George Herbert Walker Bush (1924 - 2018)

Born 12 Jun 1924 in Milton, Norfolk, Massachusetts, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Barbara (Pierce) Bush — married 6 Jan 1945 in First Presbyterian Church, Rye, New York

Descendants

Died 30 Nov 2018 at age 94 in Houston, Texas, United States

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George Bush was the President of the United States. Join: US Presidents Project Discuss: presidents

Preceded by 40th President Ronald Reagan Preceded by 42nd Vice President Walter Mondale

George H W Bush 41st President of the United States 1989 - 1993 43rd Vice President of the United States 1981—1989

Succeeded by 42nd President Bill Clinton Succeeded by 44th Vice President Dan Quayle

Biography

George Bush is Notable.

George Bush is the descendant of a Huguenot emigrant.

George H. W. Bush was the President of the United States from 1989-1993.^[1][2][3]

Family

George Herbert Walker Bush was born in Milton, Massachusetts, on June 12, 1924 to Prescott and Dorothy Bush.^{[4][5][3][6][7][8][2]} He was named after his two grandfathers.^[3]

George's mother was the biggest influence on his life, according to George's wife Barbara, and worked hard to raise her children to be good, modest people.^[3] As a young man, George often went by his middle name, Walker.^[3] He was also sometimes known as "Poppy", a derivative of his namesake grandfather's nickname, "Pop".^[3]

George attended Phillips Academy, Andover, Massachusetts.^[9] He graduated there in 1942.^[4][5][2] He was an athletic lad who was always willing to help or share with those around him.^[3]

Following the news of the building violence in Europe, and the shock of the attack on Pearl Harbor, George enlisted in the Navy as soon as he finished high school, putting his plans of attending Yale on hold.^[4][3] He was often referred to as the youngest aviator in the Navy when he received his wings, though he later learned of one young man slightly younger.^[2][3] George flew 58 combat missions during World War II.^[2] On a mission with his unit, Torpedo Squadron 51, over the Pacific he was shot down by Japanese anti-aircraft fire and was rescued from the water by a U.S. submarine, a far better fate than many of the other men shot down in the same mission.^[10][2][3] He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for bravery in action.^{[11][12][5][2]}

In January 1945, George married Barbara Pierce.^[5] They had six children: George, Pauline Robinson "Robin", John "Jeb", Neil, Marvin, and Dorothy "Doro".^[2][3] George W. and Jeb both entered the politics, as well.^[3]

George and Barbara's daughter, Robin, died young from leukemia, despite the family doing the best they could to find a solution.^[3] The family temporarily moved to New York, staying with family while Robin was treated.^[3] George traveled between there and Texas in order to be with her and keep the family businesses running.^[3] He kept a picture of her in his desk drawer throughout his presidency.^[3]

George attended Yale University and excelled in both his studies and in sports.^[2] He graduated from there in 1948.^[4] George and Barbara moved their young family to Odessa, Texas where George would start his work in the oil industry.^[3]

George and Barbara's marriage lasted 73 years, ending only when she passed away early in 2018.^[3]

Endeavors

George was a successful businessman, forming Bush-Overby Oil Development in 1951.^[4] He also helped organize Zapata Petroleum Corp in 1953.^[4] During that time he watched his father step from business into politics, and the seed for his own transition was planted.^[3] He sold his interest in Zapata and worked on his plan to enter the Senate.^[3]

George served two terms as a Representative to Congress from Texas, first winning in 1966.^[3] He was next appointed to a series of high-level positions: Ambassador to the United Nations by President Nixon^[3], Chairman of the Republican National Committee-another Nixon request^[3], Chief of the U. S. Liaison Office in the People's Republic of China by President Ford^[3], and Director of the Central Intelligence Agency-another Ford appointment^[3]. The CIA headquarters at Langley was later named in his honor.^[3]

President Bush

George was chosen as the Vice President by Ronald Reagan and served in the role for both terms Reagan was President.^[4][3]

Despite the difficulty George had with his personal life being so accessible to the public when serving political roles, George ran for and won the Republican nomination for President in 1988. It was a difficult place to be, following the immensely successful President Reagan. George Bush became the 41st President of the United States.^[3] He was elected in 1989 and served until 1993.^[2]

President Bush was known for his pragmatism, patience, and drive.^[3] His time in the White House landed at the end of the Cold War and the beginnings of upheaval in the Middle East, most notably, Operation Desert Storm.^[3] His time also saw the passing of the Americans With Disabilities Act, The Immigration Act of 1990, The Civil Rights Act of 1991, The High Performance Computing Act of 1991, NAFTA, the volunteer program A Thousand Points of Light, as well as Supreme Court Appointments David Souter and Clarence Thomas.^[3]

The end of his time as President was clouded with a downturn in the economy, his own depression, and Graves Disease.^[3] He lost his bid to be reelected to Bill Clinton.^[3]

