Jimmy Stewart: Bomber Pilot

Great man, Great read!

Like it. Big fan of Jimmy Stewart alwayd.

Attempting to write an objective review of Starr Smith’s Jimmy Stewart: Bomber Pilot Kindle Edition create a problem. Absent any other source a reader can only conclude that Jimmy Stewart was a good person, a patriot and a very good combat leader. I have no information to argue against any of this description. Jimmy Stewart’s war time service is more than a little remarkable. As a top of his class Hollywood movie star he was under no pressure to serve, much less serve to serve in combat. The draft had originally rejected him and that could have been the end of the story. He volunteered.In part because he had several hundred hours as a pilot he got into a unit where he trained to pilot heavy bombers. He still could have avoided flying in combat.Ultimately, he rose from enlisted status to a post war rank of General. And besides flying 20 combat missions became commander of successively larger Army Air Corps bombing units.So far Smith’s book reads like the kind of book you might find that a war museum had written as much to promote the museum as to honor the man. It could have been written on behest of his family or home town. If you are looking for a book that honors a man who life is a positive inspiration Jimmy Stewart: Bomber Pilot Kindle Edition is that book.Mostly it is an easy read with much of the same “Aw shucks” feel that made so many of Stewart’s movie role comfortable and friendly. He may have been that person before the camera and in his vital, critical role as a flying officer.Speaking for myself, I found it repetitious. In particular Smith uses material from a variety of speeches and letters about Jimmy Stewart, then publishes the same letters as addendums to the book. Further Smith, having been an intelligence offers in several of the same units as Stewart is overly enamored of the Army Air Corps TAC school. It was the TAC School that had made the case for America to commit to strategic bombing. It Is not clear that what was achieved by bombing cities was worth the cost in civilian lives or in lost airmen. The case is very strong that tactical air, targeting rail roads, supply truck convoys, and especially air fields was a war winning effort.The audience for Jimmy Stewart: Bomber Pilot Kindle Edition is folks looking for the positive example of a good, patriotic leader of warriors. Not those looking for more complete analysis

First, the content is five star but the presentation is not so I gave it four.Jimmy Stewart was far more than just a successful actor and entertainer. Anyone who would, while they had the soft life beckoning from behind, enter the 8th Air Force and fly honest to goodness bombing raids over Europe was far removed from Tinsel Town and gilded statues.I had heard of Mr Stewart's war time efforts and, while the writing is a bit simplistic and perhaps repetitive, this book gives you a front row seat to his bravery (and it defines not just Stewart's but all those courageous men with whom he flew and worked during WWII), perseverance, and intelligence in the face of real life ending danger. The 8th Air Force had a mortality rate that exceeded the USMC in the Pacific and there was by no means anyone immune to that potential. The book takes from the memories and memoirs of men who served with Stewart and their stories are entwined with his making this not just a story of a Hollywood actor who "went to war" but one of parity, respect and affections that lasted a lifetime after the conflict. Others share the stories of Jimmy Stewart's efforts to 'get into the fray' and describe his positive and uplifting effect on those he commanded and served with in the skies and command rooms of the Army Air Force. How men 'felt safe' when Capt. Stewart was leading the raids and "felt they'd all come back". The author describes the terrible "flak" over the targets of Germany and then the "fighters", how men who shared Stewart's commitment to excellence fought for the world's freedoms and did it day after day after day even as their friends fell from the skies and died in record numbers.Smith takes us through Jimmy Stewart's upbringing, family life, early acting and then his draft experiences (culminating in 'deferral') followed by his "enlistment" because "we all had to do our part!" We may remember him in "It's A Wonderful Life" or "Destry Rides Again" but the story of how he rose through the ranks, refused special treatment, was respected and deeply liked by the men who fought with him, these are special accolades and describe a man that exceeded his celluloid reputation and status. It is a fine book about a very fine young man who sacrificed several years out of a story book life to don the uniform of the US Army Air Corp and help defeat Nazi Germany. It gives new meaning to Stewart's name. I'll never see another movie where he stars without thinking, "this was a cake walk for a guy who risked it all 20,000 feet over Germany just like the regular Joes!"

This book gives a fairly straight-forward account of Jimmy Stewart’s love affair with flying and his urgent need use his flying skills for his country. Oh yes, he was a very successful actor too, but apparently his real sense of worth came from his involvement and leadership in the Mighty Eighth Air Force when based in England and flying raids against Nazi Germany. His modest and skilled “aw shucks fellas” leadership style earned him the respect and love of his fellow fliers as well as his superiors.I knew Stewart had served in World War II, but I didn’t realize the extent of his service. Or the fact that even after the war he continued to serve in the Reserves where he became a Brigadier General. It is somewhat unfortunate that J. M. Stewart is known primarily for his movie-acting career and not so much for his military career. As an actor he followed the same personal standards and style that set him apart in the Army Air Force --- standards and style that few of today’s self-absorbed show-biz players fail to exhibit.The author of this book, Starr Smith, a publicity officer, was nearby throughout most of Stewart’s military career, consequently he had some unique access to those who knew and worked with Jimmy during that time. He has drawn on the observations of these people, and has devoted a separate section of the book to their comments. I’m sure there are other books about Jimmy Stewart that are perhaps less disjointed and better-written, but I doubt there are any that bring Smith’s familiarity and perspective to the story.

Wonderful book about one of our most beloved wartime heroes. Thank you for sharing with us so much about such a great man.

I have always wanted to know about his time flying bombers in world war 2 as only knowing little bits but this book help to fill in what I did not know and only done half the book , a great read

The story is of his time in WII as a bomber pilot and commander. Easy reading but I would have preferred to hear more about his later service adventures as well. It is hard to believe that this is the same person who was in "It's a Wonderful Life" but it shows what a good actor he was.

Well written by someone who served with him so no guessing just the facts. Very interesting and insightful. 👍🏻

The collective detail in this book is amazing. Well-written about the Eighth Air Force who just happened to have a famous member. From a leadership/mentoring/training point of view I am surprised it has not found more attention. Well done, Starr Smith

Brilliant story of Jimmy Stewart’s Air Force career, starting with his war time experience and then his lesser known continuing career thereafter, in parallel with his brilliant acting career.A true hero.