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WWII uncovered: James Maitland Stewart: Decorated Pilot Flies 20 Combat Missions Over Germany"James Maitland Stewart, of Indiana Pennsylvania, had over 400 flight hours as a civilian pilot when he enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1941, and became an instructor for both the B-17 and B-24. He was 33 years old."
According to the National Aviation Hall of Fame: "In November 1943, Stewart was sent to England as Operations Officer for the 703rd Squadron, 445th Bombardment Group of the Eighth Air Force, transferring to the 453rd Bombardment Group in March 1944. Then Major Stewart flew 20 dangerous combat missions as a B-24 command pilot, wing commander or squadron commander, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross with two Oak Leaf Clusters, The Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, and the French Croix de Guerre with Palm." (Source: National Aviation Hall of Fame)
Colonel Stewart remained in the US Air Force Reserve and was promoted to Brigadier General in 1959.
During his two weeks of active duty in 1966 Stewart requested a combat assignment, and he was duly sent on an inspection tour of Vietnam, where his stepson, 1Lt Ronald McLean, had recently been fatally wounded at the age of 24. Stewart insisted on participating in a strike against VC targets, flying a mission at the controls of B-52F 57-0149.
After 27 years of service, James retired in 1968 and was awarded the United States Air Force Distinguished Service Medal. Stewart rose from Private to Colonel in just four years.
After the war James returned to his acting career. James passed away on July 2, 1997 at the age of 89 in Beverly Hills California. Over 3,000 were in attendance during his memorial service with full military honors. He lies in rest at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale California.
As a lifelong advocate for aviators James Stewart has rightfully earned his place in the National Aviation Hall of Fame. Lest We Forget.
WWII uncovered original description and photo sourced by: The National Aviation Hall of Fame, US Army and The Jimmy Stewart Museum.
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