CINC-CINC: Our Presidents’ Military Careers Ranked

A good number of civilians forget that the President of the United States (POTUS) is also the Commander-in-Chief (CINC) of all of our nation’s Armed Forces.  Fortunately, many of the great men who’ve held the office of POTUS have also led men in military service prior to their election to the highest post in the land.

We’ve compiled a list of the 10 most impressive military backgrounds from the men who’ve occupied the Oval Office (sorry, Marines, none of your guys have held the office of POTUS – must be the haircut).

10.  William Henry Harrison – Harrison’s tenure as POTUS lasted only 32 days, but prior to holding office, he led U.S. Army forces against American Indians at the Battle of Tippecanoe.  Harrison later served in the War of 1812 as a general in the Army.

9.  Franklin Pierce – Although Pierce’s presidency is ranked by some as amongst the worst in our nation’s history, it must not be forgotten that despite the misrepresentations of his political opponents, he served as a competent and steadfast commander in the Mexican-American War.  Pierce refused to abandon the campaign, even after he was seriously wounded in a fall from his horse.

8.  John F. Kennedy – JFK commanded a Motor Torpedo Boat (“PT-109”) against the Japanese in the Pacific during World War II.  After his boat was rammed by a Japanese destroyer, the wounded Kennedy dragged one of his men to safety on a nearby island, actions for which he received the Navy and Marine Corps Medal.  JFK was an early advocate for the use of special operations forces and the US Army’s premier special operations training facility, The John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, at Fort Bragg now bears his name.

7.  George H.W. Bush – “41” served as a United States Naval aviator in World War II.  Despite being hit by anti-aircraft fire, he was able to complete his bombing mission in his Grumman Avenger  before bailing out over the Pacific, where he was later rescued by U.S. forces.  He also put a beating on Saddam Hussein nearly 50 years later.

6.  Zachary Taylor – Taylor served 40 years in the U.S. Army.  He served during the War of 1812 and Indian wars, but gained national fame leading U.S. troops in the Mexican-American War.  Unfortunately, although the nation could have used his strong hand  to help defuse the issues that would ultimately lead to Civil War, President Taylor died just 16 months into his term as President from gastroenteritis.

5.  Andrew Jackson – Like many of the men on this list, Andrew Jackson rode his military glory to a spot in the Oval Office.  However, this should not detract from the reality that Jackson was a badass.  “Old Hickory” served in the Revolutionary War and smaller conflicts of the period, but he gained fame in the War of 1812 in 1815 during the Battle of New Orleans where 5,000 Americans defeated 7,500 British at the cost of 71 casualties to the British 2,037.

4.  George Washington – Although his career as an officer in the colonial militia fighting on the side of the British Army did not start out gloriously, with a mixed set of results during the French and Indian War, General George Washington was able to cobble together, out of large numbers of farmers and militiamen, the Continental Army.   Washington and his group of determined soldiers ultimately won the freedom of the new nation that became the United States of America.  Known for his perseverance and strength of character, General Washington’s experiences as a leader of men served him well as he led a nation as our first President.

3.  Dwight D. Eisenhower – After graduating from West Point, Dwight Eisenhower served as a career officer in the United States Army, including service in World War I.  He was thrust into the role of Supreme Commander for the Allied forces in Europe during World War II, and with this immense responsibility came ultimate glory following the successful D-Day Invasion and defeat of Nazi Germany.  Ike’s military contributions didn’t end when he gain the office of the Presidency; Ike presided over the cessation of hostilities in the Korean War and strengthened America’s conventional and nuclear defenses as the country entered the Cold War.

2.  Theodore Roosevelt – Teddy Roosevelt put together the 1st U.S. Volunteer Cavalry Regiment – the “Rough Riders” – and he personally led the famous charge up San Juan Hill during the Spanish-American War.  T.R.’s role as a colonel in the Rough Riders wasn’t merely a political stunt – he was at the front during the unit’s fighting and inspired his men to aggressive action.  His exploits were validated by becoming the only POTUS to be awarded the medal of honor, posthumously, in 2001.

1.  Ulysses S. Grant – U.S. Grant led Union troops to triumph in the most important war this nation has ever fought – the Civil War.  Sure, Ulysses had a reputation as a hard-drinking general who was largely banished to the frontier during the early stages of the Civil War, but after a string of ineffectual leaders, Abraham Lincoln tapped U.S. Grant to lead the Union forces, and lead them he did – all the way to Appomattox Court House.