WHHQ 73: Reflections

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the history of american presidents serving in the military is varied and significant. From battlefield heroes to military strategists, thirty-one presidents have donned the uniform, each bringing his unique experiences and perspectives to his role as president.

Future president George Washington set the precedent for service. As commander in chief of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War, his leadership on the battlefield and as our first chief executive solidified the role of the president as the ultimate authority over the military.

Throughout the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, many presidents like Washington rose to prominence serving in various capacities in the military. Among them was Andrew Jackson, a veteran of the War of 1812 and the Seminole Wars who became president in 1829. Ulysses S. Grant, the general in chief of the United States Armies during the Civil War, transitioned from military leadership to the presidency in 1869. The twentieth century saw a significant number of presidents with military backgrounds. Theodore Roosevelt, a hero of the Spanish-American War, famously led the Rough Riders in battle before serving as president from 1901 to 1909. Dwight D. Eisenhower, a five-star general during World War II, brought his extensive military experience to the White House in 1953. Other notable presidents with military

reflections

Presidents Who Wore the Uniform

STEWART D. M C LAURIN

PRESIDENT, WHITE HOUSE HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION

service include John F. Kennedy, a decorated naval officer during World War II; Lyndon B. Johnson, who served as a naval officer in the Pacific during the same conflict; and George H. W. Bush, a navy pilot who flew combat missions in World War II. Each of these presidents held various ranks and saw active duty or combat during their military service.

The president’s role as “commander in chief” is set down in Article II of the United States Constitution, which states, “The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States.” The phrase itself began to be commonly used during Washington’s presidency and has since become synonymous with the president’s role as the ultimate authority over the armed forces. As commander in chief, the president is responsible for making key military decisions, including the deployment of troops, the recommendation of a declaration of war, and the overall direction of national defense policy. This role is crucial in ensuring civilian control over the military and upholding the democratic principles upon which the nation was founded.

The history of American presidents serving in the military spans from the nation’s inception to the twenty-first century. Their diverse experiences and leadership styles have shaped the presidency and the country itself, leaving a lasting legacy on both the military and civilian spheres of American life.

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While visiting the headquarters of the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps at Joint Base Myer–Henderson Hall, Arlingon, Virginia, Stewart McLaurin borrows the drum major’ s espontoon, 2021.

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From George Washington to George W. Bush, thirty-one U. S. presidents are identified by their militia and U.S. military ranks in this U.S. Air Force graphic.

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U.S. Presidents have served in the military 12

7

3

2

1

Generals

Colonels

4 Lieutenants and 3 Captains

Commanders

Majors

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