Hollywood actors-B17 Missions (1 Viewer)

[TomB]

Does anyone know how many Hollywood actors flew B17 mission in WW2 or flew in the Navy or Marines.....I know Jimmy Stewart flew 17 as a pilot and Clark Gable 3 as an air gunner....was there any other actors who flew missions....I know there was a well known actor who flew the lumbering PBY in the Pacific but I cannot remember who it was ....Jack Palace (wrong spelling) was injured in a Corsair crash.....anyone else ?......TomB

 

[Harper (aka Spitfrnd)]

There were quite a few more current or future actors flying in WWII, including
Gene Autry - Flight Officer, Air Transport Command
James Best - US Army Air Corps, bomber gunner
Jackie Coogan - US Army Air Corps, glider pilot for commando missions
Brian Keith - USMC, aerial gunner
Jack Palance US Army Air Corps. B-24 pilot
Tyrone Power - USMC Pilot, flew supplies in and wounded out of Iwo Jima and Okinawa
Daniel Pleasance - RAF Pilot, Lancaster pilot

There were many, many more with notable WWII non-aviation experience, including
James Arness - US Army, wounded at Anzio. Purple Heart and Bronze Star
Eddie Albert - US Navy. Drove Amtracks in several Pacific invasions including Saipan and Tarawa, Bronze Star
Douglas Fairbanks Jr. - US Navy. served on the Battleship Massachuesetts and was a Commando raider
Audrey Hepburn, child courier for resistance fighters in Holland
Patrick MacNee British Royal Navy, commanded torpedo boat in North Sea
Lee Marvin - US Marines -wounded at the battle of Saipan where he was one of only nine survivors of his unit
Rod Stieger - US Navy, torpedoman
Henry Fonda - US Navy, destroyer and air intelligence officer - Bronze Star

 

[TomB]

There were quite a few more current or future actors flying in WWII, including
Gene Autry - Flight Officer, Air Transport Command
James Best - US Army Air Corps, bomber gunner
Jackie Coogan - US Army Air Corps, glider pilot for commando missions
Brian Keith - USMC, aerial gunner
Jack Palance US Army Air Corps. B-24 pilot
Tyrone Power - USMC Pilot, flew supplies in and wounded out of Iwo Jima and Okinawa
Daniel Pleasance - RAF Pilot, Lancaster pilot

There were many, many more with notable WWII non-aviation experience, including
James Arness - US Army, wounded at Anzio. Purple Heart and Bronze Star
Eddie Albert - US Navy. Drove Amtracks in several Pacific invasions including Saipan and Tarawa, Bronze Star
Douglas Fairbanks Jr. - US Navy. served on the Battleship Massachuesetts and was a Commando raider
Audrey Hepburn, child courier for resistance fighters in Holland
Patrick MacNee British Royal Navy, commanded torpedo boat in North Sea
Lee Marvin - US Marines -wounded at the battle of Saipan where he was one of only nine survivors of his unit
Rod Stieger - US Navy, torpedoman
Henry Fonda - US Navy, destroyer and air intelligence officer - Bronze Star

Thank you for that wealth of information...Tyrone Power was the PBY pilot I was trying to remember....Knew Eddie Albert was a beach officer on 6 of June and done a good job, did not know about the Amtracks bit....Audrey Hepburn, did not known that one...good on her.....did hear Gene Autry fly C47's over the hump in Burma.....No John Wayne....must have been busy elsewhere.......thanks for the info...cheers TomB

 

[Harper (aka Spitfrnd)]

Thank you for that wealth of information...Tyrone Power was the PBY pilot I was trying to remember....Knew Eddie Albert was a beach officer on 6 of June and done a good job, did not know about the Amtracks bit....Audrey Hepburn, did not known that one...good on her.....did hear Gene Autry fly C47's over the hump in Burma.....No John Wayne....must have been busy elsewhere.......thanks for the info...cheers TomB

My pleasure, interesting topic. The Duke did not serve in WWII but it was not for lack of trying. He was 34 and exempt (A-3) when the war started but tried to get reclassified A-1. Republic, which held his contract, threatened Wayne with a lawsuit and even intervened in the Selective Service process, requesting Wayne's further deferment, which was granted. His surviving family has said it was a great source of frustration and even guilt for him.

 

[Harper (aka Spitfrnd)]

Another interesting related fact that few know is that Charles Lindbergh sought to be recommissioned in the USAAF when the war broke out, he was then 39. The Secretary of War, Henry L. Stimson, declined the request on instructions from the White House. He was allowed to consult in the Pacific as a technical representative of United Aircraft, teaching some valuable performance techniques to Corsair pilots. He ultimately had his way however, when he secretly flew many P-38 combat missions in the South Pacific with the 475th Fighter Group, including one in which he downed an enemy fighter that had eluded the entire flight. He also later demonstration flew the newly introduced P-51 in mock combat against Dick Bong (in his trusty P-38) and did a number on him in showing the better dogfighting characteristics of the Mustang.

 

[lancer]

Another interesting related fact that few know is that Charles Lindbergh sought to be recommissioned in the USAAF when the war broke out, he was then 39. The Secretary of War, Henry L. Stimson, declined the request on instructions from the White House. He was allowed to consult in the Pacific as a technical representative of United Aircraft, teaching some valuable performance techniques to Corsair pilots. He ultimately had his way however, when he secretly flew many P-38 combat missions in the South Pacific with the 475th Fighter Group, including one in which he downed an enemy fighter that had eluded the entire flight. He also later demonstration flew the newly introduced P-51 in mock combat against Dick Bong (in his trusty P-38) and did a number on him in showing the better dogfighting characteristics of the Mustang.

Great info.When he was with the 475th, Lindbergh was the butt of Tommy McGuire's sense of humor on several occasions but apparently got him back once or twice. Lindbergh also showed the P-38 pilots how to get greatly extended range out of their aircraft, something of great value when over the vast waters of the Pacific. I think I read that the pilots on the mission to get Yamamoto used his extended range techniques, but I might be remembering wrong. -- Al

 

[Harper (aka Spitfrnd)]

Great info.When he was with the 475th, Lindbergh was the butt of Tommy McGuire's sense of humor on several occasions but apparently got him back once or twice. Lindbergh also showed the P-38 pilots how to get greatly extended range out of their aircraft, something of great value when over the vast waters of the Pacific. I think I read that the pilots on the mission to get Yamamoto used his extended range techniques, but I might be remembering wrong. -- Al

That is what I have read. It all started on a long mission where Charlie ended up with 260 gallons left after 7 hours while his wingman had 70. He later showed them all how to get 9 hours endurance and still have room to fight.

 

[TomB]

That is what I have read. It all started on a long mission where Charlie ended up with 260 gallons left after 7 hours while his wingman had 70. He later showed them all how to get 9 hours endurance and still have room to fight.

I think you are right.....I have read that somewhere before about Linburge...cheers TomB

 

[Mirof]

You can also have a look at :
http://pphilip.xanga.com/763466370/men-of-the-flying-fortress-b-17/
Best

 

[Harper (aka Spitfrnd)]

Good information, especially noting Gene Roddenberry and Tom Landry as B-17 pilots.