What knowledge in his head could possibly have been worth eleven other lives?!? If what he knew was that valuable, why was he in the field at all?? Who was running the show?? i can't find a single report or document that suggests any one person was in charge of making decisions. Why were our comms so badly penetrated? I mean, I get that we didn't have encrypted radios yet, but frequency controls? We could literally have rolled out FHSS radios in the sixties but congress didn't want to spend the money. Better, more secure map indicators and radio codes would surely have helped. Might have saved a bunch of lives too.
THANK YOU so much for preparing this excellent tribute to MY FAVORITE actor of all time. No finer patriot has existed than Jimmy Stewart -- some his equal to be sure, but none better. He selflessly LAID IT ALL ON THE LINE by enlisting to serve even BEFORE the U.S. was officially in WW II (career, money, fame, his future earning potential, and his very life) when he didn't even have to serve. As a retired AF veteran myself and long time Jimmy Stewart fan since childhood, I already knew pretty much all the facts you presented EXCEPT the story you related about him declining his promotion to O-4 UNLESS his fellow officers were ALSO promoted a grade from 1Lt to Captain. What terrific LEADERSHIP !!!!!!!!!!!! The U.S. desperately needs MORE Jimmy Stewarts.
A superbly-written, compiled, and narrated production of one of America's greatest patriots. Thank you for sharing this great tribute to the exemplary, modest, and heroic American that Jimmy Stewart was. Anil N. Heendeniya, SMSgt, US Air Force (retired)
Thank you so much for taking the time and effort to put this together. I had no idea about the extent of his military service. What a true patriot and hero!! I agree with one of the previous comments.. he would have made an unbelievable President of our country. May he rest in peace and may this story continue to be told and to inspire all present and future generations to come!
I can't be the only person who's getting tired of getting these half-truth, Hollywood, bullsh*t, "based on a true story", versions of these events to where, every single time the story is told you get some new piece(s) of information that would've been nice to know, in the interest of learning what the f*ck actually happened. I get it that some info is classified to keep our soldiers safe. But, what's happening now is people (producers) taking whatever creative freedoms they want to try and make a story more dramatic, or hold information back to try and protect people. And, you feel like you're only getting half the story, if that. I purchased Saving Bravo, and would like to think that enough time has passed to where we get the full story. Thank you to this man for this interview, and the channel for paying respect to all the people who died saving that pilot.
James M Stewart was one of a kind. He entered the military as a Private; retired as a General. In his spare time he made movies...all time classic films that are still cherished today. He and Gen Curtis LeMay founded the "Net Jet" concept of communal ownership of private planes. He was a proponent of environmental causes and his own daughter worked to protect endangered gorillas in Africa. The world is a better place for having had Major Gen Stewart in it.
Failed his physical for being UNDER-weight! How often does THAT happen nowadays?? SO...if he were in the Marines, the DI would have said: "....and are you supposed to EAT carrots and celery?" "Sir-negative SIR!" "and, why is THAT?!?" "Because I'm skinnier than Sinatra, SIR" "Because Yewwww are a disgusting THIN body!!" Sometimes, you need to worry about Hyperthyroidism and even Schizophrenia with an underweight young person. Nowadays, McDonald's and KFC are doing their "patriotic duty."
Thank you for a wonderful production on the military career of this honorable, humble man. I never knew he suffered from PTSD, but the before and after pictures speak for trauma.
Thank you for putting this together. These were amazing people. Loved watching his characters since I was a little boy! I pray this nation remembers what true evil is and what true good and honor is .
This man was a true hero! His story is truly inspiring. Men like him and Audie Murphy are a rare breed. As someone has already stated., he would have made a great President! A man of honor, courage, and humility. A true star in every way.
Ironically, US born Lord Haw-Haw was pronounced by the allies as Lord Whore-Whore. He apparently was not laughing when they hanged him for treason in 1946.
I always have enjoyed watching James Stewart as an Actor and knew he had served as a Pilot during WW2. I did not know the history behind his Service, it is truly amazing and inspiring. He was truly a man of honor courage, dedication and distinction; who led by example! Thank you for sharing his story with us.
Any movie with Jimmy Stewart in it reflects American values, American culture, and American courage. Jimmy Stewart's character made him a role model for all.
I have admired his talent and service to our country ever since seeing his movie "Strategic Air Command" in 1955. Never dreamed that I would one day serve in a B-52 outfit in SAC. I could hear just a few words of his voice and know that it was him, my all time favorite actor. This video was very good and it filled the gap in my knowledge about his military history. Thanks!
Fantastic video. I used to live not too far from Tibenham and Old Buckenham,and after reading 'Jimmy Stewart Bomber Pilot' I felt I should visit Old Buckenham and pay my respects to Jimmy and the men who served under him, and give thanks for the help that the USAAF gave to this country during WW2. Bless you Jimmy,you were truly a great pilot,but more importantly,a wonderful human being.
I so agree. Can you imagine the culture shock of living in a village in the midlands and to have a massive influx of Yanks such as happened in 1942-43? I’m certain there are thousands of stories waiting to be heard from that period. I hope people who were so young then are able to recount their stories on the record. I feel as if we should take phone, recorder and camera and visit those we know (or don’t know) in towns and villages before they’re gone.
In the book "Bat 21" Hamilton did have a wealth of knowledge about some part of our nuclear weapons systems and that is the reason for the extensive efforts made to recover him. The rescue attempts by the Jolly Greens were standard procedure for all downed pilots; but the navy SEAL Norris being sent there and tasked with the mission to go get Hamilton was not standard procedure = Hamilton was an individual vital to not be captured. I also believe there was a movie with Gene Hackman as Hamilton made which is fairly close to actual. If you can find it there is a RU-vid video of SEAL Tom Norris telling his version of this rescue.
