This is the story of American hero and B-17 Flying Fortress gunner, Clark Gable. This is the story of his combat tour and what made him the most priceless service member in the 8th Air Force over Europe! This was made using the World War II flight simulator War Thunder. Hope you enjoy! Please like, comment, and subscribe. #WW2 #WWIIHistory #WarThunder
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Awesome vid! Make more! 👍
Really amazing vídeo!!! Thxx
You always find such curious stories.
cheers for that, allways like clark gable in the '70s when i was a child, never knew he flew sorties. thumbs up
The B17 strategy was flawed for one main reason- the MG 151 cannon that the German fighters used had about twice the range of the 50 cal machine gun defending the B17's.
charles bronson In 1945, was assigned to the 61st Bombardment Squadron, 39th Bombardment Group, based in Guam. As a gunner aboard a B-29 “Superfortress” bomber, he flew 25 missions in the Pacific Theater, including sorties over Japan, and received a Purple Heart for wounds he received in combat
That's cool! Didn't know that.
Wow I never knew that thanks 🇺🇸👍🏼🙂
I read about that on the imdb app while watching one of his movies a couple of years ago, fascinating info on him.
Wow, I never knew that either. Truly a badass on film AND in real life!
Mr Cattermole would have found it all a piece of cake.
Clark Gable's war service is very remarkable when you consider that he joined the Army at 41yo as a private. No one would have been drafted at 41yo. No one would have questioned or second guessed him if he did not even try to join up. He was making approximately $200.000 a year and gave that up to make just $600 per year as a private. When he was on those B-17's he was twice the average age of the rest of the crewmen and was older than some of their fathers. Being a gunner on a B-17 on hours long missions at 30,000ft Where it was 40 degrees below zero is super hard for anyone. Now imagine being a 40 year old heavy smoker and doing it. It is a wonder he did not have a heart attack up there. The fact that he did this over and over is remarkable.
I didn’t realize he was that old at the time, although I’d heard he was a member of a bomber crew before.
What most today do not have a clue as to who would serve, or not, let’s out of the bag, so to speak, are folks like JFK’s oldest brother, who disappeared while working upon a secret, experimental bomb that was nearing production, and that it required it to be tested, with a semi remote, operation where the pilot of the craft required the pilot to bail out, just moments before the detonation sequence began, … a very dangerous task, and one which claimed the life of the eldest brother of the potus, to his brother’s life, … these men, … were all very dedicated to the concept of ending the horrors of war, by knowing that the violence to stop the threats, … had to be, much greater than that poised at, & to their own lives, … and so they trained, and trained, and trained, until they became very good at the tasks which lay ahead in their lives, & careers, and there were very many of them, (too many, in fact), that even with all of the training, & equipment which they had, would not be coming back from the missions they were sent to complete, or not, the outcomes of those missions were dependent upon being able to succeed, in several compartments of interaction, the secrecy involved in said mission(s), the abilities of each person performing their training in the precise manners described, and the differing numbers of variables during the survivability of said missions, and the final factors of fate, luck, or whatever the enemy could, & would bring against you, … which had no real impact(s), until the missions were started, completed, or failed, … miserably, or not, … had no effects until proven by the success of each mission, … the factors of each mission, were solely dependent upon the facts that they be carried out in complete secrecy, until completed, … and that the dumb luck factor was in, & at the top of each participants mind😂, … one single misstep could be crucial in the make, or break, factor for each mission, … on both sides of the war, …
My how actors have changed, Gable deserves our admiration and respect.
Any able man between 21 to 45 years of age were required to register for the draft. Also many organizations usually of women would humiliate men in public especially during WW1 if they were not enlisted and fighting in the war. You can find real stories about some of these encounters. One of the worst which I read a while back was about a discharge soldier who had served already 3 tours and was severally injured being publicly shamed by a group of women. He "decided" to reenlist and died 1 month later. So the public pressures would have been on Clark to enlist. Filming and supporting the troups would have been the very least likely acceptable for most of the public. I do not wish to belittle this man's service. I would passionately and gratefully thank him if he were alive and I in his presence though your comment doesn't paint an accurate context of the social pressures at the time.
@@flaviusfake271 very few in their 40s were put in combat roles, or even actually drafted.
My father in law was a 35 YO mechanic and garage owner, who joined up the day after Pearl Harbor. He was assigned as head of an AF base motor pool. After a year, he wanted to serve in combat. As a waist gunner on a B-17, a piece of shrapnel penetrated the side of the plane, and severed his leg at the hip. It was his 17th combat mission. The formation was inbound over Germany, and it was over 8 hours before he received medical care. The extreme cold kept him from bleeding to death. A REAL man from the greatest generation.
They were a tough Generationen and l feel we are letting them down l know my mom is rolling in her grade since that numbskull became president
@@josephchase7967trump ? Yeah it’s insane how that dumbass turned us into a laughing stock We need Obama back 😩😩
@@josephchase7967 Yeah, trump really fucked us up
@@powrich12 how many wars did he get us into?
@@DickDebonaire how many wars did Biden get us into? Edited to add: I don't like Biden either, but he's a better option than the human shit-stain known as Trump.
