JAMES 'JIMMY' STEWART | Unseen Footage Of His War | WW2 

Who’s the 553rd Bomb Group? I’d recommend you do some more exploring to learn about the units and places you mention in your videos! For your info it was the 453rd BG, made up of the following squadrons: 732nd, 733rd, 734th and 735th.

I dont know any other American who garners more respect through his acting, his persona and his duty to Country. As an Aussie, to me Mr Stewart encapsulates the ideal American and patriot.

A true hero.............. and a gentleman to boot. Every man should try to emulate Jimmy Stewart.

General Stewart was a true American Hero and a Great Man. We need millions more just like him.

Brilliant! Am 65, retired US Coast Guard Aircrewman ... always loved and respected Jimmy ... great Role-Model!

Thanks for your work on this! My uncle, Dewey Steele, was at Old Buck in 1944. He, along with his other 10 crewmembers were all killed on Nov 2,1944 when their plane went down over Germany. They were in the 735th Bomb Squadron of the 453rd Bomb Group. It’s one of thousands of stories of duty and sacrifice. My family has visited Old Buck twice to memorialize my uncle’s crew. Thanks for remembering!

On this date in 1966 BG Jimmy Stewart, USAFR, flew his last combat mission over Vietnam for an Arc Light mission. He flew a B52F as part of the 736th Bomb Squadron, 454th Bomb Wing.

Great stuff. Little known fact: When Jimmy returned from the war, the first movie he did was Frank Capra's "It's A Wonderful Life" (my personal all time favorite movie)...there were scenes where Jimmy's character (George Bailey), had to show lots of emotion (depression like sadness). He actually utilized the PTSD he had from the war to show that emotion in the film. When you re-watch it knowing that, you can really tell which scenes as the stress really comes through. BTW - I love that picture of Jimmy talking to his dad outside their hardware store in Indiana, PA. The hardware store was started by Jimmy's grandfather then it was run by his dad. (The originial hardware store is now a Jimmy Stewart Museum). The old time locals in Indiana, PA will tell you what an amazing man Jimmy's father was. The apple didn't fall too far away from that tree 🙂

Jimmy Stewart wasn't the only Big Time movie actor to have a combat role in WWII. David Niven came back to re-join the army the day after war was announced. He ended up in the commando's!

For the record, I knew and 'romanced' for all he would confess, an RCAF 429 Sqdn member. Their pilot was a 'Yank' and knew James personally. In training they were able to fly over England more or less freely. Took advantage of cheap cost of Scotch near their base and delivered it to Jimmys officer HQ (claiming engine trouble for over- night delay if necessary). Made a profit and were very well entertained & fed while there. All the crew were KIA 24/25 May 1944 - except for 'Shorty' Lapoint (MUG), my late good friend who ended up a POW. May God bless all those old Ghosts and let me thank Him for allowing me to share part of their lives when opportunity allowed. Hope somone out there reads this message . . .

Excellent review of Jimmy Stewart’s military flying career and one important English base the USAAF lived, trained, and worked at during WWII. Jimmy was a unique and fascinating individual, father and husband, and respected all who worked with him. You provided a rare introspection much needed in today’s “It’s all about me,” world.

Thanks for this... As a kid born in 46 I was aware of Jimmy's Air Corps. experience as soon as my Dad became the first TV repairman in town, and we had an early round-tube set to watch TV on. His service, and the many films he made promoting the Air Force, are what made me know it was my destination by age 8. Best thing I ever did for myself and country. Sill enjoy those old films, watched two last Fall.

“Nissen hut” is a British term. The larger corrugated galvanized steel huts that were American products were inspired by the British Nissen hut. They were called “Quonset huts” because they were originally manufactured at Quonset Point, Rhode Island. “Quonset” was a Native American (Algonquin) word meaning “small, long place” which is a surprisingly fitting term for the structures that were eventually manufactured there.

Jimmy Stewart was the greatest in so many ways this is the icing on the cake!!!

A beautifully told story and places saved from oblivion.

I’m a proud relative of Jimmy Stewart! Amazing what this man did for his country.

