Jimmy Stewart’s Military Career: How the ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ Star Became a War Hero
The beloved actor earned two Distinguished Flying Crosses and retired as a brigadier general
Most people know Jimmy Stewart as the beloved actor best recognized for films like The Philadelphia Story (1940) and It’s a Wonderful Life (1946). What many of them don’t realize is that between those two films and even after, the Oscar winner actually enrolled in the military and flew several combat missions during World War II and Vietnam, something that would eventually earn him his own day in Pennsylvania. Below, we look into what exactly happened during Stewart’s time in the military, including how it’s going to impact the plot of the highly anticipated 2026 biopic Jimmy.
A look at Jimmy Stewart’s time in the military
Even before joining the military, Stewart reportedly always loved flying. In fact, according to Military.com, he had logged 400 flight hours over eight years in show business, but none of that mattered when it came time to enlist in WWII, since the Army believed he was underweight.
More determined than ever, though, Stewart appealed to some of his Hollywood friends to help him enlist and eventually he joined the United States Army in 1941. Once enrolled, he fought hard to become a pilot and eventually got accepted to the Air Corps commission in 1942, where he was eventually promoted to 2nd lieutenant in 1942.
Following that, he spent a year training other pilots in New Mexico before eventually getting sent overseas to fight in WWII. During his time there, he flew 20 missions and even won two Distinguished Flying Crosses, four Air Medals, a Presidential Unit Citation and the French Croix de Guerre.
“This country’s conscience is bigger than all the studios in Hollywood put together, and the time will come when we’ll have to fight,” Stewart said, per Military.com.
Once WWII was over, Stewart returned to acting, but he also remained in the Army and even flew as an observer on a bombing mission during the Vietnam War.
Stewart did eventually retire from the Air Force in 1968. His final rank was brigadier general and to this day, the actor is one of the most famous and decorated war veterans of all time.
A look at how Jimmy Stewart’s time in the military impacted his legacy
Following his death in 1997, Stewart was honored by several different organizations. This included the entire state of Pennsylvania—where the actor was born—who just recently made May 20 “Jimmy Stewart Day.”
“Jimmy Stewart, in addition to being a titan of the film industry, is also a World War II hero,” state representative Jim Struzzi said in a statement. “Like so many other Americans in the 1940s, Jimmy Stewart put his life and career on hold to serve our nation. Not only did Jimmy Stewart join the Army Air Corps, but he also requested to be stationed on the front lines in Europe.”
“Mr. Stewart’s impact on Indiana County is immeasurable,” Struzzi added. “His relatability and fame still attract tourists, holiday enthusiasts and film lovers alike, providing a depth of appeal to our region. He is a beloved figure who epitomized American values both on screen and off.”
Along with the day in Pennsylvania, Stewart’s time in the military also serves as the main focus for the 2026 biopic Jimmy, starring KJ Apa.
“Jimmy Stewart was an American hero,” Apa said in a statement to Variety. “He was among a certain breed of men who understood the true meaning of sacrifice by fighting for our freedom. He was also among the greatest actors of all time, starring in over 80 movies and winning one Academy Award for best actor. His story is one of strength and purpose, love and honor, fame and war. His story is one that begs us to think of the greater good and to be willing to fight for it.”
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