Fonda and Stewart both joined the military during World War II. Fonda wanted to be part of the real action, saying, “I don’t want to be in a fake war in a studio,” so he enlisted in the Navy.
Stewart spent a year training new pilots in New Mexico before being sent to Europe to fly B-24 bombers over Nazi-occupied areas. At the time, air crews were expected to die after 8-12 missions, but Stewart flew 20. He was stationed in Europe until the war ended, serving with the 445th Bomber Group/8th Air Force. He earned many honors, including two Distinguished Flying Crosses, four Air Medals, a Presidential Unit Citation, and the French Croix de Guerre.
Henry Fonda served for three years, starting as a Quartermaster 3rd Class on the USS Satterlee destroyer. Later, he was promoted to Lieutenant Junior Grade in Air Combat Intelligence in the Central Pacific, earning the Bronze Star Medal and Navy Presidential Unit Citation.
Both of these men continued serving after the war, showing true heroism by putting their famous careers aside to help their country during its time of need.