Military Records of Our Past 6 Presidents

June 20, 2007 By You Served Editorial Staff
Posted in News

To an outsider, military service might almost appear mandatory for those hoping to become president of the United States. All but 11 of the country’s 43 commanders in chief have listed some semblance of service on their records. Of the last half-dozen presidents, only one — Bill Clinton — did not engage in some form of military service, although there’s been plenty of debate and conspiracy theories about whether current President George W. Bush actually spent time with the Texas Air National Guard.

Here’s a look at the past six presidents and their legacy of service to our country:

-George W. Bush

First Lieutenant, Texas Air National Guard

He remained in the United States during the Vietnam War. The “Bushgate” flap at CBS regarding allegations that the president failed to fulfill his duty led to a major shakeup at the network, after scores of experts started to question the authenticity of the evidence presented.

-Bill Clinton

No military service.

The Rhodes scholar and skilled orator bypassed the draft because of student deferments. He finally entered in the draft in 1969 but received a high enough number that he was never called to serve.

-George H.W. Bush

Lieutenant, Junior Grade, United States Navy.

The first president Bush served as a Navy pilot in World War II. His plane was shot down by the Japanese, and the future president was the sole survivor. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

-Ronald Reagan

Captain, United States Army

He remained stateside during World War II. Apparently plagued by bad eyesight, Ronald Reagan continued working as actor during the war, making films for the Army.

-Jimmy Carter

Lieutenant Commander , United States Navy.

His service included sea duty and stateside service from 1946-1953. The future Nobel Peace Prize winner spent seven years in the Navy, earning the second-longest military stay of any U.S. president (Dwight D. Eisenhower tops the list).

-Gerald Ford

Lieutenant Commander , United States Navy.

A phenomenal athlete at Michigan, Ford applied for a commission in the Naval Reserve less than a week after the Pearl Harbor bombing in December 1941. He became an ensign in April 1942 and eventually served on the USS Monterey from May 1943 to December 1944.

Eleven (11) presidents had no military service:

Bill Clinton

Franklin D. Roosevelt

Herbert Hoover

Calvin Coolidge

Warren G. Harding

Woodrow Wilson

William Howard Taft

Grover Cleveland

Martin Van Buren

John Quincy Adams

John Adams

- Thanks to the Associated Press for the content of this post.