Ronald W. Reagan
U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) liaison officer during World War II
40th President of the United States 1981–1989

Background
Ronald Wilson Reagan was born February 6, 1911 to parents John Edward “Jack” Reagan and Nelle Clyde “Nellie” Wilson Reagan in Tampico, Illinois. Enrolled in Eureak College class of 1932 and graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in economics and sociology. He began working in Davenport, Iowa as a sports broadcaster then WHO radio in Des Moines as a broadcaster for the Chicago Cubs. In 1936, with the Cubs in California, he took a screen test and signed a seven year contract with Warner Brothers.

Wartime History
In April 1937, Reagan enlisted in the U.S. Army with the rank of private and was assigned to the 322nd Cavalry Regiment. He was transfered to the Officer Reserve Corps and commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. During 1937, moved to Hollywood and made his acting debut in Love is on the Air (1937) playing Andy McCaine a radio announcer. While acting in the movie Kings Row (1942) he was called to active duty but movie studio lawyers sent draft deferments to allow him to complete the film before allowing him to serve in April 1942.

His first assignment was at Fort Mason as a liaison officer and transfered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF). Reagan became an AAF public relations officer and was subsequently assigned to the 18th Army Air Force (18th AAF) Base Unit in Culver City and performed as an actor for the Provisional Task Force Show Unit in Burbank. During the war, Reagan was an actor in 400 instructional films including Recognition of the Japanese Zero Fighter (1943). Meanwhile, he continued to act in Hollywood movies including This Is The Army (1943). He had temporary duty in New York and participated in the Sixth War Loan Drive then was assigned to Fort MacArthur in San Pedro and was promoted to the rank of Captain. On December 9, 1945 discharged ending his military service.


Became the 40th President of the United States (POTUS) January 20, 1981–January 20, 1989.

References
The White House - Ronald Reagan
NARA Recognition of the Japanese Zero Fighter, 1943 ARC Identifier 5686522
YouTube - Recognition of the Japanese Zero Fighter (1943) features actor Ronald Reagan as Lt. Jimmy Saunders, a P-40 fighter pilot
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
FindAGrave - Ronald Wilson Reagan (photo, grave photos)

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