Fantastic work Rob! Really enjoyed the video. Jimmy Stewart, a true icon.

So happy to come across this. My uncle, Darwin K. Morgan, was stationed at Old Buckenham. He was a flight engineer/top turret gunner. The entire crew was shot down with a full load of bombs over Salzwedel, Germany on April 8, 1944.

Jimmy Stewart was a great, American hero!! Thank you for this video!! May we never forget all these young men’s and women’s service, especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice with their future life!!!🇺🇸🇬🇧🙏🫡👏

Great job on this very humble war hero Jimmy Stewart, love the way he broke down all 9 of the crew and their importance...

I am so happy you showed us this video! I love Jimmy Stewart, a great actor and a fine man. Where they lived was so fascinating. When that goes part of our history will go too.Don't you think they should have been preserved for posterity? Our country seems ok with tearing down parts of our history but once its gone its gone for ever. Every footprint of that time will be lost..

My father served in the U.S.A.F. during the early to late 1960's as a crew chief on B-52 bombers. According to his military records he was sent to multiple bases all over the U.S. to train other air crews on all the latest tech, tools, etc., and I have a copy of a letter of commendation to my grandfather from General Curtis LeMay, recognizing my dad's exemplary service in SAC, Strategic Air Command. Sometime after this, my dad said that Brigadier General Jimmy Stewart once inspected "his bird", which was a real thrill for my father, who grew up on a remote farm in northwest Oklahoma. Mr. Stewart was a very highly respected person, actor, pilot and military officer who personified that image of a "likeable, down-home country boy who done good", but with major charisma and a helluva lot more! He was always a favorite around our house! My dad passed in 2009 at the age of 79, and was laid to rest in the military cemetery in Riverside, California, very near March AFB, one of the last bases he served at as a reservist. I was barely a teenager then, and two of my siblings and I had all been born at Travis AFB in northern California in the early 1950's. Can you imagine the thrill of a young boy having the chance to climb up into the cockpit of the immense B-52s, C-130s, and several other iconic aircraft of the Cold War period. In the early 1980s, as an 40-something adult, I got to attend my dad's bomb wing reunion at Castle AFB, where we had once lived, and again, I got to climb up into this famous bird, that is still up and flying combat missions so many decades later. I am now 71 years old... AND, the B-52 has been flying just about as long as I have been alive... a very real testament to outstanding decades of service due to the efforts of these incredible servicemen and women of years past, and present. And, that mighty bird, or "BUFF" (aka Big Ugly Fat F*cker, as she is sometimes referred to), is projected to continue flying for at least another couple of decades, which means the aircraft will likely outlive me by a lot of years... something very rare in an aircraft's lifetime.

My uncle Clinton was 1st officer on a B24...5th AAF, 90th BGH, 320th BS in the Pacific (11/44 -8/45). He later became an aircraft Commander (among the first pilots) with SAC flying B36s, then B52s until he retired at the end of the Vietnam War. He was a huge fan of Jimmy Stewart and he took me to see "Strategic Air Command" at the airbase theater he was based out of in California back in about 1967 or 68. This little film brought back many great memories of both him and Jimmy. Thank you so much!!!

Thanks for posting this, I never knew Jimmy Stewart was in the Army Airforce. My Dad was in there also, he was in the same unit with Deforest Kelly, Star Treks Dr. McCoy. Jimmy has always been my favorite actor.Thanks again

Half a Brit Here. My mun was RAF, and my GI father was a glider guy. I grew up on Jimmy Stewart and David Niven movies. They are many actors who fought for freedom during that time. Charles Bronson was one. He flew many missions in the Pacific, and saved members of his crew aboard their burning B-29. My parents didn't star in any movies, but I'm damn happy that they found each another. RIP mom and dad. Bless all that served.

Thanks for sharing the video. Jimmey Stewart is a favorite actor of mine too,

Thank you so much for this! Looking at the site now is so haunting. It’s a shame it’s not a museum. We really need to remember these places and what had happened! This Really means a lot to me because a close family member did the same thing Jimmy Steward did and was a full-blown colonel at the end of 5 years. He stayed in the Army afterwards until the early sixties. I don’t know what his job was either bombadier or navagator (or both)… he was stationed in another part of England though. Jimmy was an amazing man from a time of amazing men.