Gable was in my father's unit (351st Bomber Group) where Dad was the lead bombardier and completed 38 harrowing missions in B17s. He told me many times that he was asked to shoot aerial footage after dropping their bombs on extremely treacherous missions, handing the cannisters of film to Gable and his team after landing. Of course, Dad was never given any credit for his contributions to shooting that footage, but he would just shrug his shoulders: "That's the way the world worked." They both started as 2nd Lieutenants, but Gable finished up as a major, but Dad was never promoted. And he was the oldest son of Chinese immigrants to America, yet he and the 20,000+ Americans of Chinese descent who served, sacrificed, and died during WWII are never portrayed by the media (including in Apple TV's "Masters of the Air."). I am extremely proud of my late father. He and the other Chinese American veterans were awarded a special Congressional Gold Medal two years ago. As his oldest son, I proudly accepted it on his behalf.
Jimmy Stewart flew many combat missions in B-24s and continued to fly in the Army Air Corp / US Air Force as a reservist after WWII finally retiring as a Brigadier General. He suffered from PTSD after the war and many of his emotional scenes in ‘Its a Wonderful Life’ (1946) were not just great acting, but raw emotion.
A true hero and great actor.
Plus Jimmy Stewart intentionally never made any movies about WW2 after serving in WW2. A son of his died in Vietnam (as I recall). Jimmy and Clark were both "heroes" along with all of their fellow veterans.
6 turning, 4 burning
OMG I would love to see a video about that guy. He did a wonderful movie back then called “Winning your Wings”.
He also had to wear a hair piece for that movie, because the stress of the war and the PTSD afterward caused his hairline to recede so much.
It was a different time. Many actors served and many served in combat. Closest I can think of today is Pat Tillman, the US Army Ranger KIA in Afghanistan. Again, times are different. When making Run Silent Run Deep Clark Gable got along fairly well with the actual Navy crew used on the movie. A salute to Maj Gable!
Tillman was an NFL star but the point still remains that he left a life of fame & wealth to serve.
Today's 'stars' are way too soft to fight. Most of these 'famous' people of today are more interested in destroying our country than fighting to defend their freedom.
Another “celebrity” to serve is Jason Everman, the guitarist for Nitvana and Soundgarden. He did tours in Afghanistan, and I think Iraq, as an Army Ranger, and eventually in the special forces as a Green Beret. Total bad ass.
@@OMG_No_Way That,s right, he did too. Is he still serving?
Maurice ‘Footsie’ Britt was my late Mother’s Second Cousin. Britt played in the NFL w/Detroit for one year (1941). Later in the war, he earned the Congressional Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, Bronze Star w/‘V’ Device, four Purple Hearts, English & Italian awards.
I always liked Gable but I am astounded to learn of his wartime service in this video and his time as a gunner. He wasn't just a hero and tough guy in the movies, he was a genuine one in real life. Fly high, Mr. Gable, and thank you for serving.
@@frankfkling3041. Don't compare any allied service member to those nazi scumbags 2. If you go from being an extremely famous actor to being an underpaid private in the military WILLINGLY to serve your country, you deserve respect
Unlike John Wayne who never served except in the movies!
@Frank F Kling Pleased to be corrected Frank, I was only aware that he did not serve in the forces per se
@Frank F Kling yeah, methamphetamine gives you all sorts of sociopathic "talents".
@@richardsymonds5159, Wayne tried multiple times to Join the Military; He was turned down due to an injury he suffered playing College Football. It was this same injury ( along with four children) that prevented him from being able to join the Military. But, with the backing of the Armed Forces he did everything he could to Support the Military both during the War and Afterwards!
I had absolutely no idea Clark Gable was such a guy. With all the wealth, fame and privilege bestowed on him he CHOSE to fight with the airmen flying bombers in Europe in WW2. That's courage and commitment to the max. Today, we find the media and most politicians using the word "hero" for some of the most un-noteworthy actions. This guy is/ was the real deal.
Jimmy Stewart volunteered to fight in Europe as well. He flew a B - 24. Probably for the 9th Air Force. Also known as the "Travelling Circus." And, "The Liberandos." And the British Actor, the late (sid) David Niven also served in the Second World War. The exception was Errol Flynn. Who did not want to serve. As well, by 1941, his pathologically self - destructive "lifestyle" of booze, drugs, and cigarettes, had impaired his health to such an degree that he was considered "unfit to serve." And he died in 1959.
Taking days away from his R&R to write letters to widows made me tear up a bit. And the fact that he, even after losing his wife recognized that he wasn't alone in his sadness and wasn't unique just because he was famous. What a man, an actual honest to God man. I hope that I could at least one day claim to be a 1/10 of a man he was.
Yes
There's a bit at the end of the British war film 'The Dambusters' where the scientist who helps develop the bomb that 617 Squadron used in the dams raid asks the squadron's leader, Guy Gibson, if he's going to get some rest. Gibson stops and thinks, and says, 'No, I've got some letters to write'. Things like that, and Gable's kindness, make the cost of war really sink in.
@@Hartley_Hare that scientist didn't " help develop" the bomb, Barnes Wallace, had the idea, and invented the "Upkeep" bouncing bomb. All on top of his work as a senior aircraft designer at Vickers. He invented the geodetic system for airframes used in his design, the Vickers Wellington . Then he went on to develop the Tall Boy 5 ton bomb to be dropped from a Lancaster then the 22,000 pound (10 ton) Grand Slam streamlined bomb, the largest thing to be dropped during WW2 all these things fruits of his brilliant mind. Wonderful man!
