Which president served in the U.S. Air Force?

George H.W. Bush served in the U.S. Air Force, specifically as a naval aviator during World War II. He became the youngest pilot in the Navy at the age of 18 and flew numerous combat missions in the Pacific theater. His military service is a notable aspect of his biography and reflects his early commitment to serving the country, which later influenced his political career as he ascended to the presidency.

The other presidents listed did not serve in the Air Force, as their military service histories differ significantly. George Washington, for example, served in the British Colonial Army and later became the commander of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. Jimmy Carter served in the Navy before his presidency, and Ronald Reagan was in the Army Reserve but spent much of his service in a non-combat role within the Army Air Corps during World War II. These distinctions are important as they highlight the various military backgrounds of U.S. presidents, but it is Bush who is specifically tied to service in the Air Force.