Flight of Avenger

The 10 January 2009 commissioning ceremony for the USS George H.W. Bush, the latest and last of the Nimitz-class aircraft carriers, is an opportunity to look back at the naval career of its namesake, George Bush, once the US Navy's youngest naval aviator, and later, the last commander-in-chief from the World War II generation. World War II correspondent and veteran writer Joe Hyams' workmanlike 1991 "Flight of the Avenger" was undoubtedly timed to take advantage of Bush's presidency, and its portrait of the young Bush is laudatory. However, Hyams captures a legitimate snapshot of the place and the times. Bush, although from a wealthy family, did volunteer and did graduate from the Navy's aviation training program to fly over 50 combat missions in the Pacific off the escort carrier USS San Jacinto. The account of the wartime missions of his squadron and his ship is detailed and authentic. The highlight of that career may have been a mission against the Japanese-held island of Chichi Jima on 02 September 1944, in which LT Bush pressed home a bombing run despite heavy anti-aircraft fire. Bush was shot down, but managed to bail out of his burning aircraft and paddle away from the island. He was ultimately rescued at sea by an American submarine. What Hyams adds to this well-known story is the context that no American captured at Chichi Jima survived the war. The Japanese commander of the island executed all prisoners and apparently practiced cannabalism on their remains, for which he was executed after the war. Hyams interweaves an account of young George Bush's courtship of Barbara Pierce. Their courtship and marriage was only one of many such wartime romances, but it makes for a good story in light of their lasting and obviously successful marriage, and Bush's subsequent career of public service. One son, George Walker Bush, would escort them to the commissioning ceremony as President, while their daughter Doro sponsored the ship commissioning. "Flight of the Avenger" is recommended as a easy but interesting read on the career of one young naval aviator in the Second World War. If his time in the Navy was like many others of his generation, and perhaps distinguished most by what he did with his life afterward, it doesn't make him any less of a good example of what Tom Brokaw once labeled "the Greatest Generation."

Wonderfully detailed story of the former President's brush with death in September 1944 during a dive bomb attack over Chichi Jima. The book tells how he hand-paddled a rubber life raft to be rescued by an American submarine. His courtship with Barbara is also discussed. The book also has some wonderful photos. An enjoyable and easy read.

The story of George Bush's WWII service as a naval pilot. During the war Bush was the youngest Navy pilot to earn his wings. Shot down by the Japanese, he was later rescued by an American submarine and spent several weeks on board as it completed its combat patrol. Also talks about his romance with the future Mrs. Bush.