George Herbert Walker Bush is known primarily for his service as 41st President of the United States.
To Maine, however, Bush is also remembered as an outstanding first baseman for the Kennebunkport Collegians and captain of the Yale baseball team.
his introduction into the Maine Baseball Hall of Fame recognizes a distinguished career that includes athletics, World War II duty as a Navy pilot and two terms as Vice President.
Born in Milton, Mass., Bush graduated from Phillips Academy, Andover, Mass., on his 18th birthday June 12, 1942. The same day he enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a Seaman 2nd Class.
Bush completed flight training and was awarded his wings and commission in June, 1943. Still only 18, he was then the Navy's youngest pilot.
During World War Il, Bush flew torpedo bombers off the USS San Jacinto. On Sept. 2, 1944, his plane was hit by anti-aircraft fire while making a bombing run over the Ronin Island of Chichi Jima, 600 miles south of Japan.
Although the plane was afire and severely damaged, he completed his strafing run on the Japanese installation before flying toward the sea.
re was able to bail out successfully and was rescued by a Navy Submarine, the USS Finback.
For his service in the Pacific Theater, Bush was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and three air medals.
After the war, Bush enrolled at Yale University, where he studied economics and served as captain of the varsity baseball team. He played in two NCAA World Series, won the Gordon Brown Prize for “all-around” Student leadership and was graduated Phi Beta Kappa in 1948.
Following graduation, he moved to Texas.
in 1954, at the age of 30, he became co founder and president of Zapata Off-Shore, a firm that was a pioneer in experimental offshore drilling equipment.
His political career began in 1964 when Bush ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate. Two years later, he was elected to the U.S. House of representatives from Texas’ 7th District.
One of the few freshman members of Congress ever elected to serve on the Ways and Means Committee, he was re-elected to the House in 1968 without opposition.
But he lost a second campaign for the Senate in 1970.
During the 1970's, Bush held a number of important leadership positions. in 1971, he was named U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. He served there until 1973, when he became chairman of the republican National Committee.
He was appointed Director of Central Intelligence in 1976, two years later serving as Chief of the U.S. Liaison Office in Peking.
in 1980, Ronald Reagan selected Bush as his running mate in the presidential campaign. After two terms as Vice President, Bush became the Republican nominee and was elected President in 1988.
Bush and his wife, the former Barbara Pierce of Rye, N.Y., whom he married on Jan. 6, 1945, live in Houston and also spend much time at Kennebunkport. They are the parents of five children and 13 grandchildren.
Bush is currently on the board of the Episcopal Church Foundation and serves on the Vestry of St. Ann's Episcopal Church in Kennebunkport.
George H.W. Bush loved baseball and had the leather to prove it
Steve Henson, USA TODAY Sports Published 12:34 a.m. ET Dec. 1, 2018
Former President George H.W. Bush passed away on Friday night at age 94 and will be remembered for his love of America and baseball. Sandy Hooper, USA TODAY
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