Bill Wellman first earned the nickname Wild Bill as a decorated pilot during WWI. The name stuck in Hollywood.  He directed the first ever Academy Best Picture Film (Wings 1927) and won the Academy award for Best Writing (Original Story) for A Star is Born (1937) which he also directed. He directed favorite actress Barbara Stanwyck in 5 films and Jack Oakie in 4 films, including some of their best lifetime work.