thumb|upright=1.2|Gable with an 8th Air Force Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress in England, 1943 On August 12, 1942, following Lombard's death and his completion of the film Somewhere I'll Find You, Gable joined the United States Army, under the Army Air Forces. Lombard had suggested that Gable enlist as part of the war effort, but MGM was reluctant to let him go. Commanding General of the U.S. Army Air Forces Henry H. "Hap" Arnold offered Gable a "special assignment" with the First Motion Picture Unit following basic training. The Washington Star reported that Gable took a physical examination at Bolling Field on June 19, preliminary to joining the service.
thumb|upright=12|gable with an 8th air force boeing b-17 flying fortress in england 1943 on august 12 1942 following lombard's death and his completion of the film somewhere i'll find you gable joined the united states army under the army air forces lombard had suggested that gable enlist as part of the war effort but mgm was reluctant to let him go commanding general of the us army air forces henry h "hap" arnold offered gable a "special assignment" with the first motion picture unit following basic training the washington star reported that gable took a physical examination at bolling field on june 19 preliminary to joining the service