[Shawn 507]

Taking a idea from another thread, where are the Jimmy Stewart & Clark Cable bombers? I'm sure there are more, but those are the only two I know of off hand. I think Stewarts bird would be great over that other guy . Afterall he did make Brig. General!
- Shawn

[flyXwire]

I would love a B-47 jet bomber that Jimmy Stewart flew in Strategic Air Command movie for sure!

[Shawn 507]

I was thinking along the lines of the one Jimmy Stewart actually flew in WW2, or the plane Clark Gable tail gunned on. Not so much "Movie" aircraft.
- Shawn

[Shamrock]

Taking the thread a bit further Shawn, how many Hollywood and UK actors actually served (in combat) during WW2? I know Gable was a gunner, Stewart B-24 Colonel, David Niven Royal Marine Commando etc. A lot of these guys did not have to go and fight. Some actors got a genuine medical pass due hearing or eyesight problems but John Wayne (epitome of All American Hero) did not serve as far as I'm aware (heresay I know!!). Audie Murphy was probably the best known and most decorated American of WW2. Perhaps the forum members might have a better overview of who served where etc.

[1250ships]

Eddie Albert (Green Acres) was in the Navy and won the Bronze Star at Tarawa for rescuing 70 wounded Marines in the lagoon.

Lee Marvin was a Marine wounded at Saipan though he wasn't an famous actor until later.

[flyXwire]

Originally Posted by Shawn 507

I was thinking along the lines of the one Jimmy Stewart actually flew in WW2, or the plane Clark Gable tail gunned on. Not so much "Movie" aircraft.

Originally Posted by Shawn 507

- Shawn

Well in that case how about Clark Gables "The Delta Rebel" B-17? I would love to see that done.

[skysurfer808]

Actors and celebrities in combat.

During WW2 Robert Taylor served as a Navy flight instructor, while actor Wayne Morris actually became an Ace flying with Dave McCampbell. He's the only Hollywood Ace i know about. Sean Connery was in the British Merchant marine before becoming an actor. Bogart cruised around in the Coast Guard Auxilliary (but that was an excuse to his wife to let him bed Lauren Bacall aboard his yacht.) Reagan made combat training films for the Army Air Corps, while Sinatra and John Wayne were too busy being celebrities to serve. Both Jimmy Stewert and Clark Gable did their thing well for the 8th AF, flying through an especially tough time. You can't beat Audie Murphy's rise from most decorated war hero to actor, but he died in a plane crash in 1971. Columnist Joe Alsop served Chennault in the Flying Tigers, and C.S. Forrester wrote propaganda for the British and American governments...where he met and encouraged a former RAF pilot and ace named Roald Dahl to write.

That's about all I know about off the top of my head, but the list is far more impressive then today. Pat Tillman is about the only "celebrity" who served in combat, his death is unfortunate, more so because it was friendly fire. Still, can any of you picture Tom Cruise, Leo Decaprio, or Britney Spears serving in any capacity beyond the USO. Of course they're not showing up is probably doing those on the sharp end of the spear a big favor.

Skysurfer808

[Rush104]

Good afternoon all,

Here's a site that might shed some light on celebrity service during WW2-

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...ar_II_veterans

I don't know if the link will work from this post, but this is an interesting page.

[swoop]

Britney would do the country a great service ...Army, Navy,Airforce, Marines..... .In war, there are many zones to be conquested. But the comfort zone is our greatest victory.

[Shamrock]

Richard Todd who played Guy Gibson in the movie also flew Lancasters during WW2. Another British actor, Denholm Elliot was aircrew in Halifax. Memory ain't what it used to be. Last time I saw 50 was on a bus!!