George H.W. Bush joined the US military on June 12, 1942 on his 18th birthday.

George Bush Presidential Library and Museum

Eager to serve, following the attacks on Pearl Harbor in December 1941 he considered joining the Canadian Royal Air Force, which would have let him join before turning 18, according to the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum .

Read more : A Navy fighter inscribed with George H.W. Bush's name will lead an unprecdented 21-plane flyover for the president's funeral

George H.W. Bush became the youngest Navy pilot of the era.

George Bush Presidential Library and Museum

Bush flew the Grumann TBF Avenger, a torpedo bomber that could drop a torpedo or a 2,000-pound bomb.

He flew 58 combat missions during World War II.

George Bush Presidential Library and Museum

Read more : Moving photos from George H.W. Bush's state funeral, where every living president, foreign leaders and celebrities paid their respects

He was shot down while on a bombing run off the island of Chi Chi Jima in 1944, and was rescued by the USS Finback.

US National Archives

After landing in the water, Bush swam to a life raft. He was attacked by Japanese soldiers on the island, but nearby US fighters strafed them to keep them away, a Navy historian told CBS News . The Finback rescued Bush after four hours on the raft.

After leaving military service, he remained devoted to US troops, and has often visited service members deployed and stationed overseas, even during holidays.

George Bush Presidential Library and Museum

As vice president, he visited the Korean DMZ in 1982.

George Bush Presidential Library and Museum

Then Vice President, George H.W. Bush USS Iowa re-commissioned the battleship USS Iowa in 1984

George Bush Presidential Library and Museum

In 1990, President Bush spent Thanksgiving with deployed troops in Saudi Arabia after the invasion of Iraq.

Reuters/Terry Bochatey

Right down to his socks, former President George H.W. Bush remained dedicated to serving his country until his final days.

Loren Elliott/Reuters

Bush family spokesman Jim McGrath tweeted a photo of the statesman's burial socks, honoring his time as a US naval aviator:

See Also:

• Watch how the crew of the USS George H.W. Bush honored the late president, who was a World War II Navy pilot
• A Navy fighter inscribed with George H.W. Bush's name will lead an unprecedented 21-plane flyover for the president's funeral
• 10 photos show what it's like aboard a US Navy floating hospital that is providing medical care to thousands of South Americans

SEE ALSO: Watch George H.W. Bush being rescued by the US Navy after his plane was shot down by Japanese forces in WWII