Happy (belated) Birthday Captain Clark Gable, USAAF

Yesterday (February 1st) was Clark Gable's 114th bday (thanks wikipedia).  When I heard this, I remembered I had recently found some documents related to Gable's service during WW2 while performing research at the National Archives facility in College Park, MD.   He was in the US Army Air Force.

One of the records I located was a memo to Hap Arnold dealing with Gable's assignment to Flexible Gunnery School in the autumn of 1942, and the AAF's desire to restrict any publicity surrounding the notable officer.

From NARA RG18 (USAAF) entry 291 (Index Sheets - AAF Officers).

After completing a series of combat flights in Europe (and earned a DFC), he returned to the US and transferred to a unit designated as Headquarters First Motion Picture Unit, AAF Motion Picture Branch; stationed at Culver City, in Los Angeles County, California.  He was back in Hollywood.

In March 1943, Lt Gable was requesting equipment for motion picture work from the supply service.

From NARA RG18 (USAAF) entry 291 (Index Sheets - AAF Officers)

Despite his popularity, and willingness to serve overseas, Gable wasn't always appreciated.  This memo shows that a letter from "A Buck Private" in New York indicated he felt that Gable's promotion (to Captain) was unfair.  

From NARA RG18 (USAAF) entry 291 (Index Sheets - AAF Officers)

A memo from 29 October 1943 from Louis B. Mayer (of MGM!) to Hap Arnold shows Mayer's desire to have Gable working at his studio.

From NARA RG18 (USAAF) entry 291 (Index Sheets - AAF Officers)

Captain Gable worked in the Motion Picture unit with other Hollywood residents and fellow motion-picture industry employees, including 1st Lt. Howard M. Voss (a studio sound-engineer).  Gable recommended him for a promotion in December 1943.

From NARA RG18 (USAAF) entry 291 (Index Sheets - AAF Officers)

Captain Gable also used his celebrity to promote the war effort by engaging in public speaking.  In May 1944 he spoke at the Motion Picture Alliance for the Preservation for American Ideals, where he was quoted as using the adage, "....there are no atheists in foxholes."

From NARA RG18 (USAAF) entry 291 (Index Sheets - AAF Officers).

I offer no analysis of these records, but merely share them as I found them.  Hopefully these few documents will add a small amount of new data to the record of Gable's service in WW2.