This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed human. Liberty has never been just a word to we Americans. It has guided every one of our endeavors for the past 250 years, and now it takes form in a new way. The 2026 Semi-Quincentennial Coin and Metal Program from the United States Mint.
It celebrates the founding ideals that have long shaped our coinage. Available one year only, this historic collection features new coin designs, limited edition releases, and reissues. Shop new official coins at usmint.gov forward slash semi-q. That's usmint.gov/slash S-E-M-I-Q. This July 4th, come celebrate at America's Block Party, hosted by America 250.
America's Block Party is a can't-miss 4th of July concert happening at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Experience music performances from major artists, patriotic tributes, and the kickoff to Giving Forth, helping to make July 4th the largest day of giving in American history. It's more than just fireworks. Learn more about this landmark celebration at America250.org. I turned off news altogether.
I hate to say it, but I don't trust much of anything. It's the rage bait. It feels like it's trying to divide people. If we got clear facts, maybe we could calm down a little. NBC News brings you clear reporting.
Let's meet at the facts. Let's move forward from there. NBC News reporting for America. What's up y'all? Summer's got a different temper.
Everything's a little looser, brighter. One plan turns into another. You hear something, you stay a little longer.
Next thing you know, you're somewhere you didn't plan to be. It's those in between moments. That's where the ideas hit. conversations stretch out, little memories sneak up on you.
Sometimes it's just about what's in your hand. that color. That chill. a new tropical butterfly refresher from Starbucks. guava and passion fruit flavors with mango pineapple flavored pearls.
Yeah. That feels like summer before you even taste it. Funny how one small stop becomes the best part of the day. Start your summer rhythm. with Starbucks.
Try the new Tropical Butterfly Refresher from Starbucks. This is Lee Habib, and this is Our American Stories. And we tell stories about everything here on this show. And this next story combines military history and cultural history. and tells the story of an actor we all know, Jimmy Stewart.
In 1946, by the way, he starred in It's a Wonderful Life. But only a year before and years before, he was serving in World War II and in a dangerous job, a pilot. running missions over Europe. bombing the heck out of the place. Here to tell the story of how Jimmy Stewart got there, about his life?
is historian and regular contributor here at Our American Stories. Roger McGrath himself. A four-marine. Here's McGrath. Jimmy Stewart was one of the most beloved actors in the history of Hollywood.
Early in his career, You have the look of the boy next door, guileless and innocent, honest and sincere. He matured into an everyman character. A regular guy dealing with daily life and the love and heartbreak of romantic relationships. Ultimately, he was the heroic figure. often standing alone against great odds and demonstrating courage and wisdom.
Where they're portraying a young man a struggling husband. or the Western hero. Jimmy Stewart always seemed like simply one of us. the quintessential American guy. In real life, That's exactly what he was.
James Stewart is born in May 198. in Indiana. Not the state. but a small town of six thousand people in western Pennsylvania.
some sixty miles east of Pittsburgh. The town of Indiana is surrounded by farms and coal mines. Stewart's father is a Spanish-American War veteran who runs a family hardware store established by his Civil War veteran father. Stewart's mother is a talented pianist who fills the Stewart household with music. Jimmy learns to play an accordion, which a customer leaves at the hardware store in payment for a bill.
Both sides of the family had a long record of military service. Since immigrating to the American colonies from Scotland and Ireland. Stewart becomes fascinated with aviation at a young age and loves building model airplanes instead of doing homework. His father decides he must buckle down. and get into Mercersburg Academy.
a prep school in south central Pennsylvania. Mercensberg is dedicated to preparing young men for college. especially the Ivy League schools. Stewart studies hard at Mercersburg. but also competes as a high jumper on the track team.
is a member of several school clubs. and appears in school plays. It thrives at the school. despite coming down with scarlet fever and suffering a kidney infection. making the tall, skinny teenager even skinnier.
and causing a delay in his graduation. When Charles Lindbergh Makes his solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean in late May 1927. Jimmy Stewart is home from school. In listening to reports of the flight, I on the radio. Stewart tracks Lindbergh's progress on a map.
Over the Atlantic. over Ireland and Britain, and right into Lindbergh's landing in Paris. Charles Lindbergh is Stewart's hero. Stewart wants to become a pilot upon graduation from Mercersburg. But his father insists on college.
Stewart is accepted for admission to Princeton. and begins classes at the prestigious Ivy League School in the fall of nineteen twenty eight. Stewart switches majors several times. before settling on architecture.
However, he's most passionate about appearing in school plays. He acts, he sings, he sings. He plays the accordion. Led by Josh Logan. who is destined to become a Hollywood screenwriter and director.
