The youngest Navy pilots faced the worst odds—one of them became president

Bush’s Chichi Jima Shootdown and Kennebunkport Legacy

George Bush joined the Navy on his 18th birthday in 1942. Just one year later, he got his wings and became one of the Navy’s youngest pilots ever.

Then on September 2, 1944, his plane took enemy fire over Chichi Jima. With his aircraft in flames, Bush still hit his target before bailing out.

His two crewmates died that day. For four hours, he drifted alone in his yellow raft until submarine USS Finback saved him.

Bush went on to fly 58 combat missions and later made Walker’s Point in Kennebunkport his summer home. The Bush legacy lives on in this coastal Maine town where you can walk in a future president’s footsteps.

Navy Welcomed Bush on His 18th Birthday

George Bush joined the Navy on June 12, 1942, his 18th birthday. He signed up right after finishing high school at Phillips Academy.

The Pearl Harbor attack six months earlier pushed him to serve while still a teen. Bush spent ten months training at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

He wanted to become a Navy pilot despite his young age, showing the drive that marked his time in the military.

Teenage Pilot Earns His Wings

Bush got his Naval Aviator wings on June 9, 1943, just before turning 19. This made him one of the youngest pilots in Navy history.

He finished his carrier training at Naval Air Station Glenview in Illinois.

Bush showed his skills aboard USS Sable on Lake Michigan, completing eight takeoffs and landings in just three days. His quick learning of carrier operations caught the eye of his bosses.

San Jacinto Becomes His Floating Home

The Navy put Bush in Torpedo Squadron 51 in September 1943. He served on the USS San Jacinto, a light aircraft carrier in the Pacific.

Bush flew TBM Avenger torpedo bombers as pilot and photo officer. His flying skills earned him a promotion to Lieutenant Junior Grade on August 1, 1944.

The San Jacinto took part in more and more risky missions against Japanese forces.

Combat Missions Test His Flying Skills

Bush flew his first combat missions against Marcus and Wake Islands in spring 1944. He joined the Marianas campaign that June, facing tougher resistance.

During one mission, Bush had to land in the water and wait for a destroyer to pick him up. On another flight, his squadron flew through heavy antiaircraft fire.

Bush kept calm during these scary situations and gained useful experience with each mission.

Four Avengers Head to Chichi Jima

Bush led four Avenger bombers toward Chichi Jima on September 2, 1944. They aimed to hit a Japanese radio station on this well-guarded island about 600 miles from Tokyo.

Eight dive bombers and twelve Hellcat fighters came along as escorts. Bush knew the danger ahead—Chichi Jima had 25,000 Japanese troops with strong anti-aircraft guns.

His crew that day included radioman John Delaney and gunner Lieutenant William White.

Flames Engulf His Aircraft Mid-Mission

Antiaircraft fire hit Bush’s plane just as he started his bombing dive. Smoke filled the cockpit while flames spread across the wings toward the fuel tanks.

Bush felt the plane “lift” from the hit and feared it might blow up any second. Most pilots would have quit the run, but Bush kept his damaged plane diving toward the target.

The flames grew worse with each second as he focused on finishing his mission.

Bush Stays On Target Despite Burning Plane

Bush dropped all four 500-pound bombs on the radio station, hitting it directly. Only after seeing he’d hit the target did he turn his burning plane back over open water.

He told his crew to jump as the flames neared the fuel tanks. While jumping out, Bush hit his head on the plane’s tail and tore part of his parachute.

Sadly, he ended up the only survivor—one crewmate’s parachute failed to open, and the other went down with the plane.

Yellow Raft Becomes His Lifeline

For four hours, Bush floated alone in his bright yellow life raft. He threw up from seawater and shock while fearing Japanese troops might capture him.

Several Japanese boats tried to reach him, but American fighters swooped down and chased them away. Bush cried as he thought about home and wondered if he would live.

His rescue came when Lieutenant Commander Robert Williams on submarine USS Finback spotted the small yellow raft through his periscope.

Submarine Crew Pulls Him From Ocean

The USS Finback surfaced after looking for two hours, about seven miles from Chichi Jima. Torpedoman Don Kohler reached out and pulled the tired Bush aboard the submarine.

Bush spent the next 30 days on the Finback as it kept patrolling through enemy waters. During this time, he helped save four other downed pilots, giving back to the submarine crew that rescued him.

Depth Charges Shake His Underwater Sanctuary

Life aboard Finback gave Bush a new view of naval warfare.

The submarine tracked enemy ships, lived through scary depth charge attacks, and sank two Japanese vessels. Bush and other rescued pilots felt the tight, tense space of submarine warfare firsthand.

He earned the submarine combat pin during his month aboard, a rare honor for a pilot. On September 29, 1944, the Finback dropped Bush and other pilots at Midway Island to rejoin their units.

Future President Returns to His Coastal Retreat

Bush rejoined the San Jacinto in November 1944 and flew until he completed 58 combat missions. The Navy awarded him the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism and three Air Medals for his service.

In December 1944, they reassigned him to train new pilots until the war ended in September 1945. His family connection to Kennebunkport began when his great-grandfather bought Walker’s Point in 1902.

Bush purchased the estate himself in 1977 and later used it as his Summer White House during his presidency.

Visiting Kennebunkport Dock Square, Maine

You can learn about President Bush’s WWII naval service at the George H.W. Bush Gallery in White Columns at 8 Maine Street near Dock Square.

Adult admission is $20, with $15 for students and veterans, covering both the house tour and self-guided gallery exhibit. Buy tickets at the White Columns Gift Shop – no advance purchase needed.

Hours change weekly based on volunteer availability, so check kporths. com before visiting.

This article was created with AI assistance and human editing.

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