Thank you. The pictures of the B-17 Bs (big tail, no tail gunner -9 vs 10 crew) are also good to see.

My wife likes Jimmy Stuart in the black and white Christmas film l visited this nice little air field god bless them all true legends very friendly people had a nice conversation about the USAAF legend pilots and of course the ground crew best wishes to all the staff it was a pleasure talking with you

You are most certainly welcome! A great documentation!

Beautifully done. He is my favorite actor as well.

Excellent video. Thank you for sharing.

This was a fantastic episode! Subscribed and sharing!

Thanks for sharing, enjoyed the video. I learned about Jimmy Stewart in East Anglia while doing a driving course at Lotus in Hethel. Their test track is a former WW2 base like a lot of race tracks in the UK and they shared a story that he had visited Hethel during a court marshal type case where some airmen had apparently mistakenly bombed Switzerland while lost in bad weather and he involved in the hearing. The old control tower was where we watched the track but think it's been taken down now as was unsafe.

Thank you for this video.

I went to Highfield school in Southampton in early sixties. The school buildings were same Shape huts from the war. But on the common so a lovely location

Jimmy rose through the ranks quickly because he was already an experience single and multi engine pilot when he enlisted.

Great video. Thanks.

Excellent commentary, thanks!

Thank you for this great video, Mr Stewart was a great American x, and to see these wartime airfields , all these years later is fascinating, well done 👍🇬🇧❤️🇺🇲

I recently finished reading masters of the air & it was EXCELLENT. I believe the larger huts are called Quonset huts, we had some where I was stationed and that's what everyone called them. When I was reading the book I always knew Jimmy flew with the 8th but never realized he flew as many combats missions as he did. I also didn't know he eventually became operations officer and also commanding officer of his squadron. However I did know he became a general and retired from the Air Force, but I never knew he flew combat in Vietnam. FLY NAVY!!!

James Stewart narrating on “The Yukon Passage” for national geographic….perfect combo!

I live in Suffolk,im literally 20minutes away from Old Buckingham,and a tad less from Thorpe Abbots,Mendlesham,Eye,Rougham,and many more,East Anglia is littered with these old bases.Visited Thorpe Abotts a couple of weekends ago,fantastic place with so many stories.When you pause for rhought at the terrible losses they suffered its frightening.😕🇬🇧

Loved it!

most incredible video I've ever seen on RU-vid. INSANE.

This man was a famous actor and would have been allowed to continue acting in Hollywood instead of joining the armed forces in the war. Instead he volunteered and became a bomber pilot in one of the most dangerous combat areas in WW2. He even flew more missions than the obligatory 25 before returning home. He even stayed in the USAF rising to the rank of general after the war. You cannot show more dedication to your country than James Stewsrt did, a courageous man and excellent actor, one of my favourites of all time.

Great video thanks for showing 👍 😊

My favorite overall actor and human being

🏆Excellent educational historical vid, Jimmy Stewart was a very humble gentleman and I'm grateful for his service. When enlisted, Jimmy must've had Clarence the Angel looking out for him. (; 💐Thanks for sharing.

Thank you.

Jimmy Stewart remained a rated pilot through the rest of his career in the reserves. He flew his last combat mission in the right seat of B-52 in South Vietnam.

Nice vlog mate very interesting but what about the actor Audie Murphy ? the most decorated American of ww2 I don’t know why people forget about him 🤔 I really enjoyed this vlog thank you 👏

Excellent Job !

excellent look at Jimmy Stewart's heroics. Seems like a good man. well done

B-24 Liberators Stewart was concerned that his celebrity status would relegate him to duties behind the lines. After spending over a year training pilots at Kirtland Army Airfield in Albuquerque, New Mexico, he appealed to his commander and in November 1943 was sent to England as part of the 703d Bomb Squadron to fly B-24 Liberators. Not B-17.

thank you for taking the time to make this video and doing the work. Jimmy Stewart was a man of great character and humility. A real hero of the war that the United States can be proud of - and not a simple propaganda tool like another 'famous actor' I wont name.