The Princeton boys take their plays on the road during the summer. Although of very different temperaments and personalities, Logan and Stewart become fast friends. After graduation from Princeton, Stewart devotes himself to the stage. appearing in ever bigger roles and usually receiving critical acclaim. He shares an apartment in New York City with another young actor, Henry Fonda.
Despite contrasting personalities, and different political views. Stewart, a staunch Republican, and Fonda, a devoted Democrat. They become lifelong friends. Hollywood talent scout Bill Grady. Her first C.
Stewart acted With the Princeton troop, gets MGM to sign Stewart to a contract in 1935. Stewart appears in his first Hollywood movie that year. Murderman starring Spencer Tracy. In 1936, Stewart is in nine movies, including as the male lead opposite Margaret Sullivan in Next Time We Love. Sullivan is at the peak of her career.
and she had insisted that Stewart be her male lead. They have known each other for years, going back to her brief marriage to Henry Fonda. Sullivan recognizes Stewart's natural charm and quaint mannerisms. and helps them use those characteristics effectively on the screen. Audiences love the Jimmy Stewart persona.
Stewart's last film in 1936. After the thin man. has him in an uncharacteristic role. He plays a murderer. The husband and wife team of William Powell and Myrna Loy track him down.
The role demonstrates Stewart can play more than lovable homespun types. Stewart appears in only three movies in 1937. But Willem is a block office in critical Smash Success, Navy Blue and Gold. Stewart is in the role of a football player at the Naval Academy. He has arrived at Annapolis through the enlisted ranks.
He's an everyman, striving to improve himself and rise in life. Playing off the football theme, the New York Times declares Stewart's performance makes him a triple threat man in the MGM backfield. And you're listening to historian Roger McGrath. The life of Jimmy Stewart continues here on Our American Story. Folks, if you love the stories we tell about this great country and especially the stories of America's rich past, know that all of our stories about American history, from war to politics to innovation, culture, and faith, are brought to us by the great folks at Hillsdale College, a place where students study all the things that are beautiful in life and all the things that are good in life.
And if you can't get to Hillsdale, Hillsdale will come to you with their free and terrific online courses. Go to hillsdale.edu to learn more. Liberty has never been just a word to we Americans. It has guided every one of our endeavors for the past 250 years. And now it takes form in a new way.
The 2026 Semi-Quincentennial Coin and Metal Program from the United States Mint. It celebrates the founding ideals that have long shaped our coinage. Available one year only, this historic collection features new coin designs, limited edition releases, and reissues. Shop new official coins at usmint.gov forward slash semi-q. That's usmint.gov/slash S-E-M-I-Q.
This July 4th, come celebrate at America's Block Party, hosted by America 250. America's Block Party is a can't-miss 4th of July concert happening at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Experience music performances from major artists, patriotic tributes, and the kickoff to Giving Forth, helping to make July 4th the largest day of giving in American history. It's more than just fireworks. Learn more about this landmark celebration at America250.org.
Flowers fade, cards get tossed, but a personalized song? That lasts forever. Surprise someone you love with a custom song made just for them with Joybox. Visit joybox.studio to get started on your personalized song today. Don't just say I love you, sing it with Joybox.
I turned off news altogether. I hate to say it, but I don't trust much of anything. It's the rage bait. It feels like it's trying to divide people. We got clear facts, maybe we could calm down a little.
NBC News brings you clear reporting. Let's meet at the facts. Let's move forward from there. NBC News reporting for America. This is Our American Stories and we continue with the story of Jimmy Stewart.
The year is 1937. After graduating from Princeton, Stewart devotes himself to acting where he becomes soon a triple threat man in the MGM backfield. Here's McGrath with more of Jimmy Stewart's story. The Triple Threat Man appears in ten movies in 1938 and 39, mostly as the male lead. and movie after movie.
He delivers performances that receive critical acclaim. He's called One of the most knowing and engaging young actors appearing on the screen. and one of the finest actors of the screen's young roster. Stuart plays in the OE, and Frank Kepper's, You Can't Take It With You. which wins the Academy Award for Best Picture of nineteen thirty eight.
He receives his first nomination. For Best Actor, with his performance in another CAPR-directed film. mister Smith goes to Washington. Stewart follows that with another smash success. Destri rides again.
By 1940, Jimmy Stewart is well established as one of Hollywood's major stars. He appears in four movies that year, including two Hollywood classics. The shop around the corner? in the Philadelphia story. For his performance in the latter, he receives the Academy Award for Best Actor.
