Posted on 07/22/2018 3:42:25 PM PDT by eastforker
In 1942, following Lombard's death, Gable joined the U.S. Army Air Forces. Before her death, Lombard had suggested Gable enlist as part of the war effort, but MGM was obviously reluctant to let him go, and until her death he resisted the suggestion. Gable made a public statement after Lombard's death that prompted Commanding General of the AAF Henry H. Arnold to offer Gable a "special assignment" in aerial gunnery. Gable, despite earlier expressing an interest in officer candidate school (OCS), enlisted on August 12, 1942, with the intention of becoming an enlisted gunner on an air crew. MGM arranged for his studio friend, cinematographer Andrew McIntyre, to enlist with and accompany him through training.[31]
However shortly after his enlistment he and McIntyre were sent to Miami Beach, Florida, where they entered USAAF OCS Class 42-E on August 17, 1942. Both completed training on October 28, 1942, commissioned as second lieutenants. His class of 2,600 fellow students (of which he ranked 700th in class standing) selected Gable as their graduation speaker, at which General Arnold presented them their commissions. Arnold then informed Gable of his special assignment, to make a recruiting film in combat with the Eighth Air Force to recruit gunners. Gable and McIntyre were immediately sent to Flexible Gunnery School at Tyndall Field, Florida, followed by a photography course at Fort George Wright, Washington, and promoted to first lieutenants upon completion.[31]
(Excerpt) Read more at airforce.togetherweserved.com ...
Adolf Hitler esteemed Gable above all other actors; during the Second World War he offered a sizable reward to anyone who could capture and bring Gable unscathed to him
Asking admin to please correct title USAAF.
“Asking admin to please correct title USAAF.”
Don’t change it! That’s why I clicked on it.
Compare and contrast to the the scum in Hollywood these days.
Clark Gable was the real deal.
Gable was, by all accounts I have seen, a very standup military man and was ready to do his job without all the celebrity.
Harder in practice than it is in theory, though.
I was just gonna make a comment along those lines. These threads are a real treat with the old time actors that pop-up as veterans. Many SURVIVED a friggin’ war before heading to Hollywood.
I do not expect to see any modern day big screen “heroes” mentioned. “Heroes”....pfffft.
I have one coming soon.
Is this where we say ‘Thud’?
LOL.......yup.
Nice uniform :)
He would have looked good in anything (or nothing). Oops!
No Boom?
OK.....BOOM.
Oooooo....you bad.
Another Great American!
Shot most of the footage himself.
In a B-17 over Germany. Several missions. In 1943.
He certainly has a sparkle that indicates a devil may care attitude!
No matter what part he is playing, he is still Clark Gable.
I’m putting myself in time out now :)
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