James T. Stewart

James Thompson Stewart (2 April 1921 – 3 September 1990) was a lieutenant general in the United States Air Force (USAF). He entered the United States Army Air Corps in 1941, and flew two combat tours in Europe as commander of the 508th Bombardment Squadron during World War II. He served with the Far East Air Force in the Korean War, and was staff director of the National Reconnaissance Office and the vice director of the Manned Orbiting Laboratory.

Early life James Thompson Stewart was born St. Louis, Missouri, on 2 April 1921, the son of Freddie Duell and Bertha Golike Stewart. He graduated from Roosevelt High School in St. Louis in 1938. His father wanted him to attended the United States Naval Academy, but he was unable to secure an appointment, and entered the University of Michigan instead.

While there he served in the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC), and learned to fly though the Civilian Pilot Training Program, with the idea of eventually becoming a commercial pilot. After two years at the University of Michigan he was offered an appointment to the Naval Academy but turned it down, since World War II had already broken out in Europe and he did not want to spend the next few years at the Academy.

World War II In 1941, Stewart attempted to join the Navy, but for some reason it determined that he was color blind. The Army's tests indicated no such disability, and with over two years of college he was allowed to enlist as a Flying Cadet. He underwent primary, basic and advanced pilot training at Brooks Field, Texas, and on completion of the training he received his wings and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Army Air Corps in 1942.

Dates of rank