George H. W. Bush

George H. W. Bush

George H. W. Bush

From navigation to combat to intelligence work, there are many areas of the military to serve in. Each year, we honor those who have served on Veterans Day. To help commemorate the day, we’ve compiled a list of some well-known veterans, beginning with former President George H. W. Bush, who joined the U.S. Navy on June 12, 1942 - the day he turned 18. He served as a Naval aviator (see him in his uniform) and was later awarded numerous medals (which ones?) for his time in service.

Tony Bennett

 Legendary singer Bennett (hear him sing) got his first chance to sing while in the military. The New Yorker (see photos) served in France and Germany during World War II.

Pat Tillman

After turning down a $3.6 million contract with NFL team the Arizona Cardinals, the former safety enlisted in the military in May 2002, eight months after the September 11 attacks. Tillman (see photos) fought in both Iraq and Afghanistan. He was killed in 2004 while serving in Afghanistan.

George Steinbrenner

Former New York Yankees (who beat them in this year’s playoffs?) owner Steinbrenner (see photos) joined the military in 1952 after graduating from college (where did he study?). During his time in service, he set up sporting events for those in the military.

Alan Alda

Former “M*A*S*H” star Alda (watch him in clips from the show) joined the military after graduating from this university. The Emmy and Golden Globe winner (see photos) served for six months in the Korean War.

Charles Walgreen

Before he started his chain of drug stores, Walgreen enlisted with the 1st Illinois Volunteer Cavalry and served in Cuba. The pharmacist (see photos) became very ill with malaria and yellow fever during his time in war.

Chuck Norris

Long before you watched him in “Walker, Texas Ranger” (view clips), Norris graduated from high school and enlisted in the military. It was during his time in Korea that Norris (see photos) took an interest in martial arts and became the martial arts guru we know today

R. Buckminster Fuller

 Inventor, engineer and author Fuller (see photos) trained as an aviator after joining the military. He invented a seaplane rescue mast during his time in service.

Montel Williams

Before he became the well-known talk show host he is today (watch clips of his show), Williams joined the military. The motivational speaker (see photos) served in two branches of the military and took part in intelligence work.

Ben Bradlee

Former executive editor of The Washington Post and current vice president at large, Bradlee (see photos) had a role in the publication of reports of the Watergate scandal. Well before that, he graduated from this prestigious university and joined the military.

Johnny Carson

Legendary television host of this late-night show (watch clips), Carson was a former ensign to the U.S. military. Following training, Carson (see photos) was called for duty on what ended up being the last day of the war.

Jocelyn Elders

Before she was the surgeon general of the United States (under which president?), Elders provided aid to soldiers returning from the Korean War. The Arkansas native (see photos) was somewhat controversial during her time as surgeon general (why?) and resigned from the position after 15 months.

Clint Eastwood

Famed actor, director and producer Eastwood (check out his filmography) was drafted into the military in 1950, after the Korean War began. The Academy Award winner (see photos) met a number of other actor-soldiers (who?) during his time in service.

Bob Feller

Before and after his time in service, Feller (see photos) was a successful major-league pitcher (for what team?). He interrupted his baseball career to join the military in 1941 after hearing on the radio that Pearl Harbor had been attacked.

Bill Cosby

Eighties sitcom star (for what show?) Cosby joined the military in 1956 and served for four years. The funnyman (watch video clips) was part of the military track team during his time in service and later attended this university on a track and field scholarship

Malcolm Forbes

In his days before becoming a multimillionaire publisher (for this namesake business magazine), Malcolm Forbes fought in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany in World War II. The Princeton University grad (see photos) was awarded a Bronze Star and Purple Heart for his time in service.

Shaggy

Reggae singer and rapper Shaggy (what was his hit single in 2000?) moved to Brooklyn from Jamaica when he was 18. In 1988, he enlisted in the U.S. military as a Field Artillery Cannon Crewman.

Dave Thomas

Thomas, the founder of this popular fast-food restaurant, voluntarily joined the military during the Korean War in order to avoid the draft. After attending the former Cook’s and Baker’s School at the military post in Fort Benning, Ga., Thomas (see photos) was given the job of feeding 2,000 soldiers every day in Germany.

Tom Ridge

Former secretary of homeland security (under which president?), Ridge was drafted into the military in 1968. The former congressman and Pennsylvania governor (see photos) could have deferred as he was in law school (where?) at the time, but he chose to serve.

Drew Carey

Comedian and game-show host (of what show?) Carey served in the military for six years in the 1980s. It was during his time in service that Carey (see photos) started doing stand-up comedy (watch his comedy).

Fred W. Smith

Smith, the CEO of FedEx, founded the express delivery company a year after his four-year military service. The businessman (see photos) served during the Vietnam War .

George Westinghouse

Founder of the Westinghouse Electric Company in 1866, Westinghouse was a well-known inventor and engineer of his time. He was awarded an astonishing number of patents (how many?) over the course of his life. Before this success, he enlisted in the military as a teenager and served in two branches over a three-year period.

Sumner Redstone

The man we know today as a media giant had a role in military intelligence during World War II. Today’s chairman of National Amusements, Redstone (see photos) finished his military career with the rank of first lieutenant.

Joseph M. Acaba

NASA astronaut Acaba (see photos), known for being the first NASA astronaut candidate of Puerto Rican heritage, served in the military for six years. He has also worked as a hydrogeologist and spent two years in the Peace Corps.