Former President George H. W. Bush on His World War II Experiences
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- Опубліковано 2 жов 2024
- Lieutenant Junior Grade George H.W. Bush, USNR, served 1942-1955
Former President George Herbert Walker Bush spoke with the U.S. Naval Institute on 27 April 2007. He tells the harrowing details of how he narrowly survived getting shot down near the island of Chichi Jima in the Pacific during WWII. A Naval aviator, Bush bailed out after his TBM Avenger torpedo bomber caught fire, and fortunately was picked up by the submarine USS Finback (SS-230).
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The last President who served in WWII. Far and away the greatest generation.
Carter served in the Navy.
Same on the "enemy" side, since Germany had no WW2 generation chancellor they just produce shit.
That's a stupid comment if you consider how well the later generation fought in Vietnam, which George W Bush managed to avoid having to do! Plenty did serve!
Ocazio Cortez begs to differ
Remember that democrats and ABC, CNN, NBC, CBS, hated this man and his son.....
He says "There is nothing heroic about doing your duty." That's what makes the great ones great. Thank you for everything Mr. President. God rest your soul sir.
That is so true
Paul Teves - He was so humble. Learning more about his life (through his death), has truly inspired me to be a better person.
Indeed. Note how he went on to say that had he landed his plane like he was supposed, no one would have known about. You could even sense a little bit of contempt in his voice when the suggestion of being a hero came up.
@@Brandon-w6y while his son fought against them? If you have proof from a credible source, I'll look at it but what does that have to do with hw Bush? His brother was a moron so what?
I agree. The descriptor "hero" is thrown around far too inappropriately in these times.
He was born into a family of vast wealth and privilege. At age 18, he risked all and volunteered to go fight. Must respect that.
Past generations when the US was a republic they did, now when the US is an empire they no longer.
@@billbill3890 The US is not an empire.
Dale Couture an empire can be defined as a collection of states or countries ruled over by a sovereign state. Sounds like the US - when the US didn’t like who/how countries in central and South America were governed it overthrew the governments. Add the recent events in Libya, Egypt, Iraq, Afghanistan. It has 800 military bases 70 countries. It imposes its economic views through the IMF and world bank on countries - called the Washington consensus. It’s not an empire in the old sense of the British empire when they directly ruled other countries but a more modern type realising direct rule is impractical nowadays and inconsistent with its founding principles - although that didn’t stop it from ruling the Phillipines directly for a while, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and it is possible to add most of the SW of the US after the war with Mexico. I’m not saying it’s always a successful empire getting its way always (few do even at their height of power) and it does seem that it has over reached itself and maybe be losing cohesion at the core as most empires eventually do but with the US you can’t tell it may come back. Using China and Russia as an external enemy helps in the process of uniting the population as well as justifying the size of the military budget.
@@billbill3890 empire - "an extensive group of states or countries under a single supreme authority, formerly especially an emperor or empress."
1- We do not have an emperor or empress
2- We do not have a supreme authority within our own country, let alone over other countries
3- We do not have rule over an extensive group of states or countries, let alone 1 state or country (and if you confuse a US state with the real definition of a state then we have more serious problems here)
4- Toppling an oppressive regime that commits human rights violations or other atrocities is not the same as leverage power over them in order to rule them
5- None of your examples meet this definition and none of your examples are current either
Dale Couture I think that you’re taking a narrow definition of an historic empire which is fine, define it how you like as long as people know what you are talking about. But looking at the issue with respect to what an empire does and how it operates -The us doesn’t have an emperor but it does have an elite that has become largely unaccountable and opaque and which has a continuous life of it’s own regardless of the changing administration. You talk about different responsibilities of power within the us - that’s not uncommon even within traditional empires as they became large - provincial governors had lots of power as long as they didn’t cross the emperor - as it’s not possible to govern over everything from the centre. It’s interesting that in the us the presidents major role is foreign policy which is not a lot different from that of many traditional emperors whose major role often was defending and extending the empire. As I said the us doesn’t meet the old view of an empire.
And the us doesn’t overthrow oppressive governments because they’re oppressive the us overthrows them because they don’t suit its interests. Look where they’re overthrown governments - where the us interests lie, the governments are left alone if there aren’t us interests or are doing what the us wants and what are they replaced with when overthrown - other oppressive governments.
