On September 2, 1944, future President George H.W. Bush found himself in a harrowing situation off the coast of Chichijima, a Japanese island. As a pilot with Torpedo Squadron Fifty-One aboard the USS San Jacinto, Bush was on a bombing mission when his aircraft was shot down by enemy fire, making him the sole survivor, according to the National WWII Museum.
Despite his plane being set ablaze, Bush managed to release his bombs and return towards the aircraft carrier before bailing out over the water. Miraculously, he parachuted safely into the ocean. Two of his crew members unfortunately did not survive.
For several hours, the 20-year-old naval aviator waited in the water until he was rescued by the USS Finback, a lifeguard submarine. The sailors onboard pulled him to safety, and his first words upon being rescued were, “Happy to be aboard.”
Bush later reflected on this experience as one of the most dramatic moments of his life. Spending a month on the submarine, he gained a sobering understanding of the realities of war and peace. The incident broadened his horizons and gave him a newfound appreciation for the sacrifices made in times of conflict. For his bravery in action, Bush was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.
George H.W. Bush, born on June 12, 1924, in Milton, Massachusetts, came from a family dedicated to public service. He enlisted in the U.S. Armed Forces on his 18th birthday and served as the youngest pilot in the Navy during World War II, completing 58 combat missions.
Before serving as vice president under Ronald Reagan from 1981 to 1989, President Bush held various senior-level positions, including U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Chairman of the Republican National Committee, chief of the U.S. Liaison Office in China, and director of the Central Intelligence Agency.
Bush’s life was marked by his commitment to education, raising a family, and his service to the nation. He married Barbara Pierce in January 1945, and together they had six children.
On November 30, 2018, George H.W. Bush passed away at the age of 94. His legacy as the 41st president of the United States, as well as his remarkable feat of survival during World War II, will forever be remembered.
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