"I hope that I could at least one day claim to be a 1/10 of a man he was." I will wager you have already met that goal. Keep-a-goin.
I just had an idea.. what if, instead of "going to war", let's try to promote mutual understanding and respect, and leave the "war option" as a last ditch defensive option.. obviously, if One wants Peace, One must prepare for War :)
Many notable Hollywood actors served our country well in WW ll. Gable, Bronson Stewart, Durning, Marvin, Fonda, Newman, Borgnine, just to name a few. GOD bless them all.
Cant compare ww2 with Korea, Nam or the Middle East. The stakes were much greater.
Robert Mitchum was in the Marines in WW2
And there was Eddie Albert. (Battle of Tarawa)
@@johncmitchell4941 Eddie Albert's actions at the battle of Tarawa where he single handedly saved over 40 Marines from the water that were pinned down by machine gun fire. Had to be the most courageous action by an movie star in that war or any other war.
Also Tyrone Power, my Dad met him in the Pacific when he gave my Dad and several other Marines a lift on the plane he was flying.
A real class act, a man grieving from the loss of his beloved wife, placing himself in front line services and recording for posterity the men he served with in England. I salute you, sir for your bravery and wanting to be just "one of the boys" ❤
Incredible guy. He, Jimmy Stewart and David Niven really were of a different breed to actors of today.
add Donald Plesence too.
Frankly, this gunner didn't give a damn.....
Haha…brilliant sir!
GOD .............and when in flight he was ,Gone with the Wind !!!!!
And he flew with the wind!!!
Good one sir! I frowned at this at first, thinking it disrespectful. Then it dawned on me the famous Rhet Butler line in "Gone with the Wind" lol
I see what you did there...
I knew he was a gunner in WWII but I didn't know the full story. I have respect for that man.
So do I, as a veteran I heard of the many actors who served in action, but his story should be a movie!!
@@jimfridas3170 Clark Gable was a brave and proud American along with James Stewart , Lee Marvin and others who fought for their county! On the other hand, John Wayne , when drafted, refused to fight for his country. He said he would lose popularity and advancement of his acting carreer! He was a selfish coward ! Shame on him
I had no idea of his service. I just gained a lot of respect for the man. Thank you Clark
Rod Serling who hosted “The twilight zone” series was a paratrooper in the 11th Airborne Div. And also served in the e Philippines.
I never knew he participated in many unoffical missions. A true patriot and hero.
Yeah, I remember reading about it somewhere. If one of the Captains knew a gunner on his crew had had some bad news from home, or was close to cracking up with combat fatigue and really needed some rest, he would quietly ask if Gable wanted his position for that mission. Gable got his trigger time and the crewman got his rest. I wouldn't have wanted to be the Captain that had to fly back with a dead Clark Gable on board though! Different generation, wasn't it? Never mind the rules, do what's _right._
They drop bombs on civilians.
and the Germans killed millions more civilians, America and Brittan only did it to end the war. Germany did it to Start the war.@@redwater4778
I remember hearing from my Grandpa Al talk about Clark Cable's time in the Army Air Corps as they were both in the same B-17 Squadron in England. Grandpa Al said that "He didn't ask for any special treatment and was a regular guy given the star that he was".
A flak round going through the heel of his shoe? He is a hero without this embellishment. Kudos to Gable and all the brave like him. That spirit lives on, thank goodness for that.
The story you tell is true, and i may add my father who had a trick played on him and had his 15 seconds of fame regarding this story. My dad enlisted in the AAAF 1942, he was 20 and an athlete. He went to Washington State to recieve his physical training certificate and was quickly transfered after graduating to Miami Beach, to train new recruits. My dad said they did multiple groups thru out the day. On a particular day he started, with this one group off with jumping jacks, he looked down and saw this one guy with his arms folded doing nothing. My father yelled down from the wooden platform to this guy, does he have a problem doing jumping jacks?.The procrastonater, yelled back No, so my dad yelled back, so do 15 pushups and show us how its done, the recruit yells up to my father, why dont you show us how to do it properly. Now my dad is steaming, jumps down, gets i on the guys face..and realizes who it is, the guy puts out his hand and says Hi, Im Clark Gable,Hollywood California! My dad now humbled, says, hes George from Brooklyn. Clark says to my dad, lets show these boys, how to do proper pushups..they both got down and started doing pushups, at about 25 they looked at each other and started laughing, the guys had been counting and cheered when Clark got up. My dad said he asked him, how many could he have done, Clark said, "a-lot of them ". He told my dad when hes not doing movies or traveling, he did a-lot of boxing and boxing exercises to stay fit . My dad in 1944 went overseas,after the bulge push, but this was one of the few stories he loved talking about.
that's neat thanks for sharing .. it's sad there are millions of stories like this human intrest and history of men and the times they were in .. that are gone unrecorded - like this on if not for you putting it up .. gone with the sands of time ......
alot is not a word
@@lost70s Thank you for the reply..I tottaly agree, so much is lost now..and for my dad for whatever reason, in his mind,he didnt talk about the war and what he had seen, until late in life, maybe because I didnt ask,or maybe because not was all good, but he had some good ones along the way and I only learned about them not long before he passed..im sure many many others had stories to tell, many great, many sad, but needed to be told..
