Craig Baird
A
thread 1/8
James Doohan was born on this day in 1920 in Vancouver.

While he is famous for his role as Scotty on Star Trek, his service with the Canadian military during the Second World War is quite the story.

So, let's learn more.

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09:05 AM - Mar 03, 2024
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Craig Baird
A
thread 2/8
James Doohan enlisted in 1939 with the Royal Canadian Infantry and eventually found himself with the Canadian Third Infantry Division of the 22nd Field Battery.

By the time he was sent to Britain, he was a lieutenant. He first saw combat as part of the second wave at Juno Beach on D-Day.

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09:05 AM - Mar 03, 2024
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Craig Baird
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thread 3/8
Doohan shot two German snipers and then led his men through anti-tank mines to higher ground where they took a defensive position and settled in for the night.

While crossing between command posts at 11:30 p.m., Doohan was shot six times.

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09:05 AM - Mar 03, 2024
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Craig Baird
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thread 4/8
Four bullets hit his leg, one blew off his right middle finger and the sixth hit him in the chest. A silver cigarette case given to him by his brother saved his life.

It is sometimes reported he was shot by Germans. In actuality, it is believed it was friendly fire from a nervous sentry.

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09:05 AM - Mar 03, 2024
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Craig Baird
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thread 5/8
After he recovered, Doohan took the Air Observation Pilot Course and started flying a Taylorcraft AUster Mark V aircraft for the 666 Squadron of the RCAF.

He was never an official member of the RCAF but he was called the craziest pilot in the Canadian Air Force.

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09:05 AM - Mar 03, 2024
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Craig Baird
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thread 6/8
According to legend, in the spring of 1945 on the Salisbury Plain, he slalomed a plane between telegraph poles just to prove he could do it.

After the war, Doohan came back to Canada and started doing voice work.

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09:05 AM - Mar 03, 2024
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Craig Baird
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thread 7/8
He enrolled at the Lorne Green Academy of Radio Arts in Toronto and then moved to New York City where he became friends with Tony Randall, Richard Boone and fellow Canadian, Leslie Nielsen.

In 1966, he gained the role of Scotty on Star Trek.
The rest they say....is history.

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09:05 AM - Mar 03, 2024
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Craig Baird
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thread 8/8
If you enjoy my Canadian history content, you can support my work with a donation at https://www.buymeacoffee.c...

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09:05 AM - Mar 03, 2024
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