World War II-dated vintage pearl-finish 8 x 9.75 portrait of Major Stewart in his U.S. Army Air Forces military uniform, signed and inscribed in fountain pen, "To Sally Ann — with my best wishes, Maj. Jimmy Stewart.” In very good to fine condition, with scattered light creasing, and rippling to the edges (heaviest to the left side).
Stewart was promoted to major following a mission to Ludwigshafen, Germany, on January 7, 1944. While leading the 445th, Stewart made a decision in combat to not break formation from another group that had made an error in navigation. The other group lost four bombers in a subsequent interception, but Stewart's decision possibly saved it from annihilation and incurred considerable damage to his own 48 aircraft. His decision resulted in a letter of commendation and promotion to major on January 20, 1944. Sy Bartlett and Beirne Lay used the episode in their novel 12 O'Clock High.
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