My father was in the 453rd BG, 732nd BS, 2nd Air Division, 8th AAF, Jimmy Stewart’s unit. My dad was a flight engineer he and his crew were shot down in their 13th mission and became POWs. The narrator misspoke it was not the 553rd, it was the 453rd, Walter Matthau was also in the same unit.

IIRC, Jimmy Stewart flew 20 combat bomber missions in both the B-17 and the B-24. Much respect for a brave man, though he apparently suffered from PTSD for years after WW2. 👌💖

Brilliant well done

There was a baseball play in usmc in pacific. Ted Williams

Very interesting piece of work indeed, thanks. I always thought that Jimmy Stewart was at Thorpe Abbots. Obviously not!

In NOV 1977, 23 at the time, I had the Priviledge of meeting Jimmy Stewart at the Hilton Hotel Wilshire Blvd at Lucille Ball's 25th anniversary do..Jimmy STEWART a Scot, and a very fine Gentleman..My Mother lived in a Nissen HUT at Stoney Cross near Lyndhurst 1949 her first home.

My grandfather flew with Jimmy Stewart within the 703b squadron. He liked to say Jimmy was a ‘prince of a gentleman’ and ‘had rough missions like the rest of us’ There was a tough mission where less than 50% of planes returned. My grandfathers plane was struck behind the cockpit by an 88 shell. Creating a whole and ripping the boots right off my grandfathers feet (top gunner) Thankfully the shell didn’t explode. Grandpa always said the shell was built by slave labor, so it was a dud. Jimmy and the captain had a great relationship. Worried about his friend and the crew he rushed to the plan after landing. Thankfully all survived. Apparently, Jimmy and the captain got so drunk that night Jimmy missed a press event the next day. Some say they may have had a little infirmary stay. “9 Yanks and a Jerk” was written to document their journey. One of many stories.

Thank you

thanks for a great video about Jimmy. How many air bases was there across GB?

Great story about a Great man. As he said: he is just part of a team of guys doing a job.

His operations could not be contrived to keep this famous film star out of harms way,Which makes you respect him all the more,when I’m sure he could “done his bit” in a safer way

Tyrone Power enlisted in the US Marines in 1942, at the age of 28. He was Honor Man in his Boot Camp platoon. He was then sent to OCS for officer school. After being commissioned, he went to Corpus Cristi TX for pilot training. He had a civilian private pilots license prior to enlisting. Power was assigned to fly transports [R4Ds and R5Ds (C-47s and C-46s) as he was too old for combat missions] He flew supplies and fresh troops into Iwo Jima and Okinawa - and flew the wounded and nurses out. He was Major in the USMC Reserve when he died.

I have seen Jimmy in his Role as in HARVEY in the Theater in London in the 1970's I sat in the front row where we looked at each other ,great guy.

Americans developed the Quonset Hut, a bigger version of the Nissen Hut in WWII. The USN Sea Bees [Construction Battallions] first built them at Quonset Point, RI.

It would have been nice if you could have gotten video of B-24s or B-17E or later versions. The aircraft you include here are the Y1B17s flown by Lt. Curtis LeMay when the 2d Bombardment Group made its "goodwill tour" of Latin America in March 1938. They were preproduction aircraft the Army Air Corps was using to evaluate the plane before deciding on full production.

Jimmy Stewart's first combat missions were flown with the 445th Bomb Group, 703rd squadron, flying from Tibenham (as noted in the video). He also returned to Tibenham after the war and flew with the Norfolk Gliding Club, which now owns the remaining portions of the base.

Brilliant about Jimmy Stewart legendary actor and legendary flyer you can understand why the men looked up to him total respect 🤝🙏🫶R.I.P Jimmy Stewart 🙏

Very cool.