My main point with the us is not that it behaves like an empire - most of its values agree with - is that within the us power and wealth have become too concentrated and if it does intervene in other countries at least be competent about it and don’t leave things worse or create blowback - since WW2 the us interventions have worsened things in - Iran (overthrowing an elective govt in the 195Os, putting in place the Shah dictatorship that led to the Iranian revolution, the countless banana republic interventions that can’t have helped the current unstable situation in Central America, Chile (elective govt overthrown by us back oppressive military dictatorship), Libya, Iraq, Egypt (another elective govt overthrown) and the list goes on and on ...... Greece under the generals, current support Saudi Arabia and turning a blind eye to Yemen war, support authoritarian regime in Pakistan (they have the bomb - no us issue with that unlike Iran), the us support of Argentinian generals in the dirty war of the 1979s.......... and on and on....role in Vietnam war where the us stopped a in sanctioned vote in the 1950s to reunify the country because the us knew the north would win it.
Voted for him twice. Class act. Overshadowed by Reagan...which was too bad as he was a star in his own right. Most comprehensive resume of anybody ever for fitness as President. True patriot and a great American. Rest in peace and a big "Thank You" for your exemplary service as a member of the military and a public servant.
Yeah, thank you president for your father Prescott Bush caught funding the nazi`s. God bless a family of deceiving liers and mass murderers.
He was also mentioned in the scheme to whack fdr
Fuck Reagan. Bush Jr was alright and the last good (elected) Republican president.
@@johnreed9050 Uhhh no. President Bush Sr. would have been a teenager back when FDR was president. Never heard of any scheme to whack him either. Ridiculous.
@@johnreed9050 Not quite sure what you mean by that lol
Like him as a President or not you have to respect this man he wasn't drafted he volunteered to fight for our country and he lost friends in battle I have the greatest respect for you mr. Bush thank you thank you so much
A great, honorable man. Thank you President Bush for your service.
@Exocet like you.
Dude's pretty chill for a guy who came within a few minutes of getting his liver and thighs eaten by Imperial Japanese Army officers. Very brutal is a vast understatement. There were around eight other aviators who were captured there that day. All of them were executed and four of them were eaten.
That is one rare one American president RIP GB
It is amazing how these men in their 80’s and 90’s remember their experiences like it was yesterday. I never get tired watching
How would you ever forget a trauma?
The trauma remains
McCain too could have left the torture chambers but would not talk that privilege
Thank you for your service Mr. President. God Bless.
@Happy 420 I hope you managed to suffocate in your own vomit.
Yeah, thank you president for your father Prescott Bush caught funding the nazi`s. God bless a family of deceiving liers and mass murderers.
George HW Bush was not a great president but was a fine & solid man and American. I interviewed him one-on-one in the 1992 election as a statewide journalist. He was honest and intelligent in the exchange. I would vote for him over Trump or Biden today.
When I was 20 I was worried about getting into a bar. This man and thousands of others were trying to win a war. Thank you to all that have served, and Rest In Peace Mr. President.
Agreed, but not just any war it was WWII most horrifying war in mankind history
Give me a hell yeah!
You're fired!!!
I would give that distinction to the US Civil War.@@lordragnar8921
Never took a knee. You set a fine example of courage, honor and love. I salute you Sir. RIP.
Our greatest generation is disappearing, thank you for your service & May you Rest In Peace. You were a great man
Happy 420 Your grass is always greener over the septic tank... fitting for you where ya belong and your pathetic comment
@Well Rounded no you get off from his balls.
Imagine hating the great generation. Your hair must be green.
If anyone is curious what plane he flew during WWII, it was a TBM-1 Avenger
I’m pretty sure
The first election where I was old enough to vote was 1992. I voted for George H. W. Bush. He did not win, but that was one of the best voting decisions I ever made.
The greatest generation shall not grow old. Mr. Bush created a loving atmosphere in his home which was the foundation for his life. Thank you for your service Mr. President.
Their legacy shall live on even as the one passes away
RIP George H W Bush thank you for your great service t our country
Bush was being very vague about just how brutal they were on Chichi Jima.
Both his fellow crew members on the TBF did not survive the crash
About 6 other aviators survived their crashes, only to be brutally executed shortly after their capture. The captors ruthlessly beat and cannibalized most of them while they were still alive. George was the only survivor, and he sure as hell didn’t waste his second chance at life
Thank you Mr. President! He talks about this so matter of fact like it’s going out to get the newspaper in the morning. True to that generation he gives those who died the glory. The George Jones song comes to mind: “Whose gonna fill their shoes?”
I'm so honored to have served under your leadership.
What ever he was he was a man...a real man. R.I.P
Rest in peace Mr. President and thank you for your many services to our beloved country.
Yup such as killing innocent people for oil!
MLP Shawn ummmm I think, you need to look more into history.
@@ShawnFX Idiot.
Dr. Fara Movagharnia: Lord Rest His Soul
Yes, like his involvement in the assassination of JFK. Also, his father Prescott Bush contributed millions of dollars through his wall street investment banking firm in support of the rising Nazi party and Adolph Hitler during WWII.