George lived to see something that had happened only once before, with the Adams Presidential family; his son, George W. Bush, became the 43rd President of the United States, following in his father's footsteps.^[3] George Sr was also the last World War II veteran to serve in the Oval Office.^[3] His exit from the limelight of politics opened the door for the world to see the congenial, respectful man he was, making connections with former political rivals like Bob Dole and Bill Clinton, and understanding the boundaries between father and son, letting George W. be his own man in the Presidential chair.^[3]

Legacy

George Bush died November 30, 2018 at his home in Houston, Texas, seven months after the death of his wife, Barbara.^[1][8] He will be buried at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library alongside his wife, Barbara.^[3]

George is remembered for the way he lived his life with his beloved wife, Barbara. He smiled and flashed his socks for the camera, went on adventures even into his older years, and always showed himself to be as fun as he was courageous and respectful.^[3] He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2011. He was the recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, awarded to him by then President Barack Obama.^[3]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} Wikipedia contributors, "George H. W. Bush," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, Wikipedia: George H. W. Bush (accessed December 3, 2018).
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9} "George H.W. Bush", WhiteHouse.gov, accessed 2 Dec 2018
3. ↑ ^{3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 3.14 3.15 3.16 3.17 3.18 3.19 3.20 3.21 3.22 3.23 3.24 3.25 3.26 3.27 3.28 3.29 3.30 3.31 3.32 3.33 3.34 3.35 3.36 3.37 3.38} Von Drehle, Don, "George Herbert Walker Bush, the 41st President of the United States and the Father of the 43rd, Dies at 94", Time Magazine, http://time.com/longform/president-george-hw-bush-dead/, 1 Dec 2018; accessed 4 Dec 2018
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6} Ancestry.com. Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774-2005 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006. Ancestry Record 1064 #1552
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3} "Barbara Pierce Engaged to Wed: Fiancee of Ensign", New York Times, Barbara Pierce and George Bush, 11 Dec 1943. Accessed via Ancestry.com 2 Dec 2018. Image
6. ↑ "United States Census, 1930," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XMP3-K6M : accessed 3 December 2018), Walker Bush in household of Prescott S Bush, Greenwich, Fairfield, Connecticut, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 134, sheet 4A, line 24, family 29, NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002), roll 257; FHL microfilm 2,339,992.
7. ↑ "United States Census, 1940," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K7B5-FKP : 16 March 2018), George Bush in household of Prescott S Bush, Greenwich Town, Fairfield, Connecticut, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 1-52, sheet 2A, line 27, family 27, Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940, NARA digital publication T627. Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790 - 2007, RG 29. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2012, roll 495.
8. ↑ ^{8.0 8.1} Find A Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 02 December 2018), memorial page for George Herbert Walker Bush (12 Jun 1924–30 Nov 2018), Find A Grave: Memorial #4311, citing George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, USA ; Maintained by Find A Grave .
9. ↑ Ancestry.com. U.S., School Yearbooks, 1900-1990 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. "U.S., School Yearbooks, 1880-2012"; Year: 1940 Ancestry Record 1265 #427234489
10. ↑ Naval History and Heritage Command Lieutenant George H. W. Bush, USNR
11. ↑ Ancestry.com. U.S. Navy Cruise Books, 1918-2009 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc, 2011. United States Navy; Navy Department Library, Washington, D.C.; Ship Name: USS San Jacinto; Ship Classification: CVL-30; Year(s): 1944-1945 Ancestry Record 2348 #2668906
12. ↑ Ancestry.com. U.S., Select Military Registers, 1862-1985 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2013. This collection was indexed by Ancestry World Archives Project contributors. Ancestry Record 2345 #4675615

• Ancestry.com. Massachusetts, Passenger and Crew Lists, 1820-1963 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2006. The National Archives at Washington, D.C.; Washington, D.C.; Series Title: Passenger and Crew Manifest of Airplanes Arriving at Boston, Massachusetts; NAI Number: 2674785; Record Group Title: Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, 1787-2004; Record Group Number: 85; Series Number: A3608; NARA Roll Number: 23 Ancestry Record 8745 #10489870
• Ancestry.com. New York State, Passenger and Crew Lists, 1917-1967 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2008. The National Archives at Washington, D.C.; Washington, D.C.; NAI Number: 2848504; Record Group Title: Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, 1787 - 2004; Record Group Number: 85; Series Number: A3998; NARA Roll Number: 393 Ancestry Record 1277 #6173430
• Ancestry.com. New York, Passenger and Crew Lists (including Castle Garden and Ellis Island), 1820-1957 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Year: 1937; Arrival: New York, New York; Microfilm Serial: T715, 1897-1957; Microfilm Roll: Roll 5955; Line: 22; Page Number: 121 Ancestry Record 7488 #20451991
• Rechcigl, Miloslav, Jr., "Tthe Moravian Brethren Heritage of th First Lady Barbara Pierce Bush," in: Contributions of the Moravian Brethren to America. Selected Papers from the Conference of the Czechoslovak Society of Arts and Sciences, at the Moravian College, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, June 8-10, 2007. New York, NY: Publishing House of the Czechoslovak Society of Arts and Sciences, 2008, pp.119-130.
• https://www.statopontificio.org/ps/fellows.html