Ice cold disasters that shook the planet
George Washington rose through the ranks of the Virginia militia to become major general and commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783 during the American Revolutionary War.
Thomas Jefferson was a colonel in the Virginia militia at the start of the Revolutionary War, serving from 1770 to 1779. Poor health, however, kept him out of combat during the American Revolution.
James Madison served in the Continental Army from 1775 to 1178, first as a captain, then major, and finally as lieutenant colonel.
Appointed as a major general of the Tennessee militia in 1802, Andrew Jackson later rose to the same rank in the US Army during the War of 1812.
The shortest-serving president, dying just 31 days into his term, William Henry Harrison nonetheless had military service under his belt from 1812 to 1814. A short stint as major general for the Kentucky militia during the War of 1812 was followed by command of the Army of the Northwest.
In the summer of 1813, John Tyler organized a Virginia-based militia company, the Charles City Rifles, to defend Richmond from the British during the War of 1812. In fact, no attack was forthcoming and he dissolved the company shortly afterwards.
James K. Polk spent a year as colonel in the Tennessee militia in 1821. He enjoyed his greatest military accomplishments while in office, extending US territory into the West during the Mexican-American War (1846–1848).
Zachary Taylor was a career officer in the United States Army, rising through the ranks during the War of 1812 to become a major general during the Mexican-American War.
Millard Fillmore achieved most of his military success after his presidency, when he served as a major in the Union Continentals, a home guard of adult males over 45 years old from upstate New York.
As with several of his predecessors, Franklin Pierce served in the Mexican-American War from 1846 to 1848, achieving the rank of brigadier general in 1847.
The last US president to serve in the War of 1812, James Buchanan did so as a private and not as an officer, deployed with the Pennsylvania militia in 1814 during the British invasion of Maryland.
Famous for his leadership of the Union during the American Civil War, Abraham Lincoln cut his military teeth serving as a captain in the Illinois militia during the Black Hawk War of 1832.
Appointed to the role of military governor for Tennessee by Abraham Lincoln in 1862, Andrew Johnson later served as a brigadier general in the US Army until 1865.
A graduate of West Point, Ulysses S. Grant was the first of three presidents to attend a US Service academy. He took part in the Mexican-American War and, later as commanding general, led the Union Army to victory in the American Civil War in 1865.
During the American Civil War, Rutherford B. Hayes served in the Union Army from 1861 to 1865, rising to the rank of major general.
James Garfield served in the American Civil War, entering the conflict in 1861 as a lieutenant colonel for the Union. By 1863, he'd achieved the rank of major general—the youngest officer to hold this position at the time.
In 1861, Chester A. Arthur began his military career as an active member of the New York militia. By 1863, he'd risen to the rank of brigadier general. However, he never saw active service on the account of familial ties with members of the Confederacy.
A grandson of the ninth US president, William Henry Harrison, Benjamin Harrison followed in his grandfather's footsteps by serving in the US Army during the Civil War. He fought for the Union from 1862 to 1865.
Another veteran of the American Civil War, William McKinley enlisted into the Union Army in 1861 and served until 1865. He achieved the rank of brevet major (a warrant that gives a commissioned officer a higher rank title as a reward).
In 1898, Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt put his political career on hold to organize a volunteer cavalry, known as the Rough Riders, to fight in the Spanish-American War. He rose to the rank of colonel. Throughout his life, Roosevelt maintained a keen interest in military strategy, particularly naval theory.
When the United States entered the First World War on April 6, 1917, Harry S. Truman, who'd originally enlisted in the National Guard, rejoined the military, successfully recruiting new soldiers for his unit, for which he was elected as their first lieutenant. Truman was later appointed a major in the Officers Reserve Corps and remained a reservists until the early 1940s.
A West Point graduate, "Ike" demonstrated considerable tactical skills during both world wars. During the Second World War, he was Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force in Europe and achieved the five-star rank as General of the Army. Eisenhower planned and supervised two of the most consequential military campaigns of that conflict: Operation Torch in the North Africa campaign in 1942–1943, and the invasion of Normandy in 1944.
JFK graduated from Harvard University in 1940 before joining the US Naval Reserve the following year. On April 24, 1943, he took command of PT-109. The boat was later rammed by a Japanese destroyer. Kennedy safely brought survivors to a nearby island, where they hid for seven days. His bravery earned him a Navy and Marine Corps Medal and a Purple Heart.
Like his predecessor, Lyndon B. Johnson also served in the US Navy, and also saw active duty during the Second World War, serving from 1941 to 1942 as a lieutenant commander.
The United States Navy also attracted Richard Nixon, who in June 1942 was appointed a lieutenant junior grade in the United States Naval Reserve. He saw active duty in the Pacific Theater and continued to serve as a commander in the US Navy Reserve until 1966.
Gerald Ford was compelled to enlist in the US Naval Reserve after the attack on Pearl Harbor. And like his predecessor, Ford also saw active service in the Pacific Theater.
Jimmy Carter also entered the military during the Second World War, and continued a presidential trend of serving in the Navy. He first served on a surface vessel before applying to the submarine service, where he eventually became a lieutenant.
The movie star president, Ronald Regan's early years saw him serve both Hollywood and the US Army. He spent time in the military from 1942 to 1945, though severe near-sightedness prevented him from taking part in combat duties.
On his 18th birthday immediately after graduating from Phillips Academy, George H. W. Bush enlisted in the US Navy as a naval aviator. Bush Sr. flew 58 combat missions during the Second Word War, between 1942 and 1945, and later earned the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism under fire.
George W. Bush was a first lieutenant of the Texas Air National Guard, serving on home ground from 1968 to 1973 while the US was at war in Vietnam. According to The Washington Post, Bush maintains that he joined the National Guard not to avoid service in Vietnam but because he wanted to be a fighter pilot.
Sources: (The White House) (National Guard Bureau) (History) (The Washington Post)
See also: Who are the Founding Mothers of the United States?
In early 1776, James Monroe dropped out of college and joined the 3rd Virginia Regiment in the Continental Army. His bravery on the battlefield earned Monroe the promotion to captain by George Washington.
American presidents who served in the military
Commander-in-chiefs who served their country
LIFESTYLE History
Of the 46 men who have so far held the office of president of the United States, 31 had served in the military. The American president is also commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces, and while coming from a military background is not a prerequisite for becoming the head of the nation's highest executive office, a president who has previously enlisted in the Army, Navy, or Air Force is seen as someone armed with the necessary leadership skills required to take possession of the White House.
So, who are the US presidents that have served in the military? Click through and take the salute.