re: something cool about Rosco from the Dukes of Hazzard

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flew b17

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Tom Landry also

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Ted Williams

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Gave up the opportunity to be the GOAT to serve his country. Twice.

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Cpt. Kangaroo

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Enlisted in the Marine Corps around his 18th b'day in 1945, but was still stateside when Japan surrendered.

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Mr. Rogers

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...was even younger, having just turned 17 about 6 weeks prior to the fall of Berlin. No record of any military service.

And, Jimmy Doohan (Mr. Scott or "Scotty" on Star Trek) lost a finger at Normandy, as a member of the Canadian army. Most of your true heroes that ended up in Hollywood were just kids during the war.

However, Jimmy Stewart was already a huge Hollywood star when he joined up. He used his extensive experience in civilian aviation to become a command pilot of 4-engine bombers, primarily B-24s, during the war. It is widely accepted that he flew lots of missions as an "observer" (third pilot, and probably pilot in command for most of them) - off the books, so that he would not alarm his superiors or get rotated home for having too many missions.

A true American hero for whom patriotism wasn't something fashionable, like a jacket to wear, but something he lived at one of our most critical times in history.

He helped establish a private training center that was ultimately incorporated by the US Army Air Corps in Glendale, AZ. He was drafted, but initially denied induction because he was 6'3" (or so) and only 138 pounds. He worked with a Hollywood trainer to gain the weight necessary for induction.

He fought against being placed on a War Bonds tour, and ultimately was deployed to Europe. He is officially credited with 20 missions and 2 Distinguished Flying Crosses.

After the war, he remained active in the embryonic USAF(R). He was a non-duty oberver on a B-52 mission during the Vietnam War. He refused to allow any publicity to be released in connection with his participation. He retired a BG in the USAF(R) and was promoted to MG on the retired list by President Ronald Wilson Reagan.

Because of his height did he have problems in the 24?

somebody went through DVing all the posts in this thread -- including mine on Heisman winner Nile Kinnick dying for his country

It's pathetic, but also kinda in a bizarre way... Was it a neo-nazi sore loser, or a pathological pacifist?

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Because of his height did he have problems in the 24?

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I've never seen reports that his height was a problem. Getting in and out were probably the biggest challenges, but as he wasn't very wide (obviously), I suspect there were few issues.

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quite a few celebs from the "greatest generation" James Arness, James Garner, Capt. Kangaroo, Lee Marvin, Ed Mcmahon, Clark Gable, Don Adams, and Ted Williams are just a few that come to mind

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Sterling Hayden's OSS file

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it's tight quarters

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Height is a harder cap for fast movers. Their cockpits are uncompromising and full of avionics and other gear. Very few of those over 6'. But, where there is some wiggle room, even big men can fly. "Bull" Briley (KIA at Mogadishu) - was famously a big helicopter pilot.

In my sig picture, David Strother, was a big man, 6'3 or better and well over 200 pounds - a former collegiate wide receiver - his size did not present significant problems in flying helicopters.

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Garner was Korea

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And it was rough, I tell ya.

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somebody went through DVing all the posts in this thread

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Ever since the mobile version was updated to show the votes, I noticed that almost all of mine have one DV. I get concerned when I don't see one, thinking I actually said something agreeable to the person.

This thread is awesome, btw.