@@daveballin ..corrected to the best i could..😉
That's a great story Brian, thank you for sharing!
Fantastic & informative video! In August 1961, only 10 months after Clark Gable's death, both my grandparents died that month & we sold their house to a former, WWII aerial gunner, named Hill (can't remember his first name) who was in "Gunnery school" with Gable! He said that Gable was a "great guy" who asked no special favors, even though he was a major movie star! At 41, Gable didn't have to participate in the War, but went "above & beyond", to do his duty! Lest we forget, pilots, James Stewart, Tyrone Power, Wayne Morris, ( Hollywood's only "ACE"), & many other, already established stars, gave up their 'cushy' lives to also 'do their part'! R.I.P. Clark Gable, et al!
Donald Pleasance also served in RAF, flew almost 60 raids(!) until in 1944 was shot down and imprisoned in Stalag Luft 1.
@@augustlandmesser1520 There are interviews online of Donald Pleasance describing his difficult times working on the set of 'The Great Escape' because it brought back so many bad memories for him.
Ted Williams also volunteered at the height of his baseball career.
Actually, he was first deployed as a gunnery instructor at homeland bases. He taught potential gunners about deflection shooting. He was qualified because of his hunting ability because he was an avid hunter.
Big dove hunter here in Yuma Az. He used to stay at the San Carlos hotel downtown, which still stands. He was one hell of a shot with a shotgun.
@@budkingston3347 Just my opinion, but I don't like hunters. My dad gave me a .22-caliber rifle (with a scope) when I was a kid. For a few months, I shot squirrels and birds. But then I started feeling guilty. Killing innocent animals made me feel bad, so I stopped. Maybe I'm soft-hearted, but I think it's better to be soft-hearted than to be a cold-hearted killer.
@@jonstone9741 If you we’re killing critters to kill critters, there is a reason you felt guilty. The majority of hunters are ethical and eat the meat. In modern times, it is easy to think ill of hunters as most meat is cultivated out of sight, in less ethical processes and the killing is performed vicariously by others. In a nation of obesity because of 24/7 unlimited food supply, it’s best not to forget that our food supply is unnatural
@Jon Stone most hunters don't kill just to kill You hunt for meat, to clear pests/invasive species, or (if you're a farmer) to protect your livestock from predators
@@budkingston3347 I eat meat that has been humanely euthanised in an abattoir , hunters shoot animals and they die in agony so Hunting is an abomination . Yanks just live to kill .......
Amazing. True to life bad ass! What great American heart in Clark, a man with fame and fortune risking it all, shows immense courage.
Frank Sutton, who played GySgt Carter on Gomer Pyle served in the US Army Signal Corp and fought in the Philippines taking part in numerous amphibious landings and I believe earned The Bronze Star and Purple Heart in one of them.
Great actor and brave man (I had already read about his war record). His fellow actor and personal friend David Niven also joined up. He returned to England and became a commando, and rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
...and is a dead ringer for Oskar Dirlewanger - one of the most awful war criminals who ever lived.
Niven was already a graduate of Sandhurst, their "West Point", before the war!
@@patrickmurphy3048 No, Dirlewanger is an ugly S.O.B and would never have been a leading man.
@@rongendron8705 His book, 'The Moon's A Balloon' is very, very entertaining and well worth a read. I think he talks, very self-deprecatingly about his early military service.
When challenged by Americans in the Battle of Bulge, he was unable to answer their question about the World Series, but pointed out he'd been in a movie with Ginger Rogers and was recognised
I heard a story to the effect that when the service men held dances, Gable would ask the plainest girl to dance, thinking to give her something she could boast of for the rest of her life.
That's pure class. What a man.
It’s a scam. The pretty ones can’t stand that someone they view as inferior are asked over themselves. In the most gratuitous manner, they will go to great depths to secure attention. He no doubt knew this, that’s why he’s considered a ladies man.
@@budkingston3347 I think it was just kindness.
Hé could probably get almost any woman he wanted without too much trouble. So it was him just being a nice guy asking the ‘plain’ girls to dance. And why not? Seems consistent with his character.
@@budkingston3347 scam? What does that mean?
My last assignment in my 23 year Air Force career was Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, and they still had lots of pictures of Clark Gable everywhere as he'd apparently done a portion of his gunnery training there. Until now, I'd never known the nature of his (Army) Air Force service (the Air Force didnt officially become its own department until 1947). Thanks for the informative video!
Nice documentary, My great uncle was on the same B17 that Clark Gable was on. Each of the flight crew had to all sign a $1 bill, they kept the bill on them all the time and when they got back from a mission. When they went to a bar/pub, whoever didn't have the dollar had to buy the drink. My aunt still has the dollar bill that my uncle brought back with him from the war and it has his name on it along with the B17 crew including Clark Gable. It wasn't long ago that another dollar was on the Pawn Stars show and a woman had it. This looks just like the dollar my uncle brought back with the same signatures along with his. Pretty cool to watch this video and have a family connection to the story.
NEAT thanks for posting .. I did a quick google search for the men that were on ship with Gable ...wanted to see if they had been interviewed or made comments or wrote a book or paper on serving with him ... found nothing .. glad you posted this ....
