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 ...
I joined two years and a couple of months into the start of "The All Volunteer Force." We still had a few draftees that were real sad sacks. One of my supervisors was busted in the barracks for distributing pornography and drugs. I didn't have to report to him for long.
I forgot to mention that my oldest sister joined the WACs and both of my brothers in law served, one in Europe building airfields and the other on a ship that was involved is 2 or 3 big Naval battles in the South Pacfic...
That is the case with the most talented actors, I would think...they somehow be themselves in the role.
Grandson has died at 30.
https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/clark-gables-grandson-clark-gable-iii-dead-at-30-says-report
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