It’s been 23 years since the legendary Hollywood star James Stewart passed away, yet he is still remembered today for his roles in such classic movies as It’s A Wonderful Life. What many fans likely don’t know about Stewart is that his beloved stepson who he raised as his own was killed in the Vietnam War.

Ronald McLean, the son of Stewart’s wife Gloria, was killed while serving his country in Vietnam in 1969. He was posthumously awarded a Purple Heart and a Silver Star for valiantly giving his life for his nation.

In a 1982 interview with “Good Morning America,” Stewart became emotional as he talked about his stepson’s death.

“I don’t think there’s a day goes that I don’t think, think of Ron,” he said. “He didn’t want to be drafted. He wanted to be a Marine. And I, and I encouraged it. I thought it was wonderful. He wanted to serve his country … I don’t think it’s a tragedy. It’s a loss… I don’t know … it’s a terrible, terrible loss, but tragic, no. He died for his country.”

UPI reported that Stewart reportedly became so overcome with emotion at that point that he could no longer continue the interview.

Stewart was a veteran himself who served his country during World War II. He enlisted in the military right after he won an Academy Award, as he was willing to sacrifice his lucrative Hollywood career to do his part to help America win that war. After World War II, Stewart battled post-traumatic stress disorder as many veterans do, but he was able to overcome it and resume his career in Hollywood.

Stewart married Gloria in 1949, and he became a devoted stepfather to her two young sons from a previous marriage. They would go on to add twin daughters to their family as well in 1951.

Stewart and Gloria were married for 44 wonderful years before she died in 1994 at the age of 75, leaving her husband devastated.

“I’m devastated,” he said at the time. “I don’t know how I’m going to live without her. The only consolation is knowing that we will soon be reunited.”

Stewart disappeared from the public eye completely after Gloria’s death, spending his final years seeking privacy. He was reunited with her in 1997, when he died at the age of 89.