How Hollywood Icon Jimmy Stewart, a WWII Ace, Dealt With PTSD

Jimmy Stewart, who left Hollywood to become a pilot in World War II, rarely spoke of his military service but channeled it into his acting.

Actors can take all sorts of approaches to their roles. While some study and memorize facts to become a character, others use a deep-seated emotion within themselves to unlock the truth of a character. For Hollywood acting icon Jimmy Stewart that came from his time as a World War II veteran and experiencing the horrors of war.

According the book Mission: Jimmy Stewart and the Fight for Europe by Robert Matzen:

“Stewart was haunted by ‘a thousand black memories’ from his time as an Air Force commanding officer that he took with him back to Hollywood after the war.”

Stewart was able to use the pain of losing colleagues in the war in his films

“He acted it out during It’s a Wonderful Life, where character George Bailey unravels in front of his family – the emotional core of the film after a lifetime of setbacks, including being unable to go to war while his brother becomes a decorated hero.

Films like Shenandoah and Winchester 73 allowed Stewart to explore his dark side which was never there before he went to war.”

It is common for actors to use personal experience or even personal pain to channel into their acting. Few actors can channel the horrors of war.



Jimmy Stewart Leaves Hollywood For Military Career During World War II
Before the outbreak of World War 2, Jimmy Stewart was already an accomplished amateur pilot with over 400 flying hours. Like a lot of men, he volunteered gladly.

When asked why he would give up a Hollywood movie career he stated:

‘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 was the first major film star to enlist.

As a seasoned pilot, he became a bomber pilot and flew dozens of missions over Europe. He rose up the ranks quickly becoming a colonel.

While in the military Stewart refused to star in movies, apart from one recruitment fil titled “Winning your Wings” which lead to 150,000 men signing up to become airmen.



Jimmy Stewart went on to become a highly decorated soldier and airman before retiring as a general.

I don’t think we will see someone the likes of Stewart again. His selflessness brings to mind NFL star turned soldier Pat Tillman. Two men who had all the advantages and privileges in the world, but gave it all up to serve their country.

I wish some of the Hollywood prima donnas would stop lecturing and start serving our country. We would be a better place if we had more men and women in the service of our country.




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isn't it amazing how men's faces change from their 20s to 30s.    Stewart was a good looking young man...but he's a better looking more mature looking 30+ year old.    Lots of men might mature in their faces but not in their minds.   I think i  married one of those.  LOLOL Always a boy at heart.

Heck, I'm ready to enlist!

What I can't get over is how much more mature people were back then.

2cent wrote:Heck, I'm ready to enlist!

What I can't get over is how much more mature people were back then.  

Part of that has to do with mom/dad didn't GIVE them everything without doing something to EARN it.

oh horseshit. 75% of his missions were agin just one german city. him and his cronies blew the shit out of this once pretty little town. yep. over 18 times the entire squadron dumped everything they had on a german city of under 25,000 people.

BASF. they cooked those chemical plants and anything in that valley

Elizabeth Theus wrote:

2cent wrote:Heck, I'm ready to enlist!

What I can't get over is how much more mature people were back then.  

Part of that has to do with mom/dad didn't GIVE them everything without doing something to EARN it.

You mean like digging a ditch or swamping out a latrine?

How about figuring out certain victory? Does that count for anything?

I suppose that's for the generals.