Remembering George H.W. Bush

Naval pilot, CIA director, congressman, vice president, and President, George H.W Bush now joins his late wife and daughter.

Bush began his life of service during World War 2 as a naval pilot, flying an Avenger dive bomber off an aircraft carrier. During his career, Bush gained notoriety as a war hero after his plane was shot down. Bush was the only member of the three man crew to survive the crash and was soon rescued by a U.S submarine. Following the war, Bush began his career as a public servant. In 1963, he made an unsuccessful senate bid in Texas, and soon after, in 1966, he was elected as a congressional representative for Texas. Between serving as a congressman and winning the presidential race, Bush served in many important offices including U.S ambassador to the U.N and U.S enterage to China. In 1988, Bush won the presidential race while serving as vice president.

Bush’s tenure as president came during a turbulent time in global politics. The nation saw him masterfully handle the collapse of the United States’ greatest enemy, the Soviet Union. During his single term, Bush led the country through two wars. The removal of Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega came first followed soon after by the resounding success of Operation Desert Shield. Also known as the Gulf War, the intervention is cited as one of Bush’s greatest successes. This war was a U.N coalition effort to defend Kuwait from invasion by Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.

Bush senior entered the national spotlight again in the early 2000’s with the election of his son George W. Bush, and once again when he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011 by then president Barack Obama.

In January 2017,Bush and his wife Barbara were hospitalized for unrelated issues. The next month, in a feat of resilience, the couple throw the coin toss at Super Bowl LI. Sadly, Barbara died in April 2018, and in the same month, Bush was admitted to Houston Methodist Hospital for an infection leading to sepsis.

Bush made it through this hospitalization, but

on November 30 2018, at 10:10 p.m. the former president passed away. Bush was reportedly ready to be with Barbara and his late daughter who passed away from childhood leukemia. In his last phone call with Bush Jr., George H.W Bush said his last words were “I love you too.”

By Jake Bogartz