Learning Center Our Enshrinees

James “Jimmy” Maitland Stewart

• Won the Academy Award as Best Actor of the Year in 1940 for his role in “The Philadelphia Story.”
• Had over 400 flight hours as a civilian pilot when he enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1941 and became an instructor for both the B-17 and B-24.
• Was sent to England as Operations Officer for the 703rd Squadron, 445th Bombardment Group of the Eighth Air Force in 1943, then transferred to the 453rd Bombardment Group in 1944.
• Flew 20 dangerous combat missions as a B-24 command pilot, wing commander or squadron commander during World War II.
• Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with a personal citation from General Jimmy Doolittle (enshrined 1967).
• Made four movies promoting aviation including The Spirit of St. Louis, an account of the historic Charles Lindbergh (enshrined 1967)  flight from New York to Paris.
• Continued his service in the Air Force Reserve after World War II and was promoted to Brigadier General in 1959.
• Earned the Distinguished Flying Cross with two Oak Leaf Clusters, The Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, and the French Croix de Guerre with Palm.