Page "George H. W. Bush" Paragraph 10

After Bush's promotion to Lieutenant ( junior grade ) on August 1, the San Jacinto commenced operations against the Japanese in the Bonin Islands.

Bush piloted one of four Grumman TBM Avenger aircraft from VT-51 that attacked the Japanese installations on Chichijima.

His crew for the mission, which occurred on September 2, 1944, included Radioman Second Class John Delaney and Lieutenant Junior Grade William White.

During their attack, the Avengers encountered intense anti-aircraft fire ; Bush's aircraft was hit by flak and his engine caught on fire.

Despite his plane being on fire, Bush completed his attack and released bombs over his target, scoring several damaging hits.

With his engine afire, Bush flew several miles from the island, where he and one other crew member on the TBM Avenger bailed out of the aircraft ; the other man's parachute did not open.

It has not been determined which man bailed out with Bush as both Delaney and White were killed as a result of the battle.

Bush waited for four hours in an inflated raft, while several fighters circled protectively overhead until he was rescued by the lifeguard submarine.

For the next month he remained on the Finback, and participated in the rescue of other pilots.