Fredericksburg in Gillespie County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
George H. W. Bush
Lieutenant (j.g.), U.S. Navy Reserve
— Service in the Pacific, 1943 1946 —
Photographed By James Hulse, December 2, 2021
1. George H. W. Bush Marker
On June 12, 1942, his 18th birthday and the day after he graduated from high school, George Bush enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserves. He received his Gold Wings in June 1943. At the time, he was the Navy's youngest aviator. Bush was assigned to Air Group 51 and served aboard the carrier USS SAN JACINTO. On September 2, 1944, Bush's plane was shot down over the Bonin Islands, an island group 600 miles south of Japan. His crew members were killed, but Bush was rescued by the submarine FINBACK. For his "courage and complete disregard for his own safety," Bush was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, as well as three Air Medals. Lieutenant (j.g.) Bush was honorably discharged on September 5, 1945.
George H. W. Bush - 41st President of the United States - 1989-1993
Captions
Lower Right: Lieutenant (j.g.) Bush in the cockpit of his TBM "Avenger"
Erected by National Museum of the Pacific War.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Military. In addition, it is
this page online
Location. 30° 16.366′ N, 98° 52.023′ W. Marker is in Fredericksburg, Texas, in Gillespie County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of East Austin Street and North Washington Street (U.S. 87). The marker is located outside the east entrance to the National Museum of the Pacific in the Plaza of the Presidents and there is no admission fee required for visiting the outside section of the museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 311 East Austin Street, Fredericksburg TX 78624, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Ronald Reagan (here, next to this marker); James E. Carter, Jr. (here, next to this marker); Gerald R. Ford (here, next to this marker); Richard M. Nixon (here, next to this marker); U.S.S. Franklin (CV-13) (a few steps from this marker); Dedicated to All Who Served Aboard the USS Steinaker DD/DDR-863 (a few steps from this marker); U.S.S. Ozbourn (DD 846) (a few steps from this marker); Patrol Squadron Forty-Four (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fredericksburg.
More about this marker. Ten consecutive presidents, spanning the years from 1941 to 1992, served in their country's armed forces
Photographed By James Hulse, December 2, 2021
2. The George H. W. Bush Marker is the first marker from the right of the ten markers
Also see . . . George H. W. Bush.
Bush flew his first combat mission in May 1944, bombing Japanese-held Wake Island, and was promoted to lieutenant (junior grade) on August 1, 1944. During an attack on a Japanese installation in Chichijima, Bush's aircraft successfully attacked several targets, but was downed by enemy fire. Source: Wikipedia(Submitted on January 26, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
Public Domain - U.S. Navy Photo, circa 1944
3. Lieutenant Bush in his Grumman TBF Avenger aboard USS San Jacinto in 1944
Public Domain - U.S. Government Photo, circa 1989
4. George H. W. Bush's presidential portrait
Credits. This page was last revised on January 26, 2022. It was originally submitted on January 25, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 147 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 26, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
