(b. May 20, 1908; d. July 7, 1997) Actor, pilot, and Colonel in Army Air Force in World War II; served as Brigadier General in Air Force Reserves.

Jimmy Stewart is one of America's most beloved movie stars, playing common men in heroic roles in classics such as It's a Wonderful Life and Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. But he also was a courageous patriot in real life, actively seeking wartime service during World War II in the Army Air Force (AAF) and eventually achieving the rank of Brigadier General in the U.S. Air Force Reserves.

James Maitland Stewart was born in Indiana, Pennsylvania. His family had military roots: both grandfathers had fought in the Civil War, and his father had served during both the Spanish-American War and World War I. Jimmy considered his father to be the biggest influence on his life, so it is not surprising that...