in my mind no actor has or ever will touch the combat/military record of jimmy stewart. Remember he left his acting career at the TOP of his game to join the AAF. Worked his way up to four engine a/c commander, THEN volunteered/insisted that he be sent to the 8th to fly combat. Once he started flying combat he insisted on a press blackout, simply because he didnt want the extra attention. His record as squadron commander, and group operations officer was excellent, and it was assumed that he was kicked up to group staff because he insisted on flying as much as possible and only the hard mission. He was slated for high command but the war ended before it happened. Then upon arriving back in NY after the war on the queen mary, he personally shook the hand of every GI under his command as they got off the boat.
The definition of a hero.