The Duke wasn't in the Army Air Corps--but he did fly with the Marines and the Flying Tigers
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The Duke wasn't in the Army Air Corps--but he did fly with the Marines and the Flying Tigers
The Professor - Russell Johnson
After high school, in the midst of World War II, Johnson joined the United States Army Air Forces as an aviation cadet. He flew 44 combat missions as a bombardier in B-25 Mitchell bombers. His plane was shot down in the Philippines in March 1945, during a bombing run against Japanese targets. The plane had to crash land at the port of Zamboanga. In this mission, he broke both his ankles and earned his Purple Heart. He was also awarded the Air Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with three service stars, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one service star, and the World War II Victory Medal. He was honorably discharged with the rank of first Lieutenant on November 22, 1945. He then joined the Army Reserves and used the GI Bill to fund his acting studies.
Here"s one!Jackie Cooghan,childhood star and played Uncle Fester on the Adams Family. His flight jacket is in the Air Force museum in Dayton along with many other Hollywood stars of the era.It's been a long time since I visited there,but if I recall correctly,he was a glider pilot on D-Day.Well worth the visit though.Really need to get back since they added on and updated!
From Wikipedia:
Coogan enlisted in the US Army in March 1941. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, he requested a transfer to US Army Air Forces as a glider pilot because of his civilian flying experience. After graduating from glider school, he was made a Flight Officer and he volunteered for hazardous duty with the 1st Air Commando Group. In December 1943, the unit was sent to India. He flew British troops, the Chindits, under General Orde Wingate on 5 March 1944, landing them at night in a small jungle clearing 100 miles behind Japanese lines in the Burma campaign.
Bob
Bob,I'm taxing my memory, but if I recall correctly from the display at the AF Museum he also took part in D-Day.There was so much to take in,I may be wrong! A hero none the less.Who'd a thunk!!
Don't forget Charles Durnning Captured in the Battle if the Bulge,escaped back to our lines after surviving the Malmendy massacre. and later testified at the trial.
The one and only Mel Brooks,here's a good read on one of the best comedic minds in the business.
Mel Brooks
RayP.
heres another one for ya. Gene Autry, the singing cowboy. Joined the Army Air corps and flew supply planes over the hump.Then there is Henery Fonda, Lee Marvin, Captain Kangaroo, Mr Rodgers all marines, Eddie Albert, James Arness, David Niven, Alex Guiness, And Jack Elam.
When Gene Autry joined he was put in Special Services (?) to sing, It took intervention by the Gov. of Texas and Sen. LBJ for him to be sent to flight duty. He stated that he got to fly many types of planes in the AAF. but nothing toped a C119 converted to a tanker for a lifetime of thrills.
Bob
Wayne Morris - Actor and Navy Ace
Got to have a photo of him,he made 48 movies.
http://www.b-westerns.com/wmorris.htm
RayP.