work in films but his love of flying and his participation along with all the others who made up "The GREATEST GENERATION in HISTORY". And we as Americans should be also proud of Jimmy and EVERY OTHER American who set down their normal lives in pursuit of a higher ideal... FREEDOM!!!

[@Embur12]

Loved an older Jimmy Stewart in the 1965 Flight of the Phoenix.

[@GoodmanMIke59]

Finally got this: 4:43 I read the book, Mission. do your damn homework. Stewart was a flight instructor for both B-24s, 17's. His commanding officer asked him which one he preferred to serve in combat on. Stewart said "who's going first?" ... He also had a grandfather who served the Gettysburg during the Civil War, and his father served in World War I (possibly also in the Spanish-American War).

[@robertmonson5088]

the guy was courages

[@Dog.soldier1950]

A true American hero

[@darneyoung537]

I always Love Jimmy Stewart and his movies

[@chuck2895]

While in the ARMY during WWII, Mr. Stewart did not serve in the Air Force. There was no Air Force During the war. There was the Army Air Corps. Mr. Stewart was instrumental in getting the Army Air Corps separated from the Army and forming the United States Air Force. Mr. Stewart was a true American HERO!

[@CAP198462]

Jimmy Stewart stayed in the Air Force reserves after the war. When he finally retired he was an O-7, Brigadier general. Again, probably another record, the highest grade (rank) actor to serve.

[@dougjenks6954]

A true man of intense stature !

[@lestercoons3962]

I have always admired Jimmy Stewart. He was a great actor and a n even greater patriot! He didn't have to go into combat but he did anyway!

[@orgonkothewildlyuntamed6301]

"patriot" is the correct term considering he was a blatant racist like most "patriots" btw how do you celebrate 1/6 every year?

[@rufusblake3599]

@@orgonkothewildlyuntamed6301 You obviously only see color as a qualifier. You are the true racist.

[@orgonkothewildlyuntamed6301]

@@rufusblake3599 you're skipping your meds again fanboy

[@warrenpuckett4203]

My uncle Jim's tale about hitting the beach in the third wave. He drove off the landing craft. Got about 100yards up the beach before the motor quit. Then army made him walk to Berlin. Because he did not take care of the Jeep. I did not understand a tall tale like that. Until it was my turn. The truth is too disturbing. Talking about takes a bit of 80 proof to sleep through the night for a few days.

[@justinellison4214]

One of the few . Good people from hollywood!

[@vincentjordan8028]

A truly great American we need more people like him

[@johnemerson1363]

General Stewart never flew combat as a fighter pilot. Also, you showed photos of General Stewart in his Air Force uniform but never mentioned that he continued to serve in the USAF Reserve after WWII and retired a Brigadier General.

[@normmcrae1140]

I was going to mention that! I believe he was qualified to fly everything up to and including B-52's!

[@johnemerson1363]

@@normmcrae1140 I remember the movie "Strategic Air Command where he flew a B-36. Those were the most beautiful aerial shot of an airplane in flight I have ever seen. Even as a pilot, I have never found clouds to fly through like that.

[@erictaylor5462]

My Dad's uncle, before the war was an avid pilot. In the war he flew B-17s and completed his 25 missions, came home and never flew again, except for one time. My dad was a certified flight instructor in the 70's and 80's and in the late 1970's took his uncle for an airplane ride. Letting him fly the plane. Even after all that time his uncles control inputs were still perfectly precise and his turns were perfectly coordinated. His uncle was an alcoholic but never drank so much he was falling down. He was what was known as a functional alcoholic. He never spoke about the war but many of his missions were quite hairy. In one he was the only uninjured crew member on the plane.