Here in Ohio he hung around this place called Malabar farms. It is said that he often worked at the roadside stand that sold items from the farm. People would often tell him he looked like Clark Gable and he would say I have heard that before. So humble.
The actor Richard Todd parachuted into Normandy on D-Day as part of the Op to capture Pegasus Bridge. In 1962 he appeared in the film "The Longest Day" playing the part of Major John Howard, the officer who commanded him on that very mission.
And he passes by his younger self in one scene
Strictly, he was part of the relief force, the actual attack being by gliders. But he was there
Bronson was a truck driver first and then an aerial gunner who flew on combat missions. His Purple Heart medal proved that he was a combat veteran.
Thank you for doing such an amazing job making this! Loved it
My father used to tell me a wartime story of how his father (in a reserved occupation - a farmer) was instead a special police constable in Biggleswade in Bedfordshire (UK) during WW2. It was a drinking destination for US flyers, and a few might spend a night in the cells. Apparently Clark Gable was sent over sometimes to help bail them out - presumably as a huge star he could do wonders getting them out. If anyone is interested in British actors in wartime look up Basil Rathbone!
What about Christopher Lee? He was a MF BADASS in WWII, MATE!
Going to the Canadian side, James Doohan hit Sword Beach. Got hit six times, one of which blew off a finger.
Thanks for the pointer to Rathbone's service. I did not know that.
@@Xariama Thanks for the pointer to Doohan's service. I did not know that. If you google it you can see images from Star Trek where his finger is obviously missing.
Great video. Lest we forget, "Scotty" from Star Trek (James Doohan) was a Canadian soldier who stormed Juno Beach on D-day. So many great and selfless men from this era.
If you look closely James Doohan had only 9 fingers. One was shot off by a German machine gun during the D-Day landings. He was also badly hit in the leg and a bullet was stopped by a cigarette case in his breast pocket.
"brave" and "courageous" "kanadian" "soldiers" looted, pillaged and sacked their way thru Normandy and Northern France in the days, weeks and months after D - Day. Catholic hating Masonic gunners of the Hastings - Prince Edward Regiment deliberately targeted and destroyed Catholic Churches, Abbies, Priories and Convents. Including the Carmelite Convent to which St. Claire de Lisieux had been admitted as an postulant. At the age of only 15. The nuns had to take refuge in the crypt beneath the church as the Masonic Catholic Haters bombed and shelled their convent. Real "heroes." We must also recall that, by 1944, many of the Catholic Churches, wantonly destroyed by the Catholic Hating sub - human Masonic garbage, whom you, apparently hold in such high regard (probably because you are also an member of "the Craft"), were nearly 1,000 years old. Having been built by the Normans between circa 960 and 1087. And some of these churches had been built by the Gallo - Roman population of Normandy. In the 5th and 6th centuries. And were rebuilt and enlarged by the Normans.Their destruction was an war crime. And an act of bestial anti - Catholic bigotry. And, finally, we must remember the 150,00 French Catholic woman and girls who were kidnapped, beaten, raped and then shot. By "brave" and "courageous" "kanadian" soldiers. In the days, weeks and months after D - Day. As well. About 5,000 of these women remain missing and unaccounted for to this day. And farmers in Northern France still find bones in their fields. Every spring. Forensic and DNA Analysis invariably indicates that the remains are "an young female person, between the ages of 14 and 30." The remains also indicate severe physical trauma as well. Broken bones, fractured skulls, and, bullet holes in the skull. "For reasons of public security," (sic), the rounds recovered are almost never identified or attributed to the "victorious allies." You're a goofball. And an moron.
Great story and much respect! RIP to him and all those service members of the greatest generation.
No one today would even consider doing this. This was the greatest generation. Much respect for Mr Gable.
Wayne Morris (February 17, 1914 - September 14, 1959), was an American film and television actor, as well as a decorated World War II fighter ACE. He appeared in many notable films, including Paths of Glory (1957), The Bushwhackers (1952) and the title role of Kid Galahad in 1937. While filming Flight Angels (1940), Morris became interested in flying and became a pilot. With war in the wind, he joined the Naval Reserve and became a Navy flier in 1942, leaving his film career behind for the duration of the war. Flying the F6F Hellcat off the aircraft carrier USS Essex, Morris shot down seven Japanese planes and contributed to the sinking of five ships. He was awarded four Distinguished Flying Crosses and two Air Medals. Morris was considered by the Navy as physically 'too big' to fly fighters. After being turned down several times as a fighter pilot, he went to his uncle-in-law, Cdr. David Mc Campbell, imploring him for the chance to fly fighters. Cdr. Mc Campbell said "Give me a letter." He flew with the VF-15, the famed "Mc Campbell Heroes." Morris suffered a massive heart attack while visiting aboard the aircraft carrier USS Bon Homme Richard in San Francisco Bay and was pronounced dead after being transported to Oakland Naval Hospital in Oakland, California. He was 45. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
Thanks for your research Janice, appreciated.
@@johnmeneses7039 😊
You lifted this word for word of Wikipedia What a clown 🤡
At least he died on a carrier, where he felt at home. Truly amazing men and their flying machines.
