How a habit saved James Doohan’s life during the war

James Doohan served in the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division

Before he was known for playing Montgomery “Scotty” Scott on Star Trek: The Original Series, James Doohan spent more than five years serving in the military during World War II. He enlisted in the Canadian army in 1939 when Canada officially entered the war. Doohan was only nineteen and didn’t see much action at first, but all of that changed on D-Day.

According to details outlined in Star Trek: A Celebration by Ben Robinson and Ian Spelling, Doohan was embroiled in combat on Juno Beach during the Normandy landings on June 6, 1944. Only twenty-four, he was shot six times while fighting with his fellow soldiers. Four bullets tore through his leg, and one damaged the middle finger of his right hand so badly that it had to be amputated. Another hit him directly in the chest, but, a silver cigarette case, which was a gift from his brother, stopped the bullet and saved Doohan’s life.Had he not have been a smoker, we wouldn’t have ever gotten the chance to meet Scotty. Doohan later said that smoking had saved his life.

James Doohan was a war hero long before he was an actor

After he recovered from his wounds, Doohan continued serving in the army as a pilot/flying observer. He helped take photographs of enemy positions and targeted artillery fire from high in the sky. It wasn’t until he was thirty years old when Doohan made his first appearance as an actor in Actor’s Studio in 1950.

Doohan’s career as an actor continued for over five decades, but it was his role as Scotty for which he is remembered the most. Though a supporting character, he made his mark with scenes that stand out as some of the best in movies like Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home. His time aboard the Enterprise made him a hero to fans, inspiring many of them to pursue degrees in the engineering field. But Doohan’s service in the army made him a hero to all.