Adams didn’t serve in the military during the Revolutionary War, but he played a major role in organizing and equipping the war effort by acting as a de facto Secretary of War. A total of eight Presidents served in some capacity during World War II.ġ0. Bush was shot down in the Pacific, survived and flew a total of 58 combat missions. John Kennedy’s patrol boat was cut in half by a Japanese ship in the Solomon Islands George H.W. Both future Presidents were involved in well-known incidents. Truman commanded an artillery unit in France and saw battle, including offering support for George Patton’s tank brigade.ĩ. Harry Truman was the only President to serve on the battlefield during World War I Dwight Eisenhower served stateside during the war. He fought bravely during his time in the Army and had his horse shot out from under him in one skirmish.Ĩ. McKinley was the last President who was a Civil War veteran. Seven future Presidents served in the military, in some capacity, during the Civil War. William McKinley, the last President to serve in the Civil War. Future President Grant served under another future President, Zachary Taylor, during the Mexican-American War, and Grant modeled his leadership skills on his experience with Taylor.ħ. That doesn’t sound unique but only three Presidents were educated at military academies: Grant, Eisenhower and Jimmy Carter. Ulysses Grant, the first President from West Point. Lincoln didn’t see active fighting, but he was tasked to bury the war dead, an experience that deeply influenced the future President.Ħ. Lincoln volunteered to fight in the Black Hawk War of 1832, and he was elected as captain of his militia unit. Abraham Lincoln spent three months in the military. Harrison was the protégé of General Anthony Wayne and his victory over the British at the Battle of the Thames in 1813 was his biggest in the war, not the more famous campaign at Tippecanoe.ĥ. Harrison only served 30 days as President when he died in 1841, but he was the second biggest hero of the War of 1812, next to Jackson. William Henry Harrison, mostly known as a war hero. He later led regular army and militia forces in three wars, including a victory over the British at New Orleans in 1815 that made him a national hero.Ĥ. Jackson served as a messenger during the Revolutionary War at the age of 13 and was captured by the British. His active military service ended a few years later when he decided to study the law under Thomas Jefferson.ģ. Monroe was seriously wounded leading an assault on an artillery position but survived. Monroe was a young officer in Washington’s army when it crossed the Delaware River and attacked Trenton in late 1776.
He held the rank of senior officer of the Army when he died in 1799.Ģ. But he came out of retirement after he left the White House, in case the United States went to war with France in 1798. George Washington served with distinction in the French and Indian War, and led the Continental Army. George Washington was still in the army at the time of this death. Here is a quick look at these leaders, and a few others with interesting military connections.ġ.
In fact, 12 Presidents held the title of General during their careers.Īnd among these leaders, three men, George Washington, Ulysses Grant and Dwight Eisenhower, held the rank of General of the Army, the highest military rank obtainable in their times. Of the 44 men who have served as President (remember, Grover Cleveland served twice) so far, 31 had some type of military experience, either in active service, in the reserves or in a militia. On Veterans Day, Constitution Daily looks at 10 Presidents who had first-hand experience serving in the military before they were elected to office and became commanders in chief.
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