swampyankee
Chief Master Sergeant
- 3,954
- Jun 25, 2013
Former President of the US and WW2 USN aviator has passed away at 94.
RIP: George Herbert Walker Bush
- Thread starter swampyankee
- Start date
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mikewint
Captain
No matter your political leanings you've got to admire HW, if for nothing else his WWII war record. The youngest Naval aviator at that time. On September 2, 1944 piloting one of four Grumman TBM Avengers of VT-51 that attacked the Japanese installations on Chichijima. His plane was hit by anti-aircraft fire and his engine caught fire. Nonetheless he completed his bombing run and then flew out to sea several miles, luckily. Both he and his radioman bailed out but only Bush's parachute opened. He was rescued by an American sub while the crews of the other three Avengers (also shot down and bailed out but closer to the island) were captured by Japanese boats.
In perhaps one of the grizzliest atrocities of the war the other five crewmen captured by the Japanese were tortured and beheaded and later eaten by the Japanese commander and his top officers. Of the 8 men on that mission only HW survived
HW went on to fly 58 combat missions for which he received the Distinguished Flying Cross, three Air Medals, and the Presidential Unit Citation.
While the light fades from sight,
And the stars gleaming rays softly send,
To thy hands we our souls, Lord, commend.
In perhaps one of the grizzliest atrocities of the war the other five crewmen captured by the Japanese were tortured and beheaded and later eaten by the Japanese commander and his top officers. Of the 8 men on that mission only HW survived
HW went on to fly 58 combat missions for which he received the Distinguished Flying Cross, three Air Medals, and the Presidential Unit Citation.
While the light fades from sight,
And the stars gleaming rays softly send,
To thy hands we our souls, Lord, commend.
A4K
Brigadier General
For his WW2 service I will salute him. RIP. 
cherry blossom
Senior Airman
- 504
- Apr 23, 2007
There is an article at Fatal Mission, One of 58 attack missions, Naval Aviator Lieutenant (j.g.) George H. W. Bush - Soldier of Fortune Magazine giving some details.
RIP the last US President who fought in a war.
RIP the last US President who fought in a war.
Thorlifter
Captain
ARTESH
Chief Master Sergeant
Glider
Captain
I think this was very impressive
Donivanp
Captain
I served under him and Ronald Reagan. I served under Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton. When I retired (Under Bill Clinton) I asked if my retirement certificat could be sent back to be singed by Ronald Reagan or George Bush, They would not do it. So now it hides in the bottom of the closet.
mikewint
Captain
My "Thank You for your Service" letter is/was signed by Nixon....
Mine never came. All I got was a DD214 in octoplicate. And no, I wasn't a BCD!
michaelmaltby
Colonel
... his loyal service dog
vikingBerserker
Lieutenant General
Blue skies...…...
Greg Boeser
1st Sergeant
I salute him as a war hero and my former Commander-in-Chief.
at6
1st Sergeant
The loss of a truly great patriot. there will never again be a generation as great as his was.
