Military Service

War: WWII
James Stewart served 27 years, retiring in 1968; flew as command pilot in lead B-24 on numerous missions deep into Nazi-occupied Europe.

War: WWII
Larry Storch served in US Navy during WWII on submarine tender USS Proteus (with future actor Tony Curtis) (before film career)

War: WWII
Woody Strode served in the US Army during World War II.

War: WWII
Robert Taylor learned to fly in the mid-1930s & served as a US Navy flying instructor during WWII.

War: WWII
Rudy Vallée enlisted in Coast Guard during WWII to help direct 11th district Coast Guard band as Chief Petty Officer.

War: WWII
Lee Van Cleef served in US Navy aboard minesweepers & subchasers during WWII. (before film career)

War: WWII
Jack Warden served as paratrooper in 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment with the elite 101st Airborne Division (before film career)

War: WWI
William A. Wellman joined French Foreign Legion; shot down by enemy anti-aircraft fire in 1918; walked with limp rest of his life.

War: WWII
William Wyler served as major in US Army Air Forces & directed 2 documentaries; lost hearing in 1 ear due to aircraft engines loud sounds