George Barnard Bush

George Barnard Bush, Jr., Captain, USN Retired, set sail from Fountain View, Dallas, Texas, for his final port of call, as he passed into eternal life early in the morning of 8 November 2020, with his wife, Millie Frary Bush, and grandson, Jason Bush, at his side.

George was born August 15, 1920, in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, the son of Marian Van Velsor Will Bush and George Barnard Bush, Sr. He will be laid to rest with full military honors at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery later this month. A service will be arranged by the Ted Dickey West Funeral Home of Dallas, Texas, and be held at the cemetery.

“The Captain” is survived by his wife, Millie, his children—George “Skip” Bush, Jean Ellen (Mike) Linkins, and Mariane (Steve) Dibblee; his stepdaughters—Susan Frary, Kathy (Jack) Miniclier, and Eleanor (Bobby) Matney; his grandchildren—Jason (Summer Giulietti) Bush, Michelle Bailey, Mandy (Trueman Muhrer-Irwin) Bailey, Matthew Dibblee, Sara (Tony) Zermeno; his step-grandchildren—Alison (Tom) Hall, Heather Barrett, and John, Nicole, and Andrew Miniclier; and his great-grandchildren—Kendra, Sydney, and Julia Bush, Alexis Jones, Owen Bailey-Baker, and James, Katheryn, and Eleanor Zermeno; and step-great-grandchildren Colt Hall, and Benjamin, Peter, and Robert Barrett.

He is predeceased by his wife Eleanor Ruth Davis Bush, his second wife Dorothy Kitselmen Frank Bush, and his sister Patricia Bush Andrews.

Captain Bush started his military service in 1937 when, at age 17, he enlisted as a private, Troop A, Eleventh Cavalry, for one month. In 1938, he enlisted as Seaman Apprentice, USNR, attending drills and going to sea aboard the USS Cincinnati (CL-6). Later in 1938, he was accepted as an NROTC Midshipman at UCLA, where he continued until graduation and commissioning as an Ensign, USNR, 1 May 1942.

In WWII, he served in various functions aboard the USS Macdonough (DD-351) from 15 June 1942 to 31 January 1945, and detached as a Lieutenant, USNR. He reported to the Naval Training Station, NOB Norfolk as the Instructor-In-Charge, Officer Training, Combat Information Center (CIC) School. He was released from active duty 16 November 1945 but continued in the Naval Reserve.

On 1 January 1949, he was promoted to Lieutenant Commander, (LCDR), USNR. He was recalled to active duty on 6 September 1950 and assigned to the USS Oglethorpe (AKA 100) as the Operations Officer. He was then assigned to NATO command, Fontainebleau, France, in early 1951.

On 1 June 1954, he was promoted to Commander, USNR. In August 1954, he received orders to the Pentagon, Washington, DC. He worked in the Office of the Assistant Chief of Naval Operations. After he was transferred to the Office of the Secretary of Defense, and because of his excellent work, he was invited to become the Executive Officer, USS Paul Revere, (APA 248), June 1958–July 1960.

On 23 July 1960, he took command of the USS Epping Forest (LSD-4) July 1960–March 1962. The USS Epping Forest was the first US Navy ship designated as minephibious: mine sweeper and amphibious landing-ship-dock combined.

He was promoted to Captain, USNR, in 1962. From 1962 to 1967, he worked for the Assistant Chief of Naval Operations, The Logistics Directorate (J-4) of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Office of Special Assistant to JCS for Strategic Mobility.

On 30 June 1967, “The Captain” retired from active Naval service. The following is his career information following retirement from the Navy:

1967-1969: Grants Officer, National Science Foundation,

1969-1970: Head of Grants Administration Section, Grants and Contracts Office, National Science Foundation.

1970: Civilian Service Award US Navy; Member National Council of University Research Administrators, Society of Research Administrators,

He earned an MA, in night school, from George Washington University in 1966 while on the Joint Staff.

Member, Toastmasters Int’l and Past President, Helmsman Club, Toastmasters Int’l;

Member, Propeller Club, Port of Washington;

Former Member, San Francisco Junior Chamber of Commerce.