I don't really blame you for being so uninformed but you are one of countless millions of Americans who are ignorant of a lot of American history. This man was no patriot because the assassination of JFK was nothing less than a coup which overthrew the American government and it hasn't been the same since. Richard Nixon also participated in the murder and yet another President, Gerald Ford, participated in the cover up as a member of the Warren Commission. He even said just a few weeks before his death that he was responsible for altering evidence in JFKs autopsy report.
If all this sounds ridiculous or far fetched, the information is out there for those who want to do just a little bit of digging.
I've been reading about the assassination for over 50 years and everything I've read is in books that can be found by anybody. If you read 3 or 4 books about JFKs assassination then you will come away knowing almost nothing.
It takes effort to find the truth but it's out there. It's not hidden.
Sail on sir from a former sailor good speed
Oh..his words on the definition of a hero. FINALLY. Love this man. R.I.P. Mr. President.
Rest in Peace Mr. President and war hero!
Like thousands of that generation, George Bush was going to join the Canadian air force because the US wasn't at war with the Nazis. Then Dec. 7, 1941 happened and he was able to join the US Navy air corps.
Many Americans died fighting with Canadian Bomber and Fighter Command in Europe. Only about 25% of them survived the war. My hat comes off to our brave Americans comrades.
Didn't like him as president but I have a tremendous amount of respect for this man.
He was a true patriot
I can't wait till Obama is older and tells the amazing stories he has about defending freedom and being brave for our country when he was 20 years old. I'm sure he just has to reach that right moment in life where he wants to talk about it. It's not easy to talk about things like this.
Honorable through and through. A phenomenal example for all Americans to see. God bless you sir.
A truly great noble man GHW Bush! RIP sir.
Amazing how this this burns into the memory. He still knows the numbers of both sides of his task force transfer! Ask anyone if they know the number of something as repeated of a combination lock from that far back! Amazing how the mind works.
Rest in peace Sir.
Wow, great interview Mr. President. i learned so much.
He just blows it off any kinda of valour or bravery like almost all the soldiers from that war.
A much respected man & President who I’m sure didn’t have to put his life in harms way but he did it anyway
You will be missed. The definition of an American. Rest in Peace Mr. President.
RIP
One of Americas best presidents. RIP sir
@Exocet What IS your problem?? You've used the same ugly line to reply to about 5 or 6 people (so far!). If it weren't for the disgusting language, you'd sound like a Two-year-old!!
Both HW and jfk where involved in epic war hero shit. Those guys are awesome RIP greatest genration.
I say this as a liberal democract... What I would give to have this man as our president today. Wow. Greatest generation.
Enter Name Here I’m sure you would🙄
Mr.D- fuckin really?
Why would you knowingly be a Liberal Democrat? Totally clueless. The Democrat Party is a vile scourge and America's #1 enemy.
What I would give for liberal democrats to leave.
@@johnyman5880
Looks like someone is a little triggered.
A fraud of a hero. Those in his squad say he got cold feet and bailed out early leaving his injured rear gunner to die, as his plane was still flyable. The whole interview was wiped from UA-cam.
You mean....
According to reports, a retired Navy gunner named Chester Mierzejewski, who claims to have been on a plane with George H.W. Bush during a World War II incident, has a significantly different account of the events, stating that Bush's plane was not on fire and that only Bush ejected, contradicting Bush's version of the story where he described a crash landing in the Pacific Ocean; this discrepancy has led to questions about the accuracy of Bush's narrative regarding the incident.
Key points about the differing accounts:
Bush's version:
Bush described his plane being shot down and catching fire, forcing him to eject over water and be rescued by a submarine.
Mierzejewski's version:
Mierzejewski claims that the plane was not on fire, that Bush was the only one to bail out, and that a water landing could have been possible, potentially allowing for the rescue of other crew members.
What a great man! Nothing but respect for president Bush| he will be missed
President Bush's life would make a great mini-series
FROM AMSTERDAM
THANKS MR BUSH, TOGETHER WITH ALL THE BRAVES WHO LAYED DOWN THEIR LIVES
FOR MY FREEDOM
Y'know, I'm no great fan of his politically. One could go on and on about that. But my father was a B-24 pilot, and in his own way, went thru so much about what Bush talks about here. Forgetting everything else, these were exemplary people.
Much respect to George H W Bush, people are quick to mouth off these days, but talk doesn't accomplish anything, you have to go out there and do it. RIP Mr. President.
So many brave men and women. Faith kept many of them continuing their courageous attitude.
I don’t know if I’d have voted for him, but god what a man.
