George H. W. Bush
U.S. Navy (USN) TBM Avenger Pilot
41st U.S. President of the United States (POTUS) 1989–1993

Background
George Herbert Walker Bush was born June 12, 1924 to parents Prescott Bush and Dorothy (Walker) Bush in Milton, MA. He attended Greenwich Country Day School class 1929–1937 then Phillips Academy 1937–1942. As a senior, Bush considered enlisting in the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) because they accepted younger men but instead would enlist in the U.S. Navy four days after graduation.

Wartime History
On June 12, 1942 joins the U.S. Navy (USN) with serial number 173464 on his 18th birthday, four days after graduating high school. Trained as a Naval aviator cadet, he completed preflight school then primary flight training. On December 15, 1942 took off piloting N2S-3 Stearman 07103 on his first solo flight. When he earned his wings he became the youngest Naval aviator. Commissioned with the rank of Ensign, Bush completed advanced flight training at NAS Fort Lauderdale flying the TBF/TBM Avenger torpedo bomber. In December 1943, he proposed to Barbara.


In January 1944 assigned to Torpedo Squadron 51 (VT-51) aboard USS San Jacinto (CVL-30). In late May 1944, his squadron began flying combat missions in the Pacific. On June 19, 1944 he participated in the Battle of the Philippine Sea (Great Marianas Turkey Shoot). His regular gunner was Leo Nadeau. On August 1, 1944 promoted to the rank of Lieutenant (Junior Grade).


Mission History
On September 2, 1944 took off piloting TBM Avenger 46214 as one of four Avengers on a bombing mission against against a radio installation on Chi Chi Jima (Father Island) in the Bonin Islands (Ogasawara Islands) off Japan. Over the target, hit by anti-aircraft fire and damaged. Flying eastward over the sea, Bush bailed out. His two crew went were lost and remain listed as Missing In Action (MIA). Bush bailed out successfully and landed in the sea unhurt and deployed his life raft.

Rescue
Sole survivor Bush was spotted by friendly fighters that circled him to provide air cover. Four hours later, USS Finback (SS-230) on lifeguard duty arrived and crew members including Torpedoman First Class Donnet Kohler helped him aboard in documented by an 8mm movie camera. For the remainder of the month, Bush was a passenger aboard the submarine while it continued to patrol and serve on lifeguard duty to rescue other pilots. In total, Bush logged 1,228 hours of flight time including 126 carrier landings and 58 combat missions and was honorably discharged in September 1945 at the end of the Pacific War.


Awards
Bush earned the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) for his actions on September 2, 1944. He also earned the Air Medal with two gold stars. Torpedo Squadron 51 (VT-51) earned the Presidential Unit Citation.

Postwar
On January 5, 1945 while on leave from the Navy, he married Barbara and the couple would have a total of six children: George W. Bush born 1946, future 43rd President of the United States), Robin born 1949 who died 1953, Jeb born 1953, Neil born 1955, Marvin born 1956 and Doro born 1959.

Bush later became the 41st U.S. President of the United States (POTUS) in office January 20, 1989–January 20, 1993. Bush is the last World War II veteran to become president. In 1989, he attended the funeral of Emperor Hirohito and was President during the 50th anniversary commemorations of the conflict.

In 2002, he traveled to Chi Chi Jima that aired as a television documentary that aired on CNN "A Flyboy's Story: George Bush in World War II". During his visit, he toured the wreckage of the radio station he bombed and met a former Japanese soldier Nobuaki "Warren" Iwatake who was stationed on the island and befriended a captured U.S. pilot. He also took a boat to the approximate area where he bailed out and landed in the sea until he was rescued. Bush said the trip helped relieve some of the thoughts and guilt he held and expressed his regret for loosing his two crew: John Delaney and Ted White. During the visit, he laid two wreaths on the sea in honor of each man.

In 2009 aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) was named in his honor,  the USN's 10th Nimitz-class aircraft carrier in service.

Memorials
On November 30, 2018 Bush passed away at aged 94. He is buried at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum in College Station, TX.

References
"The Slipstream Mark IV Edition" Ens. George H. W. Bush Aviation Cadet Class page 140 (second row 7th from left)
USN Air Medal Citation "for the fifth flight during the period of 23 May to 15 June 1944."
USN Air Medal Gold Star Citation "for the tenth flight during the period 16 June to 28 June 1944."
USN Air Medal 2nd Gold Star Citation "for the fifteenth flight during the period of 30 June to 25 July 1944."
USN Distinguished Flying Cross Citation "For extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flights in line of his profession as pilot of a torpedo plane during attacks by United States Naval Forces against Japanese installations in the vicinity of Bonin Islands on 2 September 1944. He led one section of four planes division which attacked a radio station. Opposed by intense anti-aircraft fire, his plane was hit and set afire as he commenced his dive. In spite of smoke and flames from the fire in his plane, he continued in his dive and scored damaging bomb hits on the radio station, before bailing out of his plane. His courage and complete disregard for his own safety, both in pressing home his attack in the face of intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire, and in continuing in his dive on the target after being hit and his plane on fire contributed materially to the success of the squadron in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Navy service."
George H. W. Bush Presidential Library & Museum - George H. W. Bush Biography - World War II
Naval History and Heritage Command "Navy History and Heritage Command - Vice President Bush Calls World War II Experience Sobering" via Naval Aviation News 67 March-April 1985
Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) - George Herbert Walker Bush
Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) - George H. W. Bush (photos)
Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) - George Bush In World War II: A Short Bibliography
Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) - Lt. George Bush's Distinguished Flying Cross Citation
"For heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight as Pilot of a Torpedo Plane in Torpedo Squadron FIFTY ONE, attached to the U.S.S. San Jacinto, in action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of the Bonin Islands, on September 2, 1944. Leading one section of a four-plane division in a strike against a radio station, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Bush pressed home an attack in the face of intense antiaircraft fire. Although his plane was hit and set afire at the beginning of his dive, he continued his plunge toward the target and succeeded in scoring damaging bomb hits before bailing out of the craft. His courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Reserve."
Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) - H-Gram 035: Lieutenant (j.g.) George H. W. Bush Shot Down September 6, 2019
CNN "A Flyboy's Story: George Bush in World War II" George H. W. Bush travels to Chi Chi Jima 2002
FindAGrave - George Herbert Walker Bush (photos, grave photos)
YouTube "U.S. Navy – President George H.W. Bush's Naval Service" December 3, 2018
The White House - George H. W. Bush

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