Celebrities who served

[Joe Williams]

Only surprise for me on this list was Alan Alda, who they say served as a combat officer during the Korean War. Never pictured that.

And I hope Chuck Norris Chuck Norris' somebody's butt for calling him an "MP" instead of the far superior "SP." Air Force SPs are meaner, smarter, and far better looking than Army MPs.

FOXNews.com - Celebrities Who Served Their Country

 

[04DarkShadowGT]

Fred Durst is the one who surprised me most.

 

[Shadowbeach]

.

 

[Joe Williams]

Very interesting. Especially Jim Stewart. Impressive, not surprising.

There is more to the Jimmy Stewart story than they told. He remained in the Reserves for years after the war. He didn't have to. Nor did he have to fly combat missions in WW2. His celebrity caused the Army to try to keep him out of combat. He's long been one of my real world heroes.

 

[Eddie]

I always found Clark Gable's interesting:

Clark Gable - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The wiki article just mentions his combat missions but I recall reading elsewhere that he insisted on flying them, stating that he wouldn't feel right if he didn't share the risk with his fellow soldiers.

 

[Noland]

Air Force SPs are meaner, smarter, and far better looking than Army MPs.

This is so true.

 

[XMil]

I didn't know about Clint Eastwood.

Ed McMahon was a Marine flight instructor during WWII and Johnny Carson was in the NAVY.

Clark Gable was a Major in the Army Air corps.

Julia Child was in the OSS.

Steve McQueen was a devil dog during WWII.

 

[Vince49]

There is more to the Jimmy Stewart story than they told. He remained in the Reserves for years after the war. He didn't have to. Nor did he have to fly combat missions in WW2. His celebrity caused the Army to try to keep him out of combat. He's long been one of my real world heroes.

He actually retired from the Air force as a Brigadier General.

 

[Antelope08]

Only surprise for me on this list was Alan Alda, who they say served as a combat officer during the Korean War. Never pictured that.

And I hope Chuck Norris Chuck Norris' somebody's butt for calling him an "MP" instead of the far superior "SP." Air Force SPs are meaner, smarter, and far better looking than Army MPs.

FOXNews.com - Celebrities Who Served Their Country

"Back in the day" when I was an MP at FT Carson, Colo., located in close proximity to NORAD. NORAD had a secuity breach (outside), who did they call for assistance, ARMY MP's.

 

[Antelope08]

RE: James Stewart Facts:

1st actor to join the military in WWII, joined BEFORE Pearl Harbor

He held the highest active military rank of any actor in history. During World War II, he served in the Army Air Corps and rose to the rank of Colonel; after the War, he continued in the US Air Force Reserve becoming a Brigadier General.

Initially a B-17 instructor, Mr Stewart insisted on serving in combat. In August 1943 he was assigned to the 445th Bombardment Group in Sioux City, Iowa, first as Operations Officer of the 703d Bomb Squadron, and then its commander. In December the 445th BG flew its B-24 Liberator bombers to Tibenham, England, and immediately began combat operations. While flying missions over Germany, Stewart was promoted to major. In March 1944 he was transferred to the 453rd Bomb Group, a new B-24 outfit that had been experiencing difficulties, as Group Operations Officer. In 1944 he twice received the Distinguished Flying Cross for actions in combat, and was awarded the Croix de Guerre. He also received the Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters. In July 1944, after flying 20 combat missions, Stewart was made Chief of Staff of the 2d Combat Bomb Wing of the Eighth Air Force. Before the war ended he was promoted to colonel, one of only a few Americans to rise from private to colonel in four years.
Stewart continued to play an active role in the United States Air Force Reserves after the war, achieving the rank of Brigadier General on July 23, 1959. He rode along as an observer on a B-52 Stratofortress bombing run during the Vietnam War in 1966, though he did not fly any duty missions during that conflict. Stewart finally retired from the Air Force on May 31, 1968 after 27 years of service.

Mr Stewart was a former Boy Scout and life long supporter of Boy Scouts. There is even a Boy Scout citizenship award named in honor of him.

 

[Joe Williams]

"Back in the day" when I was an MP at FT Carson, Colo., located in close proximity to NORAD. NORAD had a secuity breach (outside), who did they call for assistance, ARMY MP's.

Yeah.... for the outside work. But they didn't let you in with the important stuff and good furniture

 

[Colt556]

Steve McQueen was too young for WWII. He joined the Corps in 1947. He was demoted 7 times and went over the hill once to be with a girl. He straightened up after that though and was honorably discharged. He's from Beech Grove btw. My favorite actor.
James Garner served in Korea
Eddie Albert served in the Pacific during WWII. He won a medal IIRC.
Jimmy Stewart, as mentioned, had a life long love affair with the Air Force. He was an active pilot and promoted the Air Force whenever he could. I'm trying to remember the movie he starred in where he played a baseball player but was in the Air Force too. Probably some of the most beautifully filmed air scenes I've ever seen. He flew B-36s, a massive airplane, and B-47s, the 1st swept wing bomber built by Boeing and they showed the 1st B-52s in the movie. I'm hoping to watch some food war movies this weekend, and the Formula 1 race from Turkey.

 

[Joe Williams]

snip
I'm trying to remember the movie he starred in where he played a baseball player but was in the Air Force too. Probably some of the most beautifully filmed air scenes I've ever seen. He flew B-36s, a massive airplane, and B-47s, the 1st swept wing bomber built by Boeing and they showed the 1st B-52s in the movie. I'm hoping to watch some food war movies this weekend, and the Formula 1 race from Turkey.

Strategic Air Command

A pretty good telling of the beginnings of SAC.

 

[Colt556]

Strategic Air Command

A pretty good telling of the beginnings of SAC.

Right! I kept thinking Bomber Command! Twelve O Clock High with Gregory Peck was another great USAAF movie.

 

[Eddie]

Let's not forget authors:

Kurt Vonnegut - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[Colt556]

Let's not forget authors:

Kurt Vonnegut - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Another Indy native, went to Shortridge HS.

 

[INMIline]

+1 Hugh Hefner

Put's up with all them women and he's a vet!

Before dreaming up his Playboy empire, Hugh Hefner was an infantry clerk in the Army from 1944 to 1946.

 

[17Chap]

Charles Durning

Here's a link:

Charles Durning - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I knew some of his history before reading this. I knew enough of it to have fight back tears when I first saw the NCIS episode.

Bless them all!!

Jess

 

[fullauto 45]

One of my favorite funny men is Drew Carey.
Drew Carey - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[Knife Lady]

What about Audie Murphy? One of my favorite older actors and I know he served as well. When my dad would be home on Saturdays we would sit together and watch his old movies whether it be a western or an combat movie. Good memories there for me.