Page 42 - The History of Veterans at Highland Springs

GEORGE BARNARD BUSH JR.
FORMER HIGHLAND SPRINGS RESIDENT, NAVY Interviewed by K. Armstrong and R. Zerner
Your questions take me back many years. I attended the citizens military training camp CMTC long before I joined the US. Navy. I was then in the 11th Cavalry there. I then went to UCLA, where they had a naval ROTC unit on campus. When they discovered I had military experience from participating in the camp, they immediately found me, shook my hand, and welcomed me aboard. That is how I joined the military. I spent the majority of my time on ships in the Pacific and mid- Atlantic oceans on the USS Macdonough, destroyer #351, with many drunken sailors so it was not all that it was cracked up to be. After I retired as Captain, I worked at the Veterans Administration where I met my wife Millie, who was also widowed. I received many awards and honors and am very proud of my service to this country. My daughter has all the papers from my military service. I just recently celebrated my 100th Birthday with a martini, my favorite cocktail, and a wonderful steak and lobster dinner at a socially distanced party given by Highland Springs. The VNA presented me with a special certificate and pin for the service to my country.
The photos above show George Bush with his wife Millie (left) on his 100th Birthday, and George Bush’s service photo (right).
From the Library of Congress: War or Conflict: World War, 1939-1945 Dates of Service:1942- 1945 George served on a ship in fire support of the Marines at Guadalcanal and also served in the retaking of the Aleutian Islands from Japanese occupation. Unit of Service: USS Macdonough (DD 351); Naval Training Station, Naval Operating Base, Virginia; Navy Reserve Location of Service: Pacific Theater; Aleutian Islands; Guadalcanal Solomon Island); Makin Atoll (Gilbert Islands); Eniwetok Atoll (Marshall Islands); Tinian (Northern Mariana Islands); Ulithi (Caroline Islands); Leyte Island (Philippines). Highest Rank: Lieutenant . Service History Note: Special achievements include helping to save the USS Macdonough from sinking after a collision in the Aleutian Islands and serving as officer on duty when General Marshall waded ashore at Leyte Gulf. War of Conflict: Cold War. Dates of Service:1958-1960 Unit of Service: USS Paul Revere (APA 248) Location of Service: Pacific; Acapulco, Mexico; San Diego, California; Alaska.
Highest Rank: Commander.
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