Stewart's at the top of Hollywood now. Fame, money, women, and the best roles are his. He makes two more movies that are released early in 1941. And then walks away from Hollywood and into an Army recruiting office. He has a pilot's license and a degree from Princeton University.
and tells a recruiter he wants to join the Army Air Corps.
However, Stewart fails his physical. He seems to be in great shape. What can be wrong? Standing six foot three and weighing only one thirty eight. He's underweight.
The 33-year-old movie star goes into hard training. For him, it means eating high chloric foods and drinking vanilla malts. In March 1941, shortly after receiving his Oscar for Best Actor, Stewart reports for his second physical. I was ready to take him in a studio car, says Bill Grady.
now a casting director. But he refused to let me take him in the limousine. He went by bus instead. I tailed after him. I waited, and when a medical officer came out, I asked him if Jimmy had made it.
The officer told me he had made it by one ounce. What the officer did know was that Jim was so determined to make the wait that he hadn't been to the bathroom for thirty six hours. It had been twice. Torture. But it had put him over.
Stewart soon emerges, gleefully shouting to Grady, I'm in! I'm in! By the end of March, the Oscar-winning movie star is Private James Stewart. and is sent for a week of processing to Fort MacArthur in San Pedro. Already a civilian pilot, he is shipped to Moffat Field at the southern end of San Francisco Bay for training with the Army Air Corps.
excels in basic training. and is made a squad leader. After a month, he learns that when he finishes basic training, he will be assigned to a film unit at Wright Field in Ohio. Stewart also learns that Louis Maire MGM Mogul. had pulled strings in Washington to have Stewart assigned to a motion picture unit.
Mayer wants his star safe and sound. Stuart is outraged. and meets with the commanding officer, Colonel E. B. Lyon.
Stewart hands his pilot's license and his log book to the Colonel. and tells him he wants to fly. and fly in combat if it comes to that. Colonel Lyon says he will intercede in Stewart's behalf.
However, Mayan tells Stewart the problem is not only overcoming Louis Mayer's influence in Washington. But Stuart's age Stewart is turning 33. which is normally too old for an air cadet. Lion's strong appeal. wins the day and Stewart is soon in pilot training.
Stewart excels in all phases of flight training and passes his final checkright by the middle of November, 1941. The movie star is now a certified Army Air Corps pilot. In December, he's commissioned a second lieutenant. It's also in December. but the Japanese launched their sneak attack on Pearl Harbor.
The United States is now in the war. and Stuart. is ready to do his duty. Wearing his Army Air Corps uniform. Stewart serves as a presenter at the Academy Awards in February 1942.
and hands the Oscar for Best Actor to Gary Cooper. for his role in Sergeant York. During the spring of 1942, Stewart has to resist several attempts to make him a public affairs officer. Many in the Air Corps feel he would be of greater value making public appearances than flying in combat. After repeated requests, He is assigned a bomber training.
qualifying as a B seventeen Flying Fortress pilot by February nineteen forty three. Against his wishes, he is kept stateside as a flight instructor. flying both the B-17 and the B-24 Liberator. until november nineteen forty three, when, as Captain James Stewart, He ships overseas as the CO of a squadron of Liberators in the 445th Bomb Group. They are based at Tippin' him.
a hundred miles north east of London. Navigator Steve Kirkpatrick describes Stewart as Damn good commanding officer. I always had a feeling he would never ask you to do something he wouldn't do himself. Stewart's first mission comes on December 13th. nineteen forty three.
He's part of a flight of several hundred P-24s that bombs submarine pens at the German port of Kiel. Stewart's B-24 suffers more than a dozen hits from flack. but no one is wounded, and the plane, though full of holes. flies well enough to drop her bombs and turn for home. Stewart's second mission.
is on December 20th. The target for the day is the German industrial city of Bremen. Stewart's squadron is to hit an oil refinery and a shipbuilding facility. This time, on the way to the target, Stewart's plane is not only flying through flak, but is also attacked by German fighters. the ME109 and the ME110.
It looks dire. until American P forty seven Thunderbolts chase off the Mezer Schmitz. but not before one made a pass so close that Stewart says he can count the rivets in her belly. The squadron's missions continue. and the losses begin stacking up.
B-24s are shot down by German fighters. knocked out of the sky by flack. Dutch and English channel when limping home. crash into each other. and explode when fumes from leaking gas tanks ignite.
Leaking gas in the B-24s is such a problem that bomb bay doors are frequently opened to allow fumes to escape. On Stewart's tenth mission, Late in February, 1944, he narrowly escapes death. The target for the day is a Measuresmith factory. deep inside Germany near Nuremberg. Anti-aircraft fire is especially concentrated in accurate.