Baseball hall of Famer Ted Williams the only player to hit for over a 400 batting average in a season was a fighter pilot in WW2
Tyrone Power joined the Marines. He flew R4D and R5C transports into and out of Iwo Jima and Okinawa -- supplies in, and wounded Marines out. Sterling Hayden joined the Marines under an assumed name. His background check revealed he was a famous actor. The Corps loaned him to OSS, and he sailed around the Adriatic making contact with Tito's partisans. Gene Autry quit his gig as a Singing Cowboy and joined the USAAF. He was made an enlisted pilot and assigned to fly C-87 cargo Liberators ''Over the Hump'' . [Republic Studios gave his role to Roy Rogers.] Dutch Reagan didn't get overseas, but headed up the USAAF's 1st Motion Picture Unit, turning out polished, studio-grade training films.
Are talking about Gene Autry?
@@sking3492 Yes. Sorry, I didn't see the typo. And of course Gen looks like the abreviation for general, Thanks. It's been edited now.
Sterling Hayden’s service is referenced in Robert Redford’s “Three Days Of The Condor” when his CIA boss mentions his own wartime service saying, “I sailed the Adriatic with a movie star at the helm”.
Many of the established stars went and served with distinction. I’m amazed that many regular guys served but then came back and begun their careers in Hollywood. So many that it makes one feel as if their service gave them the courage to pursue what most of us would never try.
Thank you for the video. Incredible story about Clark Gable and Carol Lombard. True love. My Dad was a teenager, pilot, navigator during WW2. He was lucky to survive. God bless those who really care. In this crazy world now we need peace not war.
Here's to all the airmen who fought in WW2. I have a family member who was a bombardier on a B17. He would only talk about it when we went camping. I love you and miss you everyday G- PA.
Yeah, that was my Dad. belly gunner 8th AF. 50 missions. That bullshit of 25 and out didn`t last long.
@TimRHillard There’s a guy in the Native American tribe I have heritage from who was a tail gunner on a B-17 and flew some 54 missions over Europe including Germany. His brother, Bill, was in 2nd Platoon, Company E, 2nd Battalion, 116th Regiment, 29th Division. He is know as the first man on Omaha Beach. You can look him up; his name is William “Bill/Cowboy” Parker.
I thank them for their service. What a time, what a group of people. We stand on the foundations they made.@@cameronkedas3375
In the late 90s/early 00s I was stationed in the UK and lived in the same town where Gable spent most of his service. Even 50 years post-war there were more than a few women of a certain age in the area who'd gladly (and eagerly) recall meeting Mr. Gable, and some even remembered sharing a dance with him during various social events hosted on base. By all accounts he was nothing less than gracious.
My grandfather was a middle gunner in a B17…completed all his missions..when he died we found out through his DD214 that he had 6 bronze stars. Never once told us about them.
My father was a tail gunner on a B-17. They flew extra missions. They were a terrific group on his B-17. He was lucky to make it home alive.
Listening to this story makes me proud that Clark Gable was such a Man of character that he cared about the men that he served along side with during World War II. I had been told about a story about My Late Father. If one were to take a photo of both My Late Father and of Clark Gable, one would think that they were the same person. My Late Father served in the United States Air Force and was a Vietnam War Veteran. He had just completed a transaction at his bank and was approached by a woman who commented that he looked so much like Clark Gable. She had made the suggestion that he might consider getting an Agent and see about going to Hollywood. He said that he appreciated the compliment, but was wanting to serve his Country. It warms my heart whenever I remember that account of My Late Father.
I almost forgot about Scotty! He was a Canadian ground pounder in Holland. He left a finger there.too.
James Doohan also flew a plane to serve as a spotter for artillery so they'd know where to fire to hit enemy positions. He was apparently a very skilled flyer before becoming a "ground pounder".
Major General Jimmy Stewart, a Bomber Pilot, mission leader, flew 20 + missions. And a great actor too.
Excellent informative video. Mr. Gable was an inspiration to those around him.
Charles Durning landed in one of the first D-Day waves onto Omaha Beach. 2600 men died on Omaha that day and the battles raged for much of the day. Eddie Albert got a bronze star (perhaps deserved higher) for his heroics during the landings on Tarawa.
I am 73 years old and have seen a lot of movies with Clark Gable as a kid. I did not know of his loss or his heroism in WW2. My Dad served in the army at that time. Love and prayers Mr. Gable, you are a great actor indeed.
May your dad rest in peace. Great job sir.
@@backagain5216 Tragedy again struck the Gable family when Clark’s grandson, Clark Gable Jr., passed away. He was a young man who was the host of Cheaters. When the series was on hiatus, he died suddenly from drug overdose. I don’t know particulars, whether accidental or intentional, but either way it is a tragedy.
Thank you and your father for your service.
Wonderful show TJ2 History! I had NO IDEA Clark Gable was that much of a bad ass hero! Please send this to Hollywood to make a movie. It is a really awesome story. P.-S my own dad was French resistance and had fantastic brave stories of his own. I had to pull these out of him, as he would not tell otherwise. Cheers.
This might have been the most beautiful put together documentary that I've ever seen! D*** good contents and excellent narration.
I knew an older fellow at my flight school, in the late 1980s, who was a vet who was Gable's aerial gunnery instructor during WW2. Arnold Michael was his name, and he flew out of White Plains, NY. I believe he passed away several years ago.
