Phyllis Brown
Many Hollywood stars and professional athletes, at the peak of their fame and success, were called upon to serve their country during a time of war. Despite their glittering careers, they chose to set everything aside to fight for freedom.
Some answered the draft, while others enlisted voluntarily, knowing full well they might never return to the careers they’d worked so hard to build.
For these celebrities, the call to defend their country spoke louder than the lure of fame. Here’s how they risked it all to serve in WWII.
1. James Stewart
James Stewart, beloved for his everyman persona, had 28 films to his name before enlisting. A licensed pilot even before the war, Stewart was initially turned down for military service due to being underweight.
Determined, he bulked up and eventually became the first major U.S. movie star to don a uniform and rise from private to colonel in just four years. Stewart flew 20 combat missions over Nazi-occupied Europe.
Stewart’s military career culminated with the rank of Brigadier General, and after the war, he returned to Hollywood to star in It’s a Wonderful Life, a role that cemented his legacy/
2. Clark Gable
The dashing Clark Gable, known for his role as Rhett Butler in “Gone with the Wind,” was devastated by the death of his wife, Carole Lombard, in a plane crash during a war bond tour.
To honor her memory, Gable enlisted in the Army Air Force. He flew five combat missions as a tail gunner on B-17 bombers, earning an Air Medal and a Distinguished Flying Cross.
Adolf Hitler was reportedly such a fan of Gable that he offered a large reward for his capture.
3. Ted Williams
One of baseball’s greatest hitters, Ted Williams had an impeccable career with the Boston Red Sox, including a .406 batting average in 1941—a record that still stands.
But when WWII called, Williams didn’t hesitate. As a Naval Aviator, he served as a flight instructor and later flew combat missions in Korea.
His remarkable hand-eye coordination made him an exceptional pilot, earning him the rank of captain by the time he was discharged.
4. Henry Fonda
Already famous for his role in “The Grapes of Wrath,” Henry Fonda enlisted in the U.S. Navy to serve in a real war, not just a simulated one in a studio.
He served on the destroyer USS Satterlee during the D-Day invasion, providing support for the troops landing on Omaha Beach.
He was a Quartermaster 3rd Class and later a Lieutenant Junior Grade in Air Combat Intelligence.
Fonda later described his military service as one of the most meaningful experiences of his life.
5. Joe DiMaggio
Joe DiMaggio, the New York Yankees icon, was known for his 56-game hitting streak—a record that still stands.
When he enlisted in the Army Air Forces in 1943, his celebrity status was so high that his superiors initially wanted to keep him stateside for morale purposes.
However, DiMaggio insisted on serving overseas, where he contributed to morale by playing exhibition baseball games for troops stationed in the Pacific.
Rising to the rank of sergeant, DiMaggio’s patriotism shone just as brightly as his athletic talents.
6. Hank Greenberg
Hank Greenberg, a towering figure in Major League Baseball, was one of the first players to enlist in the U.S. Army during the nation’s first peacetime draft.
Greenberg gave up a $55,000 contract—an enormous sum at the time—to serve his country. During his service, he saw action in the China-Burma-India Theater, where he earned the rank of captain.
After the war, Greenberg returned to baseball and won two more MVP awards.
7. Warren Spahn
Warren Spahn, Major League Baseball’s winningest left-handed pitcher, enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1942. He saw action in the Battle of the Bulge and was awarded a Purple Heart for his bravery and service.
Warren Spahn, the winningest left-handed pitcher in baseball history, was known for his durability on the mound. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1942.
During the war, he served as a combat engineer and saw action at the Battle of the Bulge, one of the war’s most brutal confrontations.
Spahn was also part of the force that captured the Ludendorff Bridge at Remagen, a pivotal moment in the Allied advance into Germany.
He was awarded a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star for his bravery.
8. Joe Louis
Joe Louis, the “Brown Bomber,” was not only a boxing legend but also a symbol of hope and unity for Americans during the war.
He enlisted in the Army in 1942 and spent most of his service boosting troop morale through exhibition matches, famously declaring, “We’re gonna do our part…and we’ll win because we’re on God’s side.” He was promoted to technical sergeant in 1945.
His fights raised significant funds for the war effort, and his service helped break down racial barriers within the military. Although he never saw combat, Louis was awarded the Legion of Merit for his morale and race relations contributions.
9. Jackie Coogan
Jackie Coogan, who became famous as a child star in “Charlie Chaplin’s The Kid,” was one of the first Hollywood actors to volunteer for service after Pearl Harbor.
He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1941 and became a glider pilot in the Army Air Forces. As Lieutenant of the 1st Air Commando Group, he flew dangerous missions to drop supplies and troops behind enemy lines.
Coogan’s wartime service was a far cry from his days as a beloved child actor, but he embraced the challenge with courage.
10. Stan Musial
Stan Musial, known as “Stan the Man,” was a cornerstone of the St. Louis Cardinals for 22 seasons. When he was drafted into the Navy in 1944, Musial was initially assigned to noncombat duty.
However, he later served in Special Services in Hawaii, contributing to the war effort by bringing back damaged ship crews.
Musial returned to baseball after the war and continued to build a legendary career, earning 24 All-Star selections.
11. Patty Berg
Patty Berg, one of the greatest female golfers of all time, was a trailblazer both on and off the course.
During WWII, she served as a Lieutenant Procurement Officer in the Marines, helping to recruit and train women for service.
Berg’s dedication to her country mirrored her determination on the golf course, where she won a record 15 major championships—a record that still stands today.
12. David Niven
David Niven, the suave British actor best known for his role in “The Pink Panther,” was already an established star when he returned to Britain to join the Army after the war was declared on Germany in 1939.
Despite being urged to stay in Hollywood, Niven’s sense of duty led him back to Britain. Niven served with distinction in the British Commandos, participating in the Normandy invasion.
He later recounted his wartime experiences with a mix of humor and humility, often downplaying his bravery despite earning several commendations.
