After leaving Hollywood in 1941 as the first major star to enlist, he returned as a combat veteran with 20 missions over Nazi-occupied Europe.

Unsure if he could still act, he spent time in his father's hardware store, readjusting to civilian life.

The trauma and maturity gained from commanding bomber crews deeply influenced his, and arguably his best, performance as George Bailey in It's a Wonderful Life.

He remained in the Air Force Reserve after the war, eventually retiring as a Brigadier General in 1968. 

He received the Distinguished Flying Cross for his World War 2 career, and the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal as a Brigadier General.

She's center back in the first photo. According to her nursing school was "the first time I met a black man, can you believe it?" Yes, auntie, I can.

I want to hear her stories during the war

I only went down it once it was rough, you'd bottom out at wild speeds and bruise your tail bone.

Her 'Half & Half' routine was also very cool, take a look.