If you watch his movies throughout his career, you see the change in his persona as an actor in the parts he played. His post war characters are much more wizened than the brashness of his early career.
Props to Gable, I didn't know about this aspect of him. Yes, I think there are a few actors today that would still do this, but very few. Him writing letters to the families of men killed in combat is quite telling about his character as well as earning the respect of ordinary (if you can use that word for a B17 crewman) through deeds.
You know this is so typical of men back then! My sister and I had buried our mother 6 weeks earlier, when my Dad suddenly died. I always new my Dad was a brave man and had served in WWII. However, at his funeral when the Veteran began reading all the campaigns and medals he had earned, it went on and on! We both looked at each other our eyes getting bigger and bigger! The Veteran had to take a drink of water before he could finish. Later my Sister and I discussed the fact that we never knew our Dad was a true to life hero that distinguished himself time after time! A man, one of 6 children son, of Polish immigrants that had only been in this country for 18 years. ❤❤
I have a copy of "Combat America," released on VHS during the 50th anniversary years of WWII. Gable was under orders from Gen. Arnold to make that film, and that's all he had to do. But, as your documentary shows, he push to be able to actually fly missions. One critique for the sake of accuracy: You show Carole Lombard's plane crashing into a field. It actually crashed into a cliff. People still hike there to this day and find pieces of the aircraft. Good video. Thanks for producing it.
Unfortunately there’s not many maps in War Thunder with decent cliffs on them, so that was close to the best he would have been able to get for the video
The plane crashed into a mountain side, not a cliff!
@@txcgladiator4030 that was il2 great battles game
Good video. Actually many and future Hollywood stars were servicemen. Lee Marvin-Marine, Ernest Borgnine-Marine, Ed McMahon-Marine Fighter Pilot, Jimmy Stewart- AAC Pilot, Audie Murphy - Army Infantry,
Ernest Borgnine had just gotten out of the Navy in 1941. He re-enlisted and was Chief of the Boat on a minesweeper, I think. My internet is down right now. Eddie Albert was in the Coast Guard, conning a landing craft at Tarawa. He made several runs back inshore under Enemy fire to rescue wounded Marines. He was an actor before the War.
James Arness participated in the invasion of Anzio. As the tallest man on his landing craft he was first off to test the depth of the water. It only came up to his waist so the rest of the unit followed him.
@@bwtv147 Love me some Matt Dillon! Never knew this!
Warthunder used to create examples is a really cool idea. great tool for this kinda stuff. Nice one.
Great video - well written, well narrated, great video support JR
I can't believe I was unaware of so much of this, being a Clark Gable fan. Thanks for this great video.
My late stepfather taught aerial gunnery to Clark Gable. It would seem he was a good student.
I really enjoyed this video. I knew about Clark Gable exploits in the 8th Air Force and I think you captured this very well in this video. Thanks a bunch. Have you considered doing something on Jimmy Stewart who was a pilot on a B-17 Flying Fortress?
Wow, I'm pretty much a WWII history geek. I knew Gable did films then but no idea he was in combat. Much respect!
Chuck Norris took part in the Normandy invasion in June 1944. He commanded a platoon of men who destroyed 17 pillboxes and bunkers. He was 4 years old.
His enlistment papers said he was 4 but we all know he lied. He was really 3.
😂
What a true hero!. Also David Niven British Actor who was in the war film Guns Of Navarrone landed in Normandy on June 6 1944. A real British war hero.
Wow mad respect for major Clark Gable he was a real stand up guy ,my grandpa was radio operator and waist gunner when they first sent the b17 in, when they were losing 15 percent of the force every mission . My grandpa meet Clark gable and said he really was trying quietly get on mission and said he was on of the most stand up good guy you could ever meet
I never knew this. I watched all his movies on black and white TV when I was a kid, which I think is about the time he got to join Carol. Much respect! RIP
A hero is someone who see a desperate need and without regards to safety fills that need
He actually turned "Gone With the Wind" into almost a comedy. Always respected him as an actor, now even more. Great video!
I used to live near the airbase where he was stationed, he used to go into the big towns for a beer with the boys. He was a great man.
Major Clark Gable, I salute you for your service and for all the hours of entertainment that I watched on my black and white t.v. It looked like he enjoyed acting in combat as he did on the silver screen. I was not acting during my two tours of combat and my 20 years of service with a honorable discharge. I served 4year in the USMC and 16 years in the USArmy. RegularJoe
Hedy Lamar: developed frequency hopping for unjammable, secure radio transmissions. Cell phone technology is based in part on her work.
AAAND She was super HOT.
Glenn Ford was a Marine Corps pilot in Vietnam. Robert Keeshan, better known as Captain Kangaroo, also served in the Pacific.
Glenn Ford was on ships not flying them (during WW2). Ed McMahon was a fighter pilot and a Marine during the WW2 (per IMDB).
I believe Lee Marvin was in the USMC in the Pacific during WW2 as well.
@James Mcbeth Yes. Marvin was wounded on Saipan. He was a scout/swimmer. Lee got into acting Postwar. He was a plumber at a theater and a player didn't show up for rehearsal. They gave him a script and the rest is history.
