Major William Clark Gable, An Airman's Story
Major William Clark Gable, An Airman's Story
Major Clark Gable was born William Clark Gable on February 1, 1901, in Cadiz, Ohio. Long before he became one of Hollywood’s most recognizable leading men, Gable lived a working-class life, holding jobs in oil fields, managing horses, working at Firestone Rubber, and selling neckties at Meier & Frank. His famously commanding screen presence was not accidental; he invested years in voice training and stage discipline before finding lasting success in film.
At the height of his fame, tragedy reshaped his life. In January 1942, Gable’s wife, actress Carole Lombard, was killed in a plane crash while returning from a war bond tour. In response to both his personal grief and the global conflict, Gable enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces on August 12, 1942, refusing honorary roles and instead requesting active service.
Gable trained as an aerial gunner and was assigned to the 351st Bomb Group, flying B-17 missions from RAF Polebrook in England. He flew multiple combat missions over occupied Europe, facing anti-aircraft fire alongside the airmen he served with. His presence was not symbolic; he shared the same dangers as his crewmates.
In addition to combat duty, Major Gable was tasked with producing a recruiting and training film for aerial gunners, using his public recognition to strengthen the war effort. Adolf Hitler, an admirer of Gable’s films, reportedly placed a bounty on his capture, underscoring the unusual intersection of celebrity and warfare that surrounded his service.
Gable was honorably discharged on July 12, 1944, with his separation paperwork signed by then-Captain Ronald Reagan. He returned to Hollywood changed by both loss and war, resuming his acting career with renewed gravity and restraint.
Major William Clark Gable received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on February 8, 1960. He died later that year on November 16, 1960, at the age of 59. In recognition of his enduring cultural legacy, the U.S. Postal Service later issued a commemorative stamp featuring his iconic role as Rhett Butler in Gone with the Wind.
He is remembered not only as “The King of Hollywood,” but as a man who stepped away from fame when duty called and answered.
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About the Author
a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller traveling through life
She shares her journeys at Take the Back Roads, explores new reads at Rite of Fancy, and highlights U.S. military biographies at Everyday Patriot.
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