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🇺🇸 Most Badass Presidents: Combat Veteran Edition #9 George H.W. Bush George H.W. Bush, our 41st President, was one badass President. He was shot down by Japanese fire, bailed out of his burning plane, and floated alone in the Pacific until rescued by a submarine. Born June 12, 1924, in Milton, Massachusetts. On his 18th birthday Bush enlisted in the Navy. He completed preflight training at UNC Chapel Hill and became the youngest naval aviator in the fleet at the time. He flew the TBM Avenger torpedo bomber off the light carrier USS San Jacinto in Torpedo Squadron VT-51. Bush flew 58 combat missions across the Pacific. He named his aircraft Barbara after his high school sweetheart. There would be three of them by the time the war was over. In June 1944, Bush was flying an unnamed temporary plane. It suffered engine failure. He made a forced water landing and he and his crew were rescued by the destroyer USS Clarence K. Bronson. In August 1944, Barbara I suffered catastrophic engine failure. He had to turn back and make an emergency carrier landing. Then on September 2, 1944, flying Barbara II, his squadron attacked a radio tower on the heavily defended island of Chichi Jima. Bush dove straight into intense anti aircraft fire. His plane was hit hard and the engine burst into flames. Smoke filled the cockpit but Bush stayed on target, released his bombs, and scored direct hits. He then flew the burning Avenger several miles out to sea. He ordered his crew to bail out. One crewman’s parachute failed to open. The other went down with the plane. Bush bailed out around 2,000 ft. His head grazed the tail wing and left a large bleeding gash above his eye. In a panic, he pulled his ripcord early, causing the parachute to snag on the tail section and tear. He hit the water hard. He inflated his raft and floated alone for hours, vomiting from a concussion and bleeding down his face. Squadron mates strafed Japanese boats that tried reaching him. The submarine USS Finback spotted him and pulled him to safety. He returned to action in November 1944 with Barbara III and participated in operations in the Philippines. His squadron suffered nearly 50 percent casualties among its pilots. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, three Air Medals, and the Presidential Unit Citation for his combat service. He was honorably discharged in 1945 and entered Yale University. Four years after meeting at a Christmas dance, George married Barbara. They would be together for 73 more years. He flew for the Republic in the Pacific long before he ever stepped foot in the White House. Thank you, Mr. President! 🇺🇸🫡