Having faced the challenges of World War II and explored the expanses of outer space, James Doohan inspired many to embark on engineering careers. His brave exploits motivated many, with one individual even following his example by journeying to the moon. Despite not being Scottish, he retained a distinctive accent, and he remains one of the most celebrated military veterans to seamlessly transition into the realm of television.
James Doohan’s entry into the Canadian Army
James Montgomery “Jimmy” Doohan was born to Irish immigrants on March 3, 1920, in Vancouver, British Columbia. His dad, William, a pharmacist, may have potentially invented a form of high-octane gas in 1923. Regardless of the veracity of this claim, Doohan’s upbringing was steeped in exposure to science and inventive thinking.
Following his family’s relocation to Ontario, Doohan attended the Collegiate Institute and Technical School in Sarnia, showcasing an aptitude for mathematics and science. In 1938, he joined the 102nd Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps, before transitioning to the Royal Canadian Artillery, 14th (Midland) Field Battery, 2nd Canadian Infantry Division.
Demonstrating exceptional skills, Doohan earned a commission as a lieutenant with the 22nd Field Battery, 13th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Canadian Infantry Division, and subsequently underwent training in England.
Preparing to land at Juno Beach
Fast forward to D-Day on June 6, 1944. The British, American and Canadian forces were assigned specific sections of Normandy’s beaches for their amphibious assaults. The Canadians were designated Juno Beach, the codename for the stretch from the village of Courseulles-sur-Mer to Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer.
James Doohan’s division had the mission of advancing west of Caen, a task laden with challenges. They confronted two battalions of the German 716. Infanterie-Division, and there were also entrenched troops from the 21st Panzer Division near Caen. Adding to the difficulty, the beaches were laced with anti-tank mines.
On the night prior, Allied aircraft had pounded German positions. The plan was for the Canadians to land before dawn, shrouded in darkness, thanks to the assumption that the aerial bombardment had sufficiently obscured them. However, this plan faltered as the pre-emptive airstrike proved less effective than anticipated due to the adverse weather and poor visibility. Consequently, the coastal defenses along Juno Beach remained largely intact.
James Doohan took out two German snipers on D-Day
It got worse. Rough weather and high waves delayed the landings until well after the sun had risen on June 6, 1944. Out at sea, James Doohan felt queasy, but it wasn’t because of what lay ahead. He later told the Associated Press, “We were more afraid of drowning than [we were of] the Germans.”
Once the risk of drowning was behind them, what lay ahead for the Canadians proved to be much worse. The first group reached Juno Beach at 7:35 AM and were quickly cut down.
Fortunately for them, the light cruiser HMS Ajax (22) had bombarded Juno Beach earlier, doing more damage to the coastal defenses than the aircraft had. After two hours, the Canadians had swept aside most of the Germans along their stretch of the beach. Doohan led his men across the sands and got lucky, as none of the anti-tank mines went off, as the men weren’t heavy enough to activate them.
As they made their way to higher ground, Doohan shot two German snipers – his first kills of the war. By noon, they’d secured their positions. However, they now had a new problem. The beach was so thick with Canadians that the later arrivals couldn’t advance. As darkness fell, there was a risk they’d mistake comrades for the enemy and end up shooting at each other.
This was exactly what happened, not only at Juno Beach, but at the other landing beaches.
James Doohan suffered six bullet wounds
At around 11:20 PM, James Doohan finished a cigarette and patted the case he kept in his shirt pocket. It had been given to him by his brother as a good luck charm – and a good thing, too. Some 10 minutes later, he was walking back to his command post when he was shot six times with a Bren light machine gun. The first four bullets slammed into his leg, the fifth struck him in the chest and the sixth took off his right middle finger.
The shooter was not a German sniper. In fact, Doohan had been shot by a nervous, trigger-happy Canadian sentry. Fortunately, the cigarette case had stopped the bullet that hit his chest. Doohan later joked it was the only time being a smoker saved his life.
‘Craziest pilot in the Canadian Air Force’
After recovering from his injuries, James Doohan learned to fly a Taylorcraft Auster Mark IV for the No. 666 Squadron RAF. By this point, he was an officer in the Royal Canadian Artillery, supporting the 1st Army Group Royal Artillery at RAF Andover, Hampshire.
In early 1945, Doohan flew his aircraft between two telegraph poles, just to prove it could be done. He got in trouble for that, and everyone called him the “craziest pilot in the Canadian Air Force.”
James Doohan goes from the Canadian Army to outer space
After the Second World War, James Doohan returned to Canada. Upon hearing a radio drama, he believed he could do a better job than the voice actors featured and switched his focus of study from technical schooling to drama. His first job was with CBC radio. He ultimately went on to do 4,000 shows on radio and 450 on television, earning a reputation as the most versatile voice actor in the business.
In 1965, Doohan was assured of a place in film history when he landed – and helped develop – the role of Montgomery “Scotty” Scott in Star Trek. In addition to playing the role of chief engineer for the starship Enterprise, Doohan also helped create the Klingon and Vulcan languages for the show.
Doohan became so iconic that fans credited him with their interest in engineering, astronomy and other technical fields. Among these was the engineer-turned-astronaut Neil Armstrong, who personally thanked Doohan in 2004.
More from us: Star Trek Creator Gene Roddenberry Faced Death Twice While In the US Army Air Forces
Doohan died in 2005. To honor him, a Falcon 9 launch vehicle took some of his ashes into space. Two years later, the Scottish town of Linlithgow claimed him as one of their own with a predictive commemorative plaque. “Predictive” because it claims he will be born there on 2222.
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