Bush was one of 10 presidents who served in WWII (FDR, Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush), five of whom were sailors (Kennedy, Nixon, Ford, Carter, Bush).
In comparison, eight presidents served in the Civil War (Lincoln, Johnson, Grant, Hayes, Garfield, Arthur, Harrison, McKinley) and five served om the Revolution (Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, Jackson). None of the presidents who served in these earlier wars were sailors.
FDR had polio and was not fit for service in the military. He did serve as Sec. Navy in WWI
Truman served in WWI - National Guard.
Bush library/museum in college station, Tx is impressive.
Indeed. FDR was never actually in the Armed Forces. But he was Secretary of the Navy. And during most of WWII he was Commander In Chief.
Truman was a WWI veteran. Following the Great War he transferred to and took an active role in the reserves. He volunteered for WWII service but had to content himself with service as an elected official and eventually Commander In Chief.
Jimmy Carter was a Midshipman at the US Naval Academy during WWII. USNA Midshipmen are in an active duty status. And in those days, they were part of the United States Navy vice their NROTC counterparts who were in the Unites States Navy Reserve. So I stand corrected. Carter is our only remaining President to have served in WWII.
The days of Presidents having wartime service are slowly fading away. This is more of a loss to the country than many realize.