At the 2:53 mark the aircraft shown is 1 of approximately 287 liberators operated by the Australian RAAF

Ahh, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance.....well, almost. John Wayne actually did the deed. Always liked Stewart as an actor, and knew he flew combat in WW2. If memory serves me correctly didn't Stewart remain in the Air Force( Reserves or National Guard) post war as a B47 Bomber Unit Commander? I believe he retired as a General. Great video Rob, thanks.

Very good vid, thanks, massive respect for General Stewart but he's not the only pre-war movie star with outstanding service, remember also lieutenant colonel David Niven ("Anyone who says a bullet sings past, hums past, flies, pings, or whines past, has never heard one - they go crack!") who gave up hollywood to join the commandos and then lead a reconnaisance squadron into Normandy in June 44.

Cool 👍🏾

It should be noted that the B-17's in the first formation images were A, B, C, and D models and never used in Europe. The E model was the first used for offensive combat and had a larger tail with a gun, no "blisters" on the fuselage sides, had a top and ball turret and carried a crew of ten instead of nine, as the film Stewart narrated showed. Further, Stewart flew the B-24 during his service (some film footage is shown), not the B-17. It's great to see old footage like is shown in this video, but comment should be made as to its accuracy regarding the subject of the video, which is James Stewart and his service.

I hope you can do a couple of 'then and now' photo locations for Jimmy's visit back to Tibenham in June 1975....I've been meaning to go there myself for that reason...and I think there is speculation that that is where his iconic picture sat on the control tower railings was taken

The bigger structures were called Quonset Hut, after the location at Quonset Point/ Rhode Island where they were first set up...

Gots to give him props as he put his acting career on the back burner and volunteered his life to get shot at while flying dangerous missions over france and germany. Getting hit with flak bursts and enemy fighters ain't no joke.

I appreciate the effort but you’re a bit off. Stewart was the operations officer and later commanding officer for the 703rd squadron, 445th bomb group, based out of Tibbenham nearby. My Grandfather was a navigator in the 703rd there. I’d love to see a tour of those grounds if possible.

The round-roofed buildings are called quonset huts. They were used by the US Air Force well into the 21st century.

l lived in just such a building from my birth in 1946 to 1953. The building was on a old Anti Aircraft gun site near Rochford in Essex..

its s shame to see all those old buildings just falling apart... they need to be preserved.

Jensen Hut was maybe the name for the larger version.

Always wondered what the bases looked like where the pilot and crews, plus support staff stayed at

Eddie Albert too.

Me too! LOVE JS! He would be appalled at the state of the Boeing organization these days kowtowing to investors and ignoring and dismissing their own employees. I understand things are changing, let’s hope it will be soon enough to prevent more air disasters.

Bless James Stewart. As they said back in the day.( Don't give me any flack!)

Thanks for a very interesting video. Liked....Subbed....Rang Bell

Jimmy Stewart was a great American patriot! RIP Jimmy! 🇺🇸

"Goose Green Motors".....nice

Im from his hometown (Indiana,PA). He lost a step son in Vietnam.

The building were called quansite huts here in the states.

Those are YB-17s in the film. Funny to see how many changes came from the original design.

I liked the video but I do have a question about some of your footage of the YB 17 and not the B17s. It was the predecessor to the B 17. I am sure you will take some grief over this. I know the vid is about Jimmy and he is Iconic and a hero of mine. He and many of his generation will be missed. Given the contemporary role models of the "iconic" man, I will stick with my wartime heroes from WWII. They were a much different breed that what we see today. Selfless, courageous, true patriots. May they all rest in peace. On their backs and sacrifices, America became strong and a world contender. A far cry from what we see today. I, like many have done my part but at times, I wonder if it was worth it. So many weak narcissist jockeying for their time in the limelight. Although Jimmy and a few others have earned their rightful place in that limelight, so many more have not to the detriment of our country. The old breed was not a bunch of braggarts telling of their glory. Most took the full measure of their hardship stoically, silently and to the grave. This I understand and has an ordered peace to it! May they all rest in peace.

Looks like a Quonset hut, based on the British Nissen hut, but wider.

James Stewart belonged to the old U.S.A. where patritism,sense of reponsa bility, high moral values and respect were at an all time high, even though racism was also very markes.