He was drafted into the army but was underweight for his height so he was rejected.
He worked to put on weight and then he applied to the Air Force and was accepted.
He had a civilian Pilot's license so he ended up believe it or not, flying combat missions during World War 2.
He was a MAJOR GENERAL and was promotd to BRIGADIER GENERAL July 23, 1959 because he was in the Reserve
He retired from that May 31, 1968
He died in 1997.
No scandal was ever attached to him.
A good man was what he played on screen and a good man was what he actually was in real life. How about that?