His first combat was the invasion of Normandy at Juno Beach on D-Day. Shooting two snipers, Doohan led his men to higher ground through a field of anti-tank mines, where they took defensive positions for the night. Crossing between command posts at 11:30 that night, Doohan was hit by six rounds fired from a Bren gun by a nervous Canadian sentry: four in his leg, one in the chest, and one through his right middle finger. The bullet to his chest was stopped by a silver cigarette case. His right middle finger had to be amputated, something he would conceal during his career as an actor. 



James Doohan at Juno Beach 

A Typhoon of 439 Squadron lands at its newly-acquired base in Belgium. This Aircraft, RB402, was the fourth Typhoon to wear the code 5V-P. The first three were either shot down or replaced by newer models.

439 Squadron RCAF Typhoon

Members of the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada enjoy a smoke on May 5, 1945, in front of a sign that draws attention to the war in the Pacific.