Former President George Bush was one of those pilots who received training at the Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale. Nearly 50 years later, in October of 1992, he would return to the site of his aviator instruction to sign a mural which depicted those War years.

President George Bush signs mural "The Final Approach" at NAS while artist Bob Jenny looks on. Image Copyright 1992. Jerry Clark.

Mr. Bush graduated from Phillips Academy, Andover, Massachusetts on his 18th birthday, 12 June, 1942. That same day, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a Seaman 2nd Class. He received his wings and commission in June 1943 while still 18 years old. He was the youngest pilot in the Navy at that time.

His instructor at NAS was Lieutenant Tex Ellison, USN. Although many of the instructors at that time had limited experience, Lt. Ellison had just returned from combat in the Pacific Theater when he was assigned to be Ensign Bush's instructor. The training Ensign Bush received would prove invaluable in the days to come.

On active duty during World War II, Mr. Bush flew torpedo bombers off the USS San Jacinto. On 2 September, 1944, Mr. Bush's plane was hit by anti-aircraft fire while making a bombing run over the Bonin Island of Chichi Jima, 600 miles south of Japan. Although the plane was afire and severely damaged, he completed his strafing run on the targeted Japanese installation before flying towards sea to bail out. Mr. Bush was able to bail out successfully and was rescued by a Navy submarine, the USS Finback. Tragically, his two crew members were killed. For his courageous service in the Pacific Theater, Mr. Bush was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and three Air Medals.

Years later, artist Bob Jenny presented then President Bush a painting, Birds of Peace.While standing in in the Oval Office talking, Mr. Jenny mentioned the mural he had painted at Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale. Mr. Bush was very enthusiastic about this commemorative mural, pledging to stop by NAS next time he was in South Florida. True to his word, he signed the mural in 1992.