{"id":2150,"date":"2011-10-10T19:00:02","date_gmt":"2011-10-11T02:00:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.todayifoundout.com\/?p=2150"},"modified":"2012-12-02T18:36:49","modified_gmt":"2012-12-03T02:36:49","slug":"jimmy-stewart-was-a-two-star-general-in-the-u-s-military","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.todayifoundout.com\/index.php\/2011\/10\/jimmy-stewart-was-a-two-star-general-in-the-u-s-military\/","title":{"rendered":"Jimmy Stewart Was a Two Star General in the U.S. Military"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Jimmy<\/a>Today I found out<\/a> Jimmy Stewart was a two star general in the United States military.<\/p>\n

In 1940, Jimmy Stewart was drafted into the United States Army, but ended up being rejected due to being five pounds under the required weight, given his height (at the time he weighed 143 pounds). \u00a0Not to be\u00a0dissuaded, Stewart then sought out the help of Don Loomis, who was known to be able to help people add or subtract pounds. \u00a0Once he had gained a little weight, he enlisted with the Army Air Corps in March of 1941 and was eventually accepted, once he convinced the enlisting officer to re-run the tests.<\/p>\n

Initially, Stewart was given the rank of private; by the time he had completed training, he had advanced to the rank of second lieutenant (January of 1942). \u00a0Much to his\u00a0chagrin, due to his celebrity status and extensive flight expertise (having tallied over 400 flight hours before even joining the military), Stewart was initially assigned to various “behind the lines” type duties such as training pilots and making promotional videos in the states. \u00a0Eventually, when he realized they were not going to ever put him in the front line, he appealed to his\u00a0commanding\u00a0officer and managed to get himself assigned to a unit overseas.<\/p>\n

In August of 1943, he found himself with the 703rd Bombardment Squadron, initially as a first officer, and shortly thereafter as a Captain. \u00a0During combat operations over Germany, Stewart found himself promoted to the rank of Major. \u00a0During this time, Stewart participated in several uncounted missions (on his orders) into Nazi occupied Europe, flying his B-24 in the lead position of his group in order to\u00a0inspire\u00a0his troops.<\/p>\n

For his bravery during these missions, he twice\u00a0received\u00a0the Distinguished Flying Cross; three times\u00a0received\u00a0the Air Medal; and once\u00a0received\u00a0the\u00a0Croix de Guerre from France. \u00a0This latter medal was an award given by France and Belgium to individuals allied with themselves who distinguished themselves with acts of heroism.<\/p>\n

By July of 1944, Stewart was promoted chief of staff of the 2nd Combat Bombardment wing of the Eighth Air Force. \u00a0Shortly thereafter, he was promoted to the rank of colonel, becoming one of only a handful of American soldiers to ever rise from private to colonel within a four year span.<\/p>\n

After the war, Stewart was an active part of the United States Air Force Reserve, serving as the Reserve commander of Dobbins Air Reserve Base. \u00a0On July 24, 1959, he attained the rank of brigadier general (one star general).<\/p>\n

During the Vietnam War, he flew (not the pilot) in a B-52 on a bombing mission and otherwise continued to fulfill his duty with the Air Force Reserve. \u00a0He finally retired from the Air Force on May 31, 1968 after 27 years of service and was subsequently promoted to Major General (two star general).<\/p>\n

Bonus<\/span> Facts:<\/p>\n