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Yale University remembers a former student and former President George H.W. Bush

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) – While the world mourns the loss of former President George H.W. Bush, officials at Yale University issued a statement in honor of Bush for a lifetime of dedicated service; saying "Yale has lost a loyal friend."

George H.W. Bush '48, 41st president of the United States, died on November 30. An aviator of the Second World War who arrived at Yale in the G.I. Bill, was preceded in death by his wife of 73 years, Barbara.

"Yale has lost a loyal friend," said President Peter Salovey. "Throughout his life, President Bush exemplified the values ​​of service and leadership we seek to foster at Yale. A decorated veteran, he spent three years as a naval aviator on combat missions in the Pacific before entering Yale. Once here, he distinguished himself as a student and an athlete. "

" One of the greatest base men and baseball captains in Yale history, President Bush remained an avid 'Bulldog' , a fan of Yale athletics A particularly ardent champion of our student-veterans. Said Salovey.

The United States entered World War II after the bombing of Pearl Harbor in December 1941, and Bush decided to join the war effort and graduated from Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts. and enlisted in the United States Navy on his eighteenth birthday, after completing his training course, he received his commission to become the youngest naval aviator at that time.When World War II, Bush conducted combat operations in the theater of the Pacific and participated in the rescue of several members of the service, was shot down in an operation 500 miles from Japan and then rescued by a U.S. submarine.He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, three aerial medals and the citation of the presidential unit.

After the surrender of Japan in 1945, Bush received an honorary discharge and enrolled in Yale. They were married, the couple would still have six children together. Bush had deep family connections with Yale. His father, Prescott Sheldon Bush, graduated in 1917, and three brothers, four nephews, two cousins, his son President George W. Bush '68 and his granddaughter, Barbara Bush '04, are former students.

Many in his class, Bush was a recipient of the IG Bill, and completed his bachelor's degree in economics in an accelerated program in just two and a half years. In addition to his studies, he was a prominent baseball player at Yale, a first baseman who promoted to team captain in his senior year. Considered one of the best in Yale's history, the Bush baseball team went to two World University Series. Barbara served as an scoring player, knew all the players and was an active supporter.

The Bushes first lived in a "tiny and adorable" apartment on Chapel Street, according to Barbara Bush's memoirs, but they had to leave later. The birth of his son George, as the owner did not allow babies. "The second place where they lived was on Edwards Street," said Judith Schiff, research archivist at Yale, "but that place did not accept dogs." Finally they settled in a mansion converted into Hillhouse Avenue. "Forty people lived there, sharing the kitchen and bathrooms," Schiff said. "It was right next to the home of the president of Yale."

After graduating, Bush and his family moved to West Texas, where he worked in the oil business. In 1966, he was elected to the US House of Representatives. UU., Beginning your career in public service. Later he served as ambassador to the United Nations and in China and then as director of the Central Intelligence Agency. Under President Ronald Reagan, he served two terms as vice president. In 1988, Bush was elected on 41 st President of the United States. He left office in 1993.

Remembering proud Yalie
"President Bush exemplified public service," said Michael Herbert'16 B.A., a naval officer specializing in aviation. "I have a lot of respect for your service [in World War II]." In 2015, when Herbert was the chief of staff of the Yale University Council (YCC), he started a new Lifetime Award in honor of outstanding students, and Bush was the first recipient. Five YCC members were invited to visit the former president and first lady at his home in Kennebunkport, Maine, where Bush was presented with the award and shared stories during lunch. "They were generous and practical people," said Herbert.

In 2017, the Yale baseball team achieved a total of 34 wins at the school and the Ivy League Championship with two winning games in the NCAA Tournament. To celebrate, they were also invited to visit the Bush in Kennebunkport, where the presidential bowls were handed out and given a tour.

"It was an unforgettable experience and an honor to be invited to his home," said team captain Richard Slenker''17. "President Bush is a man who really has done everything and has done it with the utmost humility and grace. He is an example for all of us to serve those around us. "

In the Book of the 50th meeting for the class of 1948, Bush reflected with great humility on his life of service and achievement:

"Who am I at the end of 50 years? Well, I am a happy man, a very happy man." He used to be a government employee, occupying a wide variety of jobs, so many, in fact, that my wife, Barbara, was fond of saying "Poor George, you can not have a job." Now I'm retired, unemployed, I talk a lot, some for charity, others to pay rent and buy hamburgers. I like to play with the world leaders I used to work with, I used to love politics, I do not love politics anymore, I love the fact that two children are involved in the "arena", but I'm happy on the sidelines. I'm George Bush who was once president of the United States of America Now, sometimes, this seems hard to believe. All of that is history, and historians in the future will fix the bad things that could have been done of the good things. My priorities now are largely friends, family and faith. I count my blessings every day. "

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