A president that was also a veteran
We’ll never forget those boys who were eaten by cannibals and those who survived em
RIP POTUS. signed: Desert Storm Vet
Just for landing an Avenger on an aircraft carrier, this man has my respect.
Great man. He is an honorable man of our history.
Thank you for your service President Bush ❤️
RIP Mr. President. You'll always be a friend of Germany.
From Australia - Thankyou Mr. President.......such a pity we do not seem to have men today of your integrity........Thankyou again, Sir.
A good man a good president and a war hero now what do we have as a president shm
That is who you want as your commander in chief.When he salutes, it's sincere.
I liked this man and jad great respect for him RIP sir👍🇦🇺🇺🇸
He was goddamn lucky the wing of his plane didn't decapitate him. What a story.... he spent a month on the submarine -- its even more dangerous than flying!
Humble and heroic till the end . RIP.
While I dislike him as president. I can at least respect the man as a soldier.
Thank you for your Service & Courage Mr. President. RIP!
8:00 you can see in his eyes a faded sign of remedilessly core memory.
My full respect to George H. W. Bush and his bravery in his youth in service to the US and the Allied cause. (I am a raving Democrat.)
@Exocet what about you. You are gonna roast next and then ur son. Son of a bitch.
I thought you atheists didn't believe in hell
God bless you, Mr. President. Thank you, for your service and leadership.
What a story.....this is honor and courage....
I never knew how cool George H Bush was... RIP. Im glad he was spared from those cannibals. But I pray for those who were not lucky...
Think about what his generation did at 20 years old and today's kids are playing with their cellphones all day.
@Semper Fidelis and have the bombs drop on you while on your phone.
I guess if you just ignore the thousands of young Americans that have died overseas in the last 15 years.
RESPECT 🇺🇸
Rest In Peace Mr President, you will be missed by a lot of people.
Get a grip...President Trump sent Air Force One to pick up that MAN out of a sign of RESPECT....
He didnt do what no other president would have done...dont give idiot trump more credit then he deserves...the man is a real loser...
Fuck Trump Mr. I am to cowardly to serve bonespurs.
this is the most practice tall ever told! I believe!
Someday soon, if it is not already happening, my generation (the post WW II children of the greatest generation) will have to explain why our parents' generation was named that. President George H. W. Bush was a great example of that. How do we explain it? Can you?
Humble and great man. God bless GHWB 41
It’s amazing, Bush went through four campaigns for President and Vice President and most of us never heard a word of his World War III heroics.
From John F. Kennedy Jr’s gaudy
PT boat campaigning.
This video is after his political career.
Took off from a carrier. Completed his bombing mission in a damaged plane. Escaped by parachute. Rescued by a submarine. And he describes it like it was just another day.
Would be interested to know what he did for 30 days on the submarine.
This great American could have easily lived a life of luxury and free of military service. He chose to serve his country. In my life, the Honorable George H.W. Bush was the most qualified person to become President of The United States.
What a stud
He was rated by his instructor as an "average" pilot. Apparently not.❤
Did not like his politics at all. Lots of blood on his hands but I did enjoy seeing the human side of him. Interesting to see his emotions recalling the story which I’ve read about several times.
He said there is nothing heroic about being shot down. When Trump said that about John McCain people thought it was blasphemous.
Is it possible to know who the fighter pilots were and who captained the submarine?
There should be a movie.
God bless you President Bush a great selfless man who did his duty to the best of his ability with out complaint
He could remember where he was on the day his plane went down but couldn’t recall where he was when he had Kennedy shottt
A great man. RIP
Thank you President Bush and rest in peace.
Hero!
I wonder what he did on the submarine after he was rescued.
Jack,I was wondering about that to.
Stayed the heck out of the way in a very cramped quarters! I know that submariners "hot bunked", meaning 2-3 guys shared the same bunk in 8 hour shifts. I wonder how Bush and the other pilots got any rack time?
RESPECT. RIP sir.
Sure miss him. He would take Trump and Biden behind the woodshed and teach them how to be a real man.
Bravo Zulu! Fair winds and following seas.
What kinda dweeb would give this thumbs down?
Fair winds and following seas Mr President.
Class act!
Lost his little girl,...Life is so cruel some times!
The chichijima incident is gruesome.
Amazing to me that it never seemed to occur to him the answer to his "Why me?" He never kept asking himself, "why me?". But his was a life of service that was deep and broad and culminated with him becoming not only the President of the United States but also the father of a State Governor and another President. There is of course no way of knowing why he was spared. But his contribution to our Country, and the family he and Barbara raised are each a very good answer to that question.
We miss you Mr. President. Rest in Peace. Amen.
A life lived with dignity and honour.
RIP