I have read the story of Keeshan seeing combat is untrue and was debunked long ago. The truth according to what I read is that he served but his unit never left stateside because the war ended just before they were slated to ship out. This is not to diminish Keeshan's wartime service, just the facts.
@@onemoremisfit Capt Kangaroo's sidekick, Mr Green Jeans, Hugh Brannum, was also a Marine. He toured with a Marine service band [not THE Marine Band] with Bob Crosby, Bing's brother.
Brilliant... One of your best my friend..!!
I knew of this story long ago. I always liked Clark Gable. He has a photo with Jimmy Stewart, while they were both in uniform. Stewart was a B24 Pilot who flew many missions himself. Once they sent Clark Gable back home, realizing he could not longer see combat missions, he resigned. Check him out in the Western TALL MEN , really good one.
Adam Driver (the actor famed for playing Kylo Ren in Star Wars) was a Marine, a Lance Corporal. He joined up after 9/11, and served for a few years before being medically discharged after fracturing his sternum whilst mountain biking.
I knew that Gable had joined, but I didn't know he threw down like that! Nice. When Hitler put out the bounty, Gable was all like, "Frankly, Hitler, I don't give a damn!"
Great video! I'm sure there are stars today would take up the call to arms. Pat Tillman of the NFL, while not a movie, is a prime example of the spirit that still lives on in our country.
This is a good story even the use of footage from war thunder and real life! Love it
Clark Gable is one of my favorite actors. I absolutely love his movies! I had no idea he participated actively in WW2.
This was something I didn't know. Very impressive. I just became a fan. Don't forget Jimmy Stewart who was an Air Force flyer and later a general in the reserves
Just like Jimmy Stewart! He also flew missions, nobody knew about! 2 8th AAF greats 👍 👌
Never realised what a great guy he was, now going to dig out some of his movies.
Yes Richard, Jimmy did serve, and served well. He was a good man with a good heart, too. Any actor or actress who served their country deserves respect.
Mel Brooks was a combat engineer in Patton's army heavy combat for almost a year straight
I'm not good with names but I'm pretty good with faces. When you showed that guy's picture I was astounded that I recognized him, though heck if I can remember what from. Growing up, my folks LOVED old-time movies, so I'm sure that's where I saw him.
A slow salute to Major Clark Gable. He was a star almost a century ago and is well worthy of being remembered as a great hero and brave fighting man. All my love and respect goes out to hos memory and decendants. From an unknown American air assult crewman
You should do a video on another this time on A-List actor Jimmy Stewart. He was in the thick of combat, I believe even took part in one of the deadliest days in American air force history too.
I used to live in Kettering Northamptonshire, and a friend told me he used to come in to town quiet often , and later to be his wife had danced with him, she told him after the war when they met , he was a perfect gentleman , their were a lot of American air bases all around this part of Northamptonshire and a lot of the crews that went out never come back, one base lost its complete flight,I can’t imagine the Paine and grief that they had to live with. There is a book out in print that tells the story of the bomb group’s in and around the midlands ,and in it are actual stories, flight reports, you need good nerves to reed it, you can’t put it down at times with out a tear or two, being shed , most day light bombing had very high casualties.
9:25 my great grand-uncle was one of the 154 taken as pows. met him when i was 3, he was in a wheelchair and still kicking. He died a month later, he was a hell of a man.
Thank you so much for this, & moreso, for helping our next generations appreciate what our "Greatest Generation" did for us. My Dad volunteered to be a tail-gunner on a B-17. He & 4 of 5 uncles served in WWII (the 5th in Korea), & their mothers, fathers, & sisters served & sacrificed so much at home. I chose a career to teach history to honor of them & all our generous ancestors who deserve so much of our humble gratitude.
Thanks for highlighting the excellent manner in which Gable caried out his duty. There is a news reel film which just typifies his serious attitude to the war effort; the film crew spotted a machine gun poking out of the waist position of a B17 with Gable in attendance and tried to get him to pose with it. Gable had no time for the glamourisation of the conflict when the film crew asked what the .50 cal would sound like with him on the trigger ? ''...just the same as it would with any other airman on it..'' was the reply .
At least he tried!!! Enjoyed your video and I gave it a Thumbs Up
Wow!!!!!!!!!!!! I never knew, where I used to like Clark Gable as an actor, I now have so much respect for him as well.
This is dealt with in the fantastic book "Mission: Jimmy Stewart and the Fight for Europe." Stewart's contributions were way in excess of Gable's, Stewart was a B24 pilot, flight leader, and was pulled after 20 missions only because he got promoted and was more valuable leading. He got 2 Distinguished Service Crosses. In that book, Stewart recounted that Gable told him when he was leaving, "you know you're throwing your career away?" and Stewart said yes. But this was before Pearl Harbor and Gable's wife died after that. It did seem that Gable had a death wish and as Stewart knew, the Army "had no use for fliers who wanted to die." So in the author's view, it was the Army that pulled Gable after 5 missions. They certainly did not want Hitler to get his hands on the King of Hollywood.
I'd like to believe there'd be a good number of actors willing to lead the way and go to war. You never know what's in a person's heart until they're actually called upon, or placed in that position.
Great Guud Man....Semper fi Clark you have Earned your Wings 🐥
I respect the hell out of Clark Gable for what he did..... AND every other person who helped liberate those abroad and defend our freedoms. God bless them all.