George H.W. Bush
George Bush Presidential Library and Museum
Born in Milton, Massachusetts, George H.W. Bush is one of the most well-known political figures in American history. He served as the 41st President of the United States of America, the 43rd Vice President of the United States of America (under Ronald Reagan), the 11th Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (although it was for only one year – 1976), and the 10th U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. But the reason he’s on this list is because of his valiant service in the U.S. Navy during World War II. At 19 years old, he became one of the youngest naval aviators in the entire Navy. By 1944 he had flown 58 combat missions. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross, three Air Medals, and the Presidential Unit Citation awarded to San Jacinto. He was honorably discharged in 1945 after Japan surrendered.