FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: Hollywood Heroes Part 3 ~ June 24, 2013

Serving The Best Troops and Veterans In The World !! | StarCMC

[Kathy in Alaska]

 

Our Troops Rock!  Thank you for all you do!

For the freedom you enjoyed yesterday...
Thank the Veterans who served
in The United States Armed Forces.

Looking forward to tomorrow's freedom? Support The United States
Armed Forces Today!

---

~ Hall of Heroes ~

Hollywood Part 3
 

           

This Hollywood hero may not be news to you, but it's always good to honor them!  The Hollywood "heroes" of today don't hold a candle to this one.

Jimmy Stewart

James Stewart wanted his war heroics kept a secret following WWII, but the truth is that he was one of it's great heroes.

One of the first Hollywood celebrities to be drafted into the United States Army, Jimmy was initially rejected for failing to meet the minimum height/weight ratio requirements (he was ten pounds under weight). He could have avoided war service with his dignity preserved, but instead set about getting up to the 148 pounds required of him by going on a high fat diet. On his second attempt to enlist (in the Army Air Corps) he just scraped through.

Enlisted as a private he began pilot training in the USAAC. It was during this time that the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, bringing the US into the war. Continuing his training, he earned a commission as a second lieutenant in January of 1942.

Already a skilled pilot before the war, Jimmy was posted as an instructor pilot at various air bases within the US and used in a propaganda film to encourage Air Force recruitment and keep public morale high. The military, fearful of losing a major celebrity in action, wanted to keep him safe and sound in the United States, but this was not enough for Stewart. He wanted to serve in Europe.

Frustrated and concerned that he would be kept 'behind the lines' for the rest of the war, he appealed to his commander, who cooperated with his wishes, and in August of 1943 reassigned him to a unit which was shortly to be sent into action overseas. The unit was the 445th Bombardment Group. Arriving at their base in Norfolk England in December of 1943, the 445th immediately began combat operations flying missions over Germany. It was during this stage of his service that Stewart, as a result of bravery and intelligence in battle, was promoted to the rank of Major. In March of 1944 he was transferred as group operations officer to the 453rd Bombardment Group, and during this time he flew as command pilot in the groups lead B-24 plane on several missions deep into Nazi-occupied Europe.

In July of 1944, after flying 20 highly dangerous combat missions (note that this was the officially recorded number - he often instructed his personnel not to record his missions), having survived a major air battle with the Luftwaffe and a near fatal crash landing, James Stewart was made Chief of Staff of the 2nd Combat Bombardment Wing of the Eighth Air Force, thus finally, to the Armies relief, removing him from direct combat.

By the end of the war he had achieved the rank of Colonel, had received the Distinguished Flying Cross for actions in combat TWICE, had been awarded the Croix de Guerre by the French Air Force, and also received the Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters.

Remaining an active member of the US Air Force Reserve after the war, he retired in May of 1968 with the rank of Brigadier General.

Please remember the Canteen is here to honor, support and entertain our troops and their families.  This is a politics-free zone!  Thanks for helping us in our mission! 

[mylife]

Johnny "Guitar" Watson "Aint That Bitch?"

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Sand...((HUGS))...did you get some rest today?

Ready for a 1 year old tomorrow?

[mylife]

Ta Ta Baby..

Ta Ta..

[Kathy in Alaska]

Douglas Fairbanks, Jr....another Hollywood hero.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Oh my goodness, Liberty...that’s an oldie. Cool. Thanks.

Have a great week.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good job, Daniel, good job!

Pretty lilies....and now they can breathe.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good job, John-Man, good job!

[Kathy in Alaska]

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good morning/afternoon/evening/night Troops, wherever you are.

Thank you for doing your part to help keep all of us free and safe.

Thanks, unique, for the pastries.

Coffee is always on........

How about a donut?

Cookies?

Veggies?

Sandwich?

[Kathy in Alaska]

God bless and keep safe our troops worldwide.

Good night.

Statler Brothers ~ How Great Thou Art

[E.G.C.]

A very pleasant good morning to everyone at the Canteen and to all our military at home and abroad. Thanks for your service to our country.

((HUGS))Good morning, Ladies. Thanks for this morning's thread, Star. How's it going?

[E.G.C.]

Sunday Music Bump.

[E.G.C.]

BTTT

[Arrowhead1952]

Good morning to everyone at the Canteen. 74º on the home thermometer and headed for the upper 90s again.

[beachn4fun]

Good morning, Canteen.

Good morning to our

Military, our Allies, and their families.

Thank you, Star, for preparing the Canteen for today’s activities.

DC Metroland weather report

~ Today... Some sunshine with a thunderstorm
or two possible this afternoon.
High around 90F. Winds light and variable.
Chance of rain 30%

~ Tonight... Isolated thunderstorms this evening,
then skies turning partly cloudy after midnight.
Low near 70F. Winds light and variable.
Chance of rain 30%.

We had a surprise rain storm move in early Sunday morning.
Good thing it started lightly
just about the time I got up,
because I had windows open overnight.

And summer comes in with (hot)guns blazing.

Running behind schedule...what else is new for a Monday, right?

Gotta make my rounds.
Please stay right where you are.
Chat up the military or a family member.
No need to fret...you know I'll be back!

The FR Canteen is

Come in and sit for a while.
There's always plenty of coffee, tea,
pancakes, conversation, silliness,
and plain old BS

REMEMBER THEM ~ DEFENDERS OF FREEDOM

BERG, BRUCE ALLAN
8/7/1971
KIA
South Vietnam

FR CANTEEN MISSION STATEMENT

Showing support and boosting the morale of our military and our allied military and the family members of the above. Honoring those who have served before.

[luvie]

Saaaaay! What dirty bird let Monday happen!
The weekend wasn't long enough!
Anyway...hope you Early Birds have a good one!
...and don't work TOO hard! :)
It's hot here...how is it there?
((((hugs))))

[PROCON]

Morning Beachie!!

Yup, we got us a Super Walmart, lotsa stuff to buy :-)

Trying to decide what to do over the 4th of July holiday, you got any big plans?

Lots of stuff to do in the schools, better grab some coffee and hit it..

Hope you have a grandocious day!

[SandRat]

Good morning, Kathy...((HUGS))...I did you get some rest.

To be 1 year old Free for 3 weeks while she and Her Mom go to OR to vist Her Aunt (Desert Coyote).

[E.G.C.]

Good morning, Beach and LUV W.((HUGS)) I just got finished doing the grass cutting work with the lawnmower and the weed-eater. Wanted to get it done before it got too hot this afternoon.

How's it going for you this morning, Ladies?

[mountainlion]

The book had many accounts of more heroes.