Flight has come a long way since Orville Wright hovered over Kitty Hawk for twelve seconds on December 17, 1903. From that point, flying excursions happened rapidly. The Wright brothers weren’t the only ones working on these crazy contraptions. The U.S. Army formulated a small aeronautical unit to work on all matters pertaining to flight. During World War I, the energy spent on flight focused in an effort to protect the country and our allies. Then, between the two World Wars, Air Service Units, what would become the Air Force, became part of each Army ground force.

The Air Services played a crucial part in World War II. This plan took the fight to the enemy where they were, instead of letting them come to us. After successful flying missions, the United States Air Force officially became an independent branch of the military in 1947. As a separate branch, the Air Force could focus singularly on how their efforts could most help the country and those fighting for it, as well as lifting men and women out of harm during war times. Because of those beginnings, and the courage of our airmen, American soil was protected. 

The U.S. Air Force is now celebrating their 60th anniversary. A special cancellation postmark September 18, 2007-October 18, 2007 at 40 base post offices is being issued by the U.S. Postal Services to honor the Air Force. The pictorial cancellation is a B-24 Liberator bomber flown during World War II. Major Todd Copley originally thought of the postmark because a B-24 squadron led by Brig. Gen. James Stewart, better known by civilians as actor Jimmy Stewart, was a sister to his own squadron. 

Jimmy Stewart served 27 years in the Army Air Corps and Air Force Reserve. He was a World War II pilot while becoming the well loved actor. As part of a military family, Jimmy joined the military when the U.S. entered World War II. A few years before the attack on Pearl Harbor, Stewart and another film star, Hoagy Carmichael, used their money to create a flying school in Glendale, Arizona, which trained more than 200,000 pilots during the war. He quickly rose in the Air Force ranks, receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross twice, the Croix de Guerre, and the Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters.

The U.S. Air Force and courageous men and women like Brig. Gen. James Stewart have valiantly protected the United States. The 60th anniversary celebration is a time to be thankful for their hard work and success. 

For more information on American flight history, visit Geppi’s Entertainment Museum and check out the GEM website.