Those close to the late former PresidentGeorge H. W. Bushwill continue his passion for sentimental socks even after his death on Friday at 94 years old.
On his 18th birthday in 1942, the Texas Republican enlisted in the Navy, deferring his acceptance to Yale University so he could fight in World War II,according to the U.S. Department of Defense. Just one year later, he became the youngest pilot in the Navy at the time.
George H. W. Bush.Pam Francis/Getty
TimereportsBush was the last president to serve in combat. Going to war at just 19 as a carrier-based bomber pilot, he completed 58 combat missions and survived two crashes.
For his service, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and three air medals.
George H.W. Bush/Twitter
“To honor his wife of 73 years and her commitment to family literacy, for which she raised over $110 million over the course of over 30 years, George H.W. Bush will be wearing a pair of socks festooned with books,” McGrath tweeted at the time.
The next month, Bush paid tribute to the beloved matriarch when he attended the musicalHamilton, which the former first lady had always wanted to see.
George Bush/Twitter
“Not a big hashtag man, but congratulations #HamFam!!” he added, after praising the production’s “epic story and performance.”
And in June, when fellow former president Bill Clinton paid Bush a visit, he showed off some blue socks that had the Arkansas Democrat’s face stitched into them.
“Special visit today with a great friend — and now, a best-selling author. Luckily I had a freshly laundered pair of Bill Clinton socks to mark the occasion,” Bush tweeted.
Bush died Friday at 10:10 p.m., McGrath previously confirmed.
Diana Walker//Time Life Pictures/Getty
source: people.com
