Author Topic: WOW interesting find on a friend and the 8th.  (Read 379 times)

Offline Animl-AW

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WOW interesting find on a friend and the 8th.
« on: February 09, 2024, 10:10:30 AM »
One of my best friends, who is a WWII historian type, we were talking about our scenario and MotA. FINALLY just told me his uncle (RIP) was in the Army 8th AF. <BLANK STARE> Told me the whole story. His Col. was actor Jimmy Stewart. <Blank Stare, Jaw Drop>

His uncle was a desk jockey who went over recon photos of targets. Can't believe he never told me about it. This guy is a walking encyclopedia on WWII. The stuff he knows blows my mind. If I ever got him in here, he'd be a awesome edition to the game, not so much a gamer, but I'm gonna try.

He thought MotA was not out yet, he's getting Apple tonight lol.

Still stunned.

Edited
« Last Edit: February 09, 2024, 10:27:18 AM by Animl-AW »

Offline Eagler

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Re: WOW interesting find on a friend and the 8th.
« Reply #1 on: February 09, 2024, 10:17:14 AM »
Listen to a bio on Jimmy Stewart

He had quite the run...dating every hot chick in Hollywood to bombing Europe then back to dating the hottest..

Was probably experiencing ptsd while filming It's a Wonderful Life

We enjoy all of his flicks

Eagler
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Offline oboe

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Re: WOW interesting find on a friend and the 8th.
« Reply #2 on: February 09, 2024, 10:20:37 AM »
IIRC JImmy Stewart was command pilot on a B-24?

Offline Animl-AW

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Re: WOW interesting find on a friend and the 8th.
« Reply #3 on: February 09, 2024, 10:22:42 AM »
Listen to a bio on Jimmy Stewart

He had quite the run...dating every hot chick in Hollywood to bombing Europe then back to dating the hottest..

Was probably experiencing ptsd while filming It's a Wonderful Life

We enjoy all of his flicks

Eagler

He was comfort TV/Movies. Always played good roles, very well.

I had to drub my friend a lot about never telling me. He'd often go on for hours about WWII, damn near put me to sleep. Yet never told me that one thing.

Him: "Oh yea... my uncle..."
Me: "you SOB! how the F*&^ can you tell me all that other drivel and leave that part out?"
Him: <shrug>

Offline Animl-AW

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Re: WOW interesting find on a friend and the 8th.
« Reply #4 on: February 09, 2024, 10:23:57 AM »
IIRC JImmy Stewart was command pilot on a B-24?


he was a pilot for the 8th.
I think he mentioned 24s, he did start yaking about 24s. Once he gets started up, he's like a lawn mower that won't shut off.
« Last Edit: February 09, 2024, 10:28:20 AM by Animl-AW »

Offline Shuffler

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Re: WOW interesting find on a friend and the 8th.
« Reply #5 on: February 10, 2024, 04:35:01 PM »
Harvey is sitting next to me right now getting a good laugh. He says Jimmy was a good friend.
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Offline Animl-AW

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Re: WOW interesting find on a friend and the 8th.
« Reply #6 on: February 11, 2024, 07:25:29 AM »
Harvey is sitting next to me right now getting a good laugh. He says Jimmy was a good friend.

The story I got was Jim only spoke to him once in passing. I was more impressed with hid uncle was in the 8th.

Stars are just people with an odd job, not gods. They are either cool or they suck, just like the rest of us. Stars with egos suck, PITA. Star-struck is the last thing I am. Met Ringo Star doing his all-star band. He’s ok, nothing exciting, other than fame.
« Last Edit: February 11, 2024, 07:31:56 AM by Animl-AW »

Offline Brooke

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Re: WOW interesting find on a friend and the 8th.
« Reply #7 on: February 11, 2024, 04:22:21 PM »
Jimmy Stewart was a pilot before the war.  He volunteered for service, got into the USAAF, and was a flight instructor for a couple of years.  He was frequently arguing for combat assignment, which he eventually got.  He was assigned to the 445th BG as a B-24 pilot.

Overall, he flew 20 missions in the 445th BG and the 453rd BG.  Missions included ones to Kiel, Berlin, Brunswick, Bremen, Frankfurt, and Schweinfurt.  On his 10th mission, his B-24 was hit by 88mm flak that went through the cockpit between the pilot and copilot.

After the war, he stayed in the US Air Force Reserves, eventually becoming a Brigadier General.

He flew one combat mission in Vietnam as an observer on a B-52.