"Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Lt. Reagan interrupted his acting career and went active duty. This was not achieved without some difficulty because when he took his physical exam, he was not accepted for active duty due to eyesight difficulties. His persistence finally triumphed and he was given another exam which he passed. He was classified for limited service only, which permanently denied him his ambition of serving overseas. His first assignment was at the San Francisco Port of Embarkation, Fort Mason, CA, as Liaison Officer of the Port and Transportation Office.
During this time, the Army Air Force and Warner Brothers Studios were planning a feature motion picture to be entitled "Air Force" and wanted Lt. Reagan for the leading role, so on May 15, 1942, he applied for transfer from the Cavalry to the AAF. The transfer was approved and Lt. Reagan was assigned to AAF Public Relations as P.R. Officer in Burbank, CA and subsequently to the 1st Motion Picture Unit in Culver City.
Lt. Reagan was promoted to First Lieutenant, Jan. 14, 1943, and was sent to the Provisional Task Force Show Unit of "This is the Army" at Burbank. Following this duty, he returned to the 1st Motion Picture Unit and on Jul. 22, 1943, was promoted to Captain. Capt Reagan left Active Duty on December 9, 1945. His commission in the Officer's Reserve Corps ended on April 1, 1953."
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