Stewart, James Maitland "Jimmy"

Date of birth:: May 20th, 1908 (Indiana/Pennsylvania, United States)
Date of death:: July 2nd, 1997 (Beverly Hills--Los Angeles County/California, United States)
Service number:: 0-433210
Nationality:: American (1776 - present, Republic)

Biography

James Maitland Stewart was born May 20th, 1908, the son of Alexander Maitland Stewart and Elizabeth Ruth Stewart-Jackson and he had two younger sisters. Already in his school years, he took up acting and he became a professional actor after he had completed his education. When he joined the military service in 1940, he already had 28 parts in motion pictures to his credit.
James Stewart earned his private pilot’s license as early as 1935 and in 1938 he received his commercial pilot’s license. He joined the military service on March 22, 1941 as a private.
During the war he rose to the rank of Colonel, after the war he served as Reserve Officier. He finally retired in 1968 in the rank of Major General. He continued acting throughout.
Apart from his World War Two decorations, James Stewart was also awarded the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, th Armed Forces Reserve Medal, the Army Commendation Medal and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He was also entitled to wear the U.S. Air Force Presidential Unit Citation.

Promotions:
1941: Private;
January 19th, 1942: 2nd Lieutenant;
July 7th, 1942: 1st Lieutenant;
July 9th, 1943: Captain;
January 7th, 1944: Major;
June 3rd, 1944: Lieutenant Colonel;
March 29th,1945: Temporary Colonel;
1953: Colonel;
July 23rd, 1959: Brigadeer General;
May 31st, 1968: Major General.

Career:
? - 1926: Mercersburg Academy prep school;
1928 - 1932: Princeton University;
1942: Instructor Aircraft Training, Mather Field;
August 1942 - December 1942: Instructor Kirtland Army Airfield, Albuquerque;
?: Hobbs Army Airfield, New Mexico;
?: Combat Crew Processing Center, Salt Lake City;
1943: Instructor 29th Bombardment Group, Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho;
August 1943: Operations Officer 703rd Bombardment Squadron, 445th Bombardment Group;
March 30th, 1944: Group Operations Officer, 453rd Bombardment Group;
July 1st, 1944: Executive Officer 2nd Bomb Wing;
1944: Staff 20th Bomb Wing;
May 10th, 1945 - June 15th, 1945: Commanding Officer 2nd Bomb Wing;
?: Air Force Reserve Commander, Dobbins Air Reserve Base;
May 31st, 1968: Retirement.

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Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Lieutenant Colonel
Awarded on:: February 1944

Received for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight during World War II.

Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Lieutenant Colonel
Awarded on:: 1944

Citation:
"For extraordinary achievement, while serving as Air Commander of heavy bombardment formations on many missions to enemy occupied territory during World War II. Lieutenant Colonel Stewart's skillful leadership and sound judgment in guiding his formations to heavily defended targets requiring deep penetrations have been major factors in the successful destructions of these vital enemy installations. The outstanding tactical ability displayed by Lieutenant Colonel Stewart reflects the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States."

Second DFC awarded in the form of a bronze oak leaf cluster to be worn on the ribbon of the first DFC.