Raymond, Gene, Col

From AFHRA:

When Nazi Germany invaded Poland in 1939, Gene Raymond became convinced that the U.S. would someday be drawn into the war. At his own expense, he took flying lessons to become a pilot, and following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, he interrupted his motion picture career and accepted a commission as a first lieutenant. He initially flew as an observer in B-17s on anti-sub patrol off the Atlantic coast. Next, he attended intelligence school, and following graduation, he was sent to England in July 1942 and assigned to the 97th Bomb Group. He was soon promoted to Assistant Operations Officer in the 8th Bomber Command.

In 1943 he returned to the states and flew B-17s, B-25s, B-26s and P-39s. Following the termination of hostilities, he was released from active duty as a major on Oct. 22, 1945.

Raymond remained in the USAF Reserve following World War II. On Aug. 13, 1968, after having logged more than 5,000 hours and having been awarded his command pilot wings, he retired from the USAF Reserve as a colonel.
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Source:
www.imdb.com/name/nm0713270/bio

Gene Raymond was born on August 13th, 1908 in New York City, as Raymond Guion. He was a child performer and a Broadway veteran by the age of 12. Gene a blond, husky, handsome actor had his greatest popularity in the 30s and early 40s. His big break came in Personal Maid (1931). He was soon cast in classic like Red Dust (1932) opposite Jean Harlow and Clark Gable and in Ex-Lady (1933) as Bette Davis ' husband. He was known around Hollywood as being a dependable leading man and an all-around great guy, with an almost pretty face and a pleasant singing voice. Raymond's career continued to grow with a starring role in Sadie McKee (1934) opposite Joan Crawford. Soon after he met and fell in love with MGM's star, the beautiful red-headed singer and actress Jeanette MacDonald. They married in 1937, after MacDonald completed her third of eight movies with, Nelson Eddy. Her fans may have wanted her to marry Nelson Eddy but it was Gene who stole her heart and she his. In 1941, he and Jeanette were cast opposite one another in Smilin' Through (1941) - their only picture together, and a picture they both treasured.

In 1948, Gene tried his hand at directing and producing Million Dollar Weekend (1948), but unfortunately it wasn't very successful. In 1949, he and Jeanette decided to slow down their careers - Jeanette left the movies, and he became very selective on the ones he did. They spent the next 14 years traveling together, and staying active in Hollywood society.

In 1963, Jeanette, who had a weak heart, had an arterial transplant, and Gene tried to nurse her back to health. In 1965, she had a heart attack and died with Gene by her side. This brought an end to their 28-year marriage, one of Hollywood's longest-lasting. Every year after her death, he attended the Jeanette MacDonald International Fan Club convention in Los Angeles. He shared stories with her fans and friends - a thing he once said he would "do till Jeanette and I are together again".

Filmography

Director:

1. "Fireside Theatre" (1949) TV series (unknown episodes)
2. Million Dollar Weekend (1948)