Stewart's Liberator is taking hits. rocking, rolling, and shaking. when a tremendous explosion lifts the plane and fills the cockpit with smoke. A blast of icy air hits Stewart. He looks down and sees a jagged hole that a basketball could pass through.
inches from his left foot. He has a perfect view. of the German landscape. 20,000 feet below. Suddenly, the enemy aircraft fire stops.
and German fighters the Focke-Wulf 190 appear. A B-24 on Stewart's right is riddled with bullets and has a wing blown off. It flips over. and nose down. plummets toward the ground.
Only one parachute is seen. Then on Stewart's left, a second B-24 is hit, and it too begins a death dive to the Earth. The fighters disappear. and the anti-aircraft fire. Returns.
And you're listening to Roger McGrath. When we come back, more of the remarkable story of Jimmy Stewart. Here on Our American Stories. Liberty has never been just a word to we Americans. It has guided every one of our endeavors for the past 250 years, and now it takes form in a new way.
The 2026 Semi-Quincentennial Coin and Metal Program from the United States Mint. It celebrates the founding ideals that have long shaped our coinage. Available one year only, this historic collection features new coin designs, limited edition releases, and reissues. Shop new official coins at usmint.gov forward slash semi-q. That's usmint.gov/slash S-E-M-I-Q.
This July 4th, come celebrate at America's Block Party, hosted by America 250. America's Block Party is a can't-miss 4th of July concert happening at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Experience music performances from major artists, patriotic tributes, and the kickoff to Giving Forth, helping to make July 4th the largest day of giving in American history. It's more than just fireworks. Learn more about this landmark celebration at America250.org.
Flowers fade, cards get tossed, but a personalized song? That lasts forever. Surprise someone you love with a custom song made just for them with Joybox. Visit joybox.studio to get started on your personalized song today. Don't just say I love you, sing it with Joybox.
I turned off news altogether. I hate to say it, but I don't trust much of anything. It's the rage bait. It feels like it's trying to divide people. If we got clear facts, maybe we could calm down a little.
NBC News brings you clear reporting. Let's meet at the facts. Let's move forward from there. NBC News Reporting for America. And we continue with our American stories.
When we last left off, we were in the middle of Jimmy Stewart's tenth mission in February of 1944. Stewart is witnessing his unit of B-24 Liberators getting picked off in the sky by Nazi fighters. Here again. is Roger McGrath. A Liberator flown by Mac Williams, one of Stewart's oldest, most reliable pilots, takes a direct hit near the cockpit.
Stewart thinks Williams must be dead. and expects to see the plane nose over and plummet downward. To Stewart's astonishment, after rocking and shaking, The B twenty four returns to straight and level flight. Williams or his co pilot must be alive. Despite all the damage Stewart's plane has suffered, the engines continue to hum, and Stewart feels blessed relief.
When he finally reaches the English Channel, Landing at Tippinh will not be easy though. the plane's hydraulic system has been shot away. As Stewart approaches the field, the landing gear has to be hand cranked down. in control surfaces and brakes. muscled by cables without any hydraulic assist.
Stewart takes Tibbenham's longest runway and needs every inch of it. before the Liberator screeches to a halt. John Robinson, A crewman in Stewart's squadron describes what the plane looks like. The tail of the ship was sticking up in the air. and the nose was sticking up in front.
Just in front of the wing, at the flight deck, the airplane had cracked open like an egg. The runway had aluminum scars where the plane had been dragged. Jimmy Stewart stood by the end of the airplane's left wing tip. As I walked up to him, He looked up at me and said, Sergeant?
somebody sure could get hurt in one of those damn things. As Squadron CO, Stewart also has to write letters to parents and wives of those in his command who die. or are missing in action. It takes a great toll on Stewart. Although he has tried not to, these Armenians grown close to.
There is hope for some of the missing. When an airplane is shot down, everyone in the formation looks to see if men bail out and chute's open. Unlike the Japanese in the Pacific theater of the war, German fighter pilots allow their enemy airmen in parachutes to float to the earth. Those floating down even report German pilots flying by and saluting them. This gives Stuart some measure of comfort.
During March 1944, Jimmy Stewart, now Major Stewart, begins flying in a specially equipped B-24 Liberator called a Pathfinder. A Pathfinder is equipped with radar and all the latest electronics, and theoretically can conduct precision bombing even when the target is obscured by clouds. Late in March, flying a Pathfinder, Stewart leads 200 bombers to an aircraft manufacturing plant north of Berlin.
However, the undercast is pea soup thick. And the Bombardier tells Stewart, even with the plane's special equipment, hitting the plant will be unlikely. Rather than waste the bombs of 200 liberators, Stewart orders the flight to follow him to the day's secondary target. Berlin. This will be the first time any of Stewart's boys get to hit Big B, as they call Berlin.
Despite heavy flack, they drop six thousand incendiaries and six hundred bombs on the German capital. During April, Stewart is made operations officer of the 453rd Bomb Group. which is stationed at Old Buckingham. only six miles from the four forty fifth. At Tibanum.
Now he has responsibility for organizing and briefing four squadrons for their missions. Although he continues to fly, he now sweats out most missions at Old Buckingham Base. He may not be facing German fighters in flak. watching the flight crews take off and fearing some will not return, gnaws at him every waking moment. He says All my efforts, all my prayers, couldn't stand between them and their fates.
and I grieved over them. Mechanical and electrical problems and fuel leaks plagued the B-24 Liberator throughout the war. After repairs, it's always good to take a plane up for a check ride. Stewart takes one particularly troublesome B-24 up for a check right himself. with Captain Andy Lowe in the co pilot seat, with a clipboard it lists the systems to test.
Major Stewart Takes off from old Buckingham. and turns south towards Tippenham. As Stewart approaches his old base, Lowe says a wry smile comes upon the Major's face. Again and again, Stewart buzzes the tower at Tibenham. Men pour out of base buildings to watch the wild man.
who is soon identified. has Major James Stewart. 453rd is busy in May as preparations begin for the Normandy invasion. Stewart climbs into the cockpit and leads two missions himself. In June he's promoted to lieutenant colonel.
and in July he becomes the operational officer for the Second Combat Wing. is now coordinating the missions of several bomb groups. Nonetheless, he still flies missions himself. In December, he becomes Chief of Staff of the Second Combat Wing. In March, 1945, he's promoted to colonel and becomes commanding officer.
of the second combat wing. By then he has flown 20 combat missions. And twice been decorated with the Distinguished Flying Cross and four times with the Air Medal. He also receives the quadrature with palm from the French Air Force. By the end of August 1945, Colonel James Stewart is back in the United States.
Friends say he has aged 10 years and has developed a hard edge. He remains in the reserves and is promoted to Brigadier General in 1959. making him the highest ranking actor in American history. He flies as an observer in a B-52 during a bombing mission in Vietnam in 1966. Two years later, he retires.
after 27 years of service. Most Americans today know nothing about James Stewart. decorated World War two pilot. He is only Jimmy Stewart, movie star. and movie star, he continues to be after the war.
Starting with It's a wonderful life. in 1946. and later such classics as Winchester seventy three, rear window. Vertigo. the Spirit of Saint Louis.
and anatomy. of a murder. The American Film Institute names him the third greatest male star. of all time. Uh yeah.
Despite all this, Hollywood Fame. Acting acclaim. Stewart always said his greatest honor of his life was serving his country in World War II. Where? he said.
I met the most wonderful assortment of guys. you'd ever want to know during those four years in the service. I came to know what went on in their minds and hearts. I shared their hopes and fears and privations. As an enlisted man, And I've tried with all my might.
to lead and protect them.
Well I became An officer. And what a story, and a special thanks to Greg Hengler for all the great work he does bringing this story. To you, and a special thanks also to Roger McGrath, author of Gunfighters Highwaymen and Vigilantes: Violence on the Frontier, a U.S. Marine and former history professor at UCLA, and a regular here on our show. The Life of Jimmy Stewart.
His story and his greatest starring role ever. as a war hero here on our American story. Liberty has never been just a word to we Americans. It has guided every one of our endeavors for the past 250 years. And now it takes form in a new way.
The 2026 Semi-Quincentennial Coin and Metal Program from the United States Mint. It celebrates the founding ideals that have long shaped our coinage. Available one year only, this historic collection features new coin designs, limited edition releases, and reissues. Shop new official coins at usmint.gov forward slash semi-q. That's usmint.gov/slash S-E-M-I-Q.
This July 4th, come celebrate at America's Block Party, hosted by America 250. America's Block Party is a can't-miss 4th of July concert happening at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Experience music performances from major artists, patriotic tributes, and the kickoff to Giving Forth, helping to make July 4th the largest day of giving in American history. It's more than just fireworks. Learn more about this landmark celebration at America250.org.
Flowers fade. Cards get tossed. But a personalized song? That lasts forever. Surprise someone you love with a custom song made just for them with Joybox.
Visit joybox.studio to get started on your personalized song today. Don't just say I love you, sing it with Joybox. This is Bethany Frankl from Just Be with Bethany Frankl. Let me be blunt: most dog food is junk. It just is.
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