41. President of The United States, George Herbert Walker Bush

George Bush: George Bush brought to the White House dedication to traditional American values and determination to guide them to make the United States "a kinder and gentler nation" In his inaugural address promised "a rich promises moment" use American force as a "force for good". Coming from a family with a tradition of public service, George Herbert Walker Bush felt the responsibility to make its contribution in both seasons of war and peace. He was born in Milton, Massachusetts, on June 12, 1924, he became a student leader at Phillips Academy in Andover. On his 18th birthday, he enlisted in the armed forces. The youngest Navy pilot when he received his wings, he flew 58 combat missions during World War II. On a mission over the Pacific as a pilot of a torpedo bomber, the Japanese anti-aircraft fire knocked him down and was rescued in the water by a submarine of the United States. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for bravery in action. Bush then turned his energies toward completing his education and raising a family. In January 1945 he married Barbara Pierce. They had six hijos-- George, Robin (who died as a child), John (known as Jeb), Neil, Marvin, and Dorothy. At Yale University, he excelled in both sports and studies; He was captain of the baseball team and a member of Phi Beta Kappa fraternity. After graduation Bush embarked on a career in the oil industry of West Texas.

Like his father, Prescott Bush, who was elected a senator from Connecticut for 1952, George became interested in public service and politics. He served two terms as Representative in Congress from Texas. He ran twice unsuccessfully for the Senate. Then he was appointed to a series of high-level positions: Ambassador to the United Nations, Chairman of the Republican National Committee, Head of the Office of Affairs of the U.S.A. in the People's Republic of China, and Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. In 1980 Bush campaigned for the Republican nomination for President. He lost, but was chosen as running mate by Ronald Reagan. As Vice President, Bush had responsibility in several domestic areas, including Federal deregulation programs and anti-drug, and visited the governments of foreign countries. In 1988 Bush won the Republican nomination for President and, with Senator Dan Quayle of Indiana as his running mate, he defeated Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis in the general election. Bush made him face a dramatically changing world, as the Cold War ended after 40 bitter years, the Communist empire broke, and the Berlin Wall fell. The Soviet Union ceased to exist; and the reformist President Mikhail Gorbachev, whom Bush had supported, resigned. While Bush cheered the course of democracy, he insisted on the restriction of US policy toward the group of new nations.

In other areas of foreign policy, President Bush sent American troops into Panama to overthrow the corrupt regime of General Manuel Noriega, who threatened the security of the canal and the Americans living there. Noriega was brought to the United States for trial as a drug dealer. The biggest test of Bush came when Iraqi President Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait, then threatened to move into Saudi Arabia. Voting to free Kuwait, Bush sought to the United Nations, citizens of the United States, and Congress and sent 425,000 American troops. They were joined by 118,000 troops from allied nations. After weeks of aerial bombardment and missile, the earthly battle of 100-hours overcame the army of a million men of Iraq aimed at Desert Storm. Despite an unprecedented popularity this military and diplomatic triumph, Bush could not hold the discontent in the country with a faltering economy, rampant violence in urban centers, and continued high deficit spending. In 1992 he lost his bid for reelection to Democrat William Clinton.