Who was the highest ranking actor in military history during WW2?
James Stewart is best remembered for his movie roles but he also became the highest-ranking actor in military history during WW2. Here's how James Stewart became the highest ranking actor in military history.
How did James Stewart become the highest ranking actor in military?
After the war ended James Stewart stayed in the Army Air Forces Reserve, and officially became the highest ranking actor in military history in 1959 when he was promoted to Brigadier General; Stewart eventually retired from the Air Force in 1968.
Who are the top 10 most famous actors of all time?
1 Eddie Albert 2 James Arness 3 Mel Brooks 4 Art Carney 5 Charles Durning 6 Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. 7 Russell Johnson 8 Lee Marvin 9 Audie Murphy 10 Jimmy Stewart
What is the highest rank in the US military?
The highest rank held by anyone in the U.S. armed forces since 1981 is four stars, or a pay grade of "O-10". There are dozens serving with this rank at the present time. Ranks higher than this are usually awarded only in times of large-scale mobilization and warfare.
Who is the famous actor to attain the highest US military rank in history for an entertainer and what was his rank?
Jimmy Stewart Stewart notably was the first famous actor to volunteer for World War II service. Not only did he serve as a pilot in the Air Force Reserve, but he also rose all the way to the level of brigadier general. That made him the highest-ranking actor in military history.
What rank was actor Jimmy Stewart in the military?
Stewart entered the Air Force Reserve and retired after 27 years of service with the rank of major general, the highest-ranking Hollywood actor to serve in uniform.
Was Jimmy Stewart really in the military?
On March 22, 1941, Jimmy Stewart was drafted into the U.S. Armed Forces. He was assigned to the Army Air Corps as an enlisted man and stationed at Moffett Field, Calif. During his nine months of training at that base, he also took extension courses with the idea of obtaining a commission.
Who is the most respected soldier?
Here are 9 of the most legendary soldiers to have ever shot, bayoneted, and blown up America's enemies:Gen. George Washington. Photo: Public Domain. ... Sgt. John Lincoln Clem. John Lincoln Clem as a young drummer boy. ... Sgt. Alvin York. ... Sgt. Henry Johnson. ... Sgt. Audie Murphy. ... Gen. George S. ... Gen. Douglas MacArthur. ... Cpl. Tibor Rubin.More items...•
Did Henry Fonda serve in the military?
Already an acclaimed stage and screen actor, Fonda joined the Navy on August 22, 1942. He was quoted as not wanting to “be a fake in a war studio.” At 37, Fonda was almost too old for acceptance into service, but he was determined.
Did John Wayne serve in the military?
Wayne never enlisted and even filed for a 3-A draft deferment, which meant that if the sole provider for a family of four were drafted, it would cause his family undue hardship. The closest he ever came to World War II service was portraying the actions of others on the silver screen.
Did Tom Selleck serve in the military?
During the Vietnam War, Selleck was issued draft orders. To take some measure of control over the situation, he joined the California National Guard in the 160th infantry regiment. He served from 1967 to 1973. He later appeared on California National Guard recruiting posters.
What actor has been in the most war movies?
You know Keith David. If any character actor can be considered as having a lot of time in fictional service, it's Keith David. He was an integral character in the legendary war film Platoon, way back in 1986, and has since been a go-to for military roles.
What famous actor was a Marine?
Drew Carey – Comedian and actor Drew Carey served in the Marine Corps Reserves from 1980 to 1986. He credits his trademark haircut and glasses to the time he spent with the Marines.
Who was the greatest WAR hero in history?
50 of the Most Decorated War Heroes in American HistoryAlvin York. > Rank: Corporal. > Military branch: Army. ... Audie L. Murphy. > Rank: Second lieutenant. ... Daniel J. Daly. ... David McCampbell. > Rank: Commander. ... Desmond Doss. > Rank: Corporal. ... Douglas MacArthur. > Rank: General. ... Edward V. Rickenbacker. ... Eugene B. Fluckey.More items...•
Who is the greatest military genius of all time?
1. Alexander the Great 2. Julius Caesar 3. Genghis Khan 4. NapoleonAlexander the Great.Julius Caesar.Genghis Khan.
Who is the greatest general in history?
Napoleon Bonaparte After 43 battles, he has a WAR score of more than 16, which blows the competition away. There can be no question: Napoleon is the greatest tactical general of all time, and the math proves it.
Did Jimmy Stewart serve in Vietnam?
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 killed at age 24.
How high a rank is brigadier general?
A brigadier general ranks above a colonel and below a major general. The pay grade of brigadier general is O-7. It is equivalent to the rank of rear admiral (lower half) in the other United States uniformed services which use naval ranks.
How many stars is a major general?
two starThe highest rank in the Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps is General (four star), followed by Lieutenant General (three star), Major General (two star) and Brigadier General (one star). Five men have held the rank of General of the Army (five star), George C. Marshall, Douglas MacArthur, Dwight D.
What is a major general in the military?
major general are the first, second, and third grades of general officers in many armies. The United States Army, Air Force, and Marines have a fourth general officer grade, brigadier general (brigadier in the British Army). The highest U.S. Army rank, five-star general of the…
How many tours did Dietrich go on?
Dietrich went on two USO tours during World War II, traveling first to North Africa and Italy, where she was the first entertainer to reach rescued Allied soldiers in Anzio, and then later to France and Germany, with this second tour lasting 11 months, beginning just on the heels of D-Day.
What was Clark Gable's career?
Clark Gable, an actor who was once known as “The King of Hollywood,” had already established a significant acting career, starring in films such as “It Happened One Night,” and “Gone with the Wind;” then, he decided to enlist in the military during World War II.
How long did Elvis Presley serve in the army?
Elvis Presley: Six Years in the Army. In 1958, the King of Rock and Roll gave up his sequins and pompadour hairdo for a uniform and a buzzcut. Elvis Presley had been drafted into the U.S. Army, much to the dismay of his thousands of fawning fans. Photo credit U.S. Army.
What was Marlene Dietrich's job?
She would go on to serve in the U.S. Office of Strategic Services (O.S.S.), the predecessor of today’s CIA, in efforts to undermine Nazi morale, as well as sold war bonds and helped Jewish refugees escape to the United States. Marlene Dietrich sits with American soldiers in France, 1944.
What was the first movie that Stewart enlisted in?
Known for his roles in “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, ” “It’s a Wonderful Life” and many other classic films, Stewart became the first major Hollywood actor to enlist in the military at the onset of the United States’ entry into World War II. Stewart initially served as a flight instructor.
What happened to Gable's wife?
Supposedly, two events factored into Gable’s decision to enlist: the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941 and one month later, Gable’s wife Carole Lombard was killed in an airplane crash as she was returning from a war bonds-selling tour.
What rank did Stewart retire from?
Air Force Reserves, even deploying to Vietnam, and would retire at the rank of brigadier general, making him the highest-ranking actor in American military history. 2. Paul Newman: In the Navy and Aboard the USS Bunker Hill.
Who was the only actor to receive the Medal of Honor?
Murphy was a true American hero and the only actor to have been awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. In fact, Murphy was the most decorated American soldier of World War II who, besides receiving the CMOH, was also awarded 32 additional U.S. and foreign medals and citations, including five from France and one from Belgium. He later went on to appear in 44 films—mostly westerns and a few army films—before he died in a plane crash near Roanoke, Virginia three weeks shy of his 46th birthday. Not surprisingly, he was buried with full military honors in Arlington National Cemetery.
Who was the actor who left Hollywood to serve in the Navy?
Henry Fonda (another actor who left the glitter of Hollywood to serve in the U.S. Navy in WWII); and Jackie Coogan (flew commandoes in gliders into Japanese held territory in Burma.)
How tall was Arness in the movie?
The fictional old west sheriff was every bit as tough as the six-foot, seven-inch tall actor who played him. As a rifleman for 3rd Infantry Division, Arness landed at Anzio, Italy in January, 1944, where he was wounded by enemy fire and evacuated.
Who was at Pearl Harbor in 1941?
Honorable Mentions: Jason Robards (he was at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941); Tom Posten (flew C-47s over Normandy dropping paratroopers on D-Day. Anyone who saw episode 2 of the HBO special Band of Brothers knows just how dangerous that was.);
Who was the straight man on Green Acres?
10. Eddie Albert. People generally remember Eddie Albert as the inept farmer and perennial straight man on the goofy hit 1960’s TV show Green Acres, but few know that he also won the Bronze Star with Combat “V” for his actions during the invasion of Tarawa.
Who was Lee Marvin?
Lee Marvin. This actor, known for his tough guy roles, was a real life roughian who left school to join the United States Marine Corps, serving as a Scout Sniper in the 4th Marine Division in the South Pacific. He was wounded in action during the Battle of Saipan